Israel

Geography

Israel is a country north of the Sinai Peninsula on the Mediterranean. The land has a total area of 22,070 km² (8,521 mi²) and a total coastline of 273 km (169.6 mi). This land area is approximately 88% of the area of Maryland. Israel is thus one of the smallest countries in Asia by area and ranked 153rd worldwide. An exceptionally high proportion of residents (93%) belongs to the urban population. Every tenth inhabitant lives in Jerusalem alone.

Israel lies at an average elevation of 508 meters above sea level. The highest mountain peak (Har Meron) is at 2,224 meters. The country has 6 islands in the open sea. There are direct national borders with the four neighboring countries Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The distance between New York City and the Capital Jerusalem is about 9,180 km (5,704 mi).

The climate in Israel

The climate in Israel is subtropical, so it is much drier and warmer than in the most parts of the US or Central Europe. Only in a few humid months per year is the intensity of rain a bit higher. Depending on the season, the average daytime temperatures range between 17 and 33 degrees. In some parts of the country, the temperature rises to 37 °C. In the colder months, and depending in the region, the temperature drops to 8 °C in a month's average.

• Detailed climate data for Israel and 6 individual regions
• Tsunamis

Languages

Mother tongue	Distribution
Hebrew	63.1 %
Arabic	18.0 %
Russian	14.0 %
other	4.9 %

Religions

Religion	Distribution
Christs	2.0%
Druze	1.6%
other Muslims	17.7%
Jews	74.7%
other	4.0%

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Economy

GDP:	488.53 bn $
Exportations:	142.99 bn $
Importations:	121.63 bn $
› Tourism receipts:	2.66 bn $
› Unemployment rate:	3.5 %
› Inflation rate:	4.39 %
› Corruption index:	63 (moderate)
› Energy consumption:	59.2 bn kWh

Israel is regarded as a so-called pariah state because of its politics and unwillingness to cooperate with the UN. With a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.919, it counts as one of the high developed economies by UN definition. The IMF also shares this classification.

In terms of revenues, it ranks only 33rd in the world and, with an average annual income of 49,290 USD is one of the high-income countries.

Israel is considered one of the most dangerous countries worldwide.

Land use

29% Urban areas:	6,399 km²
25% Agricultural areas:	5,445 km²
6% Forest:	1,428 km²
2% Water areas:	430 km²
40% Others:	8,798 km²

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Transport

Roadways:	19,555 km
Railways:	1,599 km
Commercial harbors:	41
› Airports:	5