A country the size of New Jersey containing one of the world's most contested and sacred cities — Jerusalem's Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and Dome of the Rock coexist in the same ancient quarter.
- Capital
- Jerusalem
- Population
- 10,119,400
- Area
- 20,770 km²
- Languages
- Arabic, Hebrew
- Currency
- New Israeli Scheqel (₪)
- GDP
- $583,361M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Hummus, falafel, Meorav Yerushalmi
Annual visitors
4,905,000 (2019)
Safety
Low (1.63/100k)
Big Mac
$6.36
Avg temp
20.0°C
Religion
Judaism
Coast
Coastal
☎ Police 100 · Ambulance 101 · Fire 102
Travel guide
Israel (Hebrew: מדינת ישראל Medinat Yisra'el; Arabic: دولة إسرائيل dawlat ʔisrāʔīl) is a small yet diverse Middle Eastern country. The modern State of Israel was established in 1948 as a homeland for the Jewish people, but the region contains thousands of years of history for many peoples and religions in addition to the Jews. Israel is considered part of the Holy Land (together with areas of Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian territories), and of the Levant and in ancient history of the Fertile Crescent. The three major Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as well as the Baha'i Faith, have strong ties to this land, and their holy and historic sites are major destinations for pilgrims and tourists from around the world. The Israeli population is about 74% Jews, 21% Arabs, and 5% non-Arab Christians and others. Most of the Jews are descended from Olim (returnees from the Jewish Diaspora), and their diverse origins (Russian, German, Moroccan, Yemeni, and Ethiopian, to name a few of the prominent ones) can be seen in various aspects of modern Israeli culture. In contrast to its long ancient history, Israel is a highly urbanized, economically developed, first-world society. It remains in conflict with the Palestinians and some of its other Arab neighbors. Since 1967, Israel has controlled most of the West Bank (often called "Judea and Samaria" in Israel) as well as the Golan Heights. Israel has annexed East Jerusalem and the Golan, but most other countries, exce
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Israel
Best time to visit
March–May and September–November are ideal. Tel Aviv beach season is June–September. Jerusalem is beautiful April–October. Dead Sea year-round. Avoid major Jewish holidays when transportation and sites become very crowded.
Visa
Citizens of USA, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and most Western countries receive 90 days visa-free. Thorough security screening is standard. Passport holders with stamps from certain Arab countries may face additional questions.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (12)
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Major cities
Jerusalem
One of the world's holiest cities for three religions — the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and Dome of the Rock in one walled old city.
Tel Aviv
Israel's Mediterranean party city — Bauhaus White City architecture, Carmel Market, world-class restaurants, and beach culture.
Dead Sea
The lowest point on earth — float effortlessly in the hyper-salty water and slather yourself in mineral mud.