 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Info
Regions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Country Guide > Middle East > Israel | |
|
General Information Area 22,145 sq km (8550 sq miles; includes East Jerusalem and the Golan sub-district).
Population 6,631,000 (official estimate 2002). Population Density 306.0 per sq km. Capital Jerusalem. Population: (including East Jerusalem) 680,400 (2002). The Israeli government has designated Jerusalem as the capital, although this is not recognised by the UN, and most foreign embassies are based in Tel Aviv. Geography Israel is on the eastern Mediterranean, bordered by Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic to the north, Jordan to the east, and Egypt to the south. The autonomous Palestinian Authority Region lies mostly on the west bank of the River Jordan. Part of the Gaza strip, in the south of the country, is also administered by the Palestinians. The country stretches southwards through the Negev Desert to Eilat, a resort town on the Red Sea. The fertile Plain of Sharon runs along the coast, while inland, parallel to the coast, is a range of hills and uplands with fertile valleys to the west and arid desert to the east. The Great Rift Valley begins beyond the sources of the River Jordan and extends south through the Dead Sea (the lowest point in the world), into the Red Sea, continuing on into Eastern Africa. Government Republic. The state of Israel was founded in 1948. Head of State: Moshe Katzav since 2000. Head of Government: Prime Minister Ariel Sharon since 2001. Language Hebrew is the official language, spoken by about two-thirds of the population. Arabic is spoken by around 15 per cent of the population. English is spoken in most places and other languages, including French, German, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Yiddish are widely used. Religion 77 per cent Jewish, 15 per cent Muslim, with Christian, Druze and other minorities. Time GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from March to September). Electricity 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are standard; if needed, adaptors can be purchased in Israel. Communications Telephone Full IDD service. Country code: 972. Outgoing international code: 00. Local telephone directories are in Hebrew, but there is a special English-language version for tourists. Mobile telephone GSM 1800 and 900 network operated by Partner Communications (Orange) (website: www.orange.co.il), Cellcom (website: www.cellcom.co.il) and Cellcom Israel LTD. provide coverage practically all over the country, including over parts of the sea. Visitors should note that it is illegal to drive whilst holding a mobile telephone. Fax This service is widely available. Internet ISPs include Internet Gold (website: http://zahav.msn.co.il) and PalNet (website: www.palnet.com). There are many Internet cafes. Telegram Facilities are available to guests in most deluxe hotels in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and in main post offices. Post Airmail to Europe takes up to one week. There are Poste Restante facilities in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Post office hours: May vary but are generally Sun-Tues and Thurs 0800-1200 and 1530-1830, Wed 0800-1330 and Fri 0800-1200. All post offices are closed on Shabbat (Saturday) and holy days, although central telegraph offices are open throughout the year. Press The main dailies are Ha’aretz, Ma’ariv and Yedioth Aharonoth. Newspapers are printed in a variety of languages, including English. Political and religious affiliations are common. The English-language daily is the Jerusalem Post. The Jerusalem Post International Edition is published weekly and goes out to 95 countries. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |
