Israel
Capital
Jerusalem (disputed)
Population
~9.3 million
Currency
Israeli New Shekel (ILS)
Quick Facts
- Languages
- Hebrew, Arabic
- Religion
- Judaism, Islam, Christianity
- Climate
- Mediterranean; hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters
Culture & History
Known for: the Holy Land, its tech startup nation, kibbutzim, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Also famous for: Tel Aviv, Dead Sea, and innovation
Food: Hummus
Brief History
Ancient Israel; Roman rule; part of the Ottoman Empire; British mandate; independent state in 1948; ongoing conflict with Palestinians