Official Name: State of Israel Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon. Capital: Jerusalem Area: total: 20,770 sq km land: 20,330 sq km water: 440 sq km Lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m. Highest point: Har Meron 1,208 m.

Baha'i Shrine and garden, Israel More pictures Purchase this poster

Population: 6,426,679 (July 2007 est.) Nationality: Israeli(s) Ethnic groups: Jewish 80.1% (Europe/America-born 32.1%, Israel-born 20.8%, Africa-born 14.6%, Asia-born 12.6%), non-Jewish 19.9% (mostly Arab). Religions: Jewish 80.1%, Muslim 14.6% (mostly Sunni Muslim), Christian 2.1%, other 3.2%. Languages: Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language.

Temperate. Hot and dry in the southern and eastern desert areas.

Government type: Parliamentary democracy Independence: 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration). National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May.

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