The State of Palestine consists of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem claimed as capital, and is recognised as a sovereign state by a majority of UN member countries.
Geography & landscape
Palestine sits in Western Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 6,020 km², it is a compact territory, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, East Jerusalem, lies near coordinates 31.95°, 35.23°.
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 Palestine.
People & society
The population of Palestine is around 5.3M. 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.
The official language is Arabic, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Palestine is structured as a semi-presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in East 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 Palestine 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 East 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 Palestine 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 Palestine through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, East Jerusalem, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +970, and clocks are set to the EET (UTC+2) time zone. ISO standards identify Palestine as PS (alpha-2) and PSE (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 | East Jerusalem | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Western Asia | — |
| Population | 5.3M | people |
| Area | 6,020 | km² |
| Currency | Israeli Shekel (ILS) | — |
| Calling code | +970 | international dialling |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) | standard time |
| Government type | Semi-presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | PS | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | PSE | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 31.95 | degrees |
| Longitude | 35.23 | degrees |
Did you know?
Palestine has been recognised as a non-member observer state by the United Nations General Assembly since November 2012.
