Israel

circa 1000 BCE – Kingdom of Israel under King David
586 BCE – Babylonian conquest and exile
70 CE – Second Temple destroyed by Romans
638 CE – Islamic Caliphate takes control
1517–1917 – Ottoman rule
1917 – Balfour Declaration supports Jewish homeland
May 14, 1948 – State of Israel declared; end of British Mandate
1948–49 – First Arab-Israeli War
1967 – Six-Day War; Israel gains control of Gaza, West Bank, Golan Heights
1979 – Peace treaty with Egypt signed (Camp David Accords)
1993 – Oslo Accords signed with PLO
2005 – Israel disengages from Gaza
2020–2024 – Regional normalization deals (Abraham Accords continue); domestic political shifts

Location: Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean
Capital: Jerusalem (international recognition varies)
Language: Hebrew (official), Arabic (special status)
Currency: Israeli New Shekel (ILS)
Population: ~9.8 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Israel Standard Time (IST)

Borders: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Palestinian Territories (West Bank and Gaza Strip)
Landscape: Coastal plains, central hills, Negev desert, Jordan Rift Valley
Water Bodies: Mediterranean Sea, Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret), Dead Sea, Red Sea (Gulf of Eilat)
Notable Natural Features: Mount Hermon, Carmel Mountains, Ramon Crater

Ethnic Groups: Jewish (~74%), Arab (~21%), others (~5%)
Religion: Judaism (majority), Islam, Christianity, Druze (last updated: 2021)
Urban Population: ~92% (last updated: 2023)
Youthful Population: ~27% under age 14 (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Innovation, historical and religious significance, cultural diversity
Cuisine: Falafel, hummus, shakshuka, sabich, kosher foods
Arts: Contemporary dance, film, music, literature, street art
Sports: Football (soccer), basketball, judo, surfing, gymnastics

Economy Type: Advanced, technology-driven
GDP: Approx. $610 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Technology, cybersecurity, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, defense, tourism
Key Exports: Diamonds, electronics, software, medical equipment, agricultural products
Unemployment Rate: ~4.3% (last updated: 2024)
Innovation Hubs: Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem

Government Type: Parliamentary democracy
Head of State: President Isaac Herzog (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral (Knesset)
Constitutional Framework: Basic Laws instead of a formal constitution

Jerusalem: Old City, Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Al-Aqsa Mosque
Tel Aviv: Beaches, nightlife, Bauhaus architecture
Haifa: Bahá’í Gardens, Carmel Mountain views
Nazareth: Christian pilgrimage sites
Dead Sea: Float in salt-rich waters, spa tourism
Eilat: Red Sea diving, desert landscapes

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 9 (last updated: 2023)