Israel is a small Middle Eastern country between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River, founded in 1948, with deep religious significance for Judaism, Christianity and Islam centred on Jerusalem.
Geography & landscape
Israel sits in Western Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 20,770 km², it is a smaller nation, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Jerusalem, lies near coordinates 31.5°, 34.75°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Western Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Israel.
People & society
The population of Israel is around 9.7M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
Israel recognises multiple official languages — Hebrew and Arabic — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
Israel is structured as a parliamentary republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Jerusalem, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Israel is the Israeli Shekel (ILS). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Jerusalem and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Israel shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Israel through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Jerusalem, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +972, and clocks are set to the IST (UTC+2) time zone. ISO standards identify Israel as IL (alpha-2) and ISR (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇮🇱, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Jerusalem | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Western Asia | — |
| Population | 9.7M | people |
| Area | 20,770 | km² |
| Currency | Israeli Shekel (ILS) | — |
| Calling code | +972 | international dialling |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+2) | standard time |
| Government type | Parliamentary republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | IL | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | ISR | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 31.5 | degrees |
| Longitude | 34.75 | degrees |
Did you know?
Israel has the highest number of museums per capita of any country in the world — over 200 for a population under 10 million.
