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Israel

Official nameState of Israel (Medīnat Yisrā’el)
Date established14 May 1948
RegionAsia — Middle East
Capital cityJerusalem (de facto), Tel Aviv (economic/temporary foreign missions)
Population (2024 est.)~9.8 million
Area22,072 km²
Density~444/km²
CurrencyIsraeli new shekel (ILS)
Official languagesHebrew, Arabic
Time zoneIST (UTC+2), IDT (UTC+3 DST)
Calling code+972
Major religionsJudaism (~74%), Islam (~18%), Christianity (~2%)
Emergency – Police100
Emergency – Rescue/Ambulance101
National symbolMenorah, Star of David
National flowerCyclamen persicum
National animalIsraeli gazelle (Mountain gazelle)
National sportFootball (soccer), basketball
Literacy rate~97%
Human Development Index~0.919
GDP (nominal, 2024)~$620 billion
Major industryTechnology, defense, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, tourism
National festivalIndependence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut) — date varies (April–May)
ClimateMediterranean; hot, dry summers; cool, wet winters

Map of Israel