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IsraelThe State of Israel Medinat Yisra'el; is a country in the Middle East on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a parliamentary democracy and the world's only Jewish state. Israel is on the eastern Mediterranean, bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt. The Great Rift Valley begins beyond the source of the River Jordan and extends south through the Dead Sea, into the Red Sea. For many, Israel is the Holy Land. more... National name: Medinat Yisra'elLand Area: 8,019 sq mi (20,770 sq km) Capital City:Jerusalem Population:6,276,883 (growth rate: 1.2%); birth rate: 18.2/1000; infant mortality rate: 7.0/1000; life expectancy: 79.3; density per sq mi: 783 Language:Hebrew (official), Arabic, English Government:Parliamentary democracy. Ethnicity/race:Jewish 80.1% (Europe/Americas/Oceania-born 32.1%, Israel-born 20.8%, Africa-born 14.6%, Asia-born 12.6%), non-Jewish 19.9% (mostly Arab) (1996 est.) Religion: Judaism 80.1%, Islam 14.6% (mostly Sunni), Christian 2.1%, others 3.2% (1996 est.)Prime Minister: Ehud Olmert (acting) (2006) Largest city:Jerusalem President: Moshe Katsav (2000) History of IsraelThe earliest known mention of the name 'Israel', probably refering to a group of people rather than to a place, is the Egyptian Merneptah Stele dated to about 1210 BCE. For over 3,000 years, Jews have held the Land of Israel to be their homeland, both as a Holy Land and as a Promised Land. The Land of Israel holds a special place in Jewish religious obligations, encompassing Judaism's most important sites - including the remains of the First and Second Temple, as well as the rites concerning those temples. Starting around 1200 BCE, a series of Jewish kingdoms and states existed intermittently in the region for over a millennium. Recent archeological evidence suggests that the kingdoms of King David and King Solomon may have existed. more... Overview of the Israel's EconomyGDP at PPP:$129 billionLiteracy rate: 95% (2003 est.) Per capita:$20,800 Real growth rate:3.9% Inflation: 0% Unemployment: 10.7% Arable land: 16%. Agriculture: citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products. Labor force: 2.68 million; public services 31.2%, manufacturing 20.2%, finance and business 13.1%, commerce 12.8%, construction 7.5%, personal and other services 6.4%, transport, storage, and communications 6.2%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 2.6% (1996). Industries: high-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles and footwear. Natural resources: timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand. Exports: 34.41 billion (f.o.b., 2004 est.): machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel. Imports: $36.84 billion (f.o.b., 2004 est.): raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods. Major trading partners: U.S., Belgium, Hong Kong, Germany, UK, Switzerland, Italy (2003). Also Read: A Brief insight in The Economy of Israel | Demographics of Israel | Name and flag of Israel | Tourist attractions in Israel | Activities in Israel Fact for TravellersVisa: Passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond intended date of arrival required by all. more... Time Zone: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from March to September). Calling code: 972 Currency: New Israeli sheqel Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are standard; if needed, adaptors can be purchased in Israel. Location: Eastern Mediterranean. Government of IsraelGeography of IsraelIsrael is bordered by Lebanon and Syria in the north, Jordan and the West Bank in the east, and Egypt and the Gaza Strip in the south-west, and has coastlines on the Mediterranean in the west and the Gulf of Eilat (also known as the Gulf of Aqaba) in the south. During the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel captured the West Bank from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Golan Heights from Syria, Gaza Strip (which was under Egyptian occupation), and Sinai from Egypt. It withdrew all troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip on September 12, 2005. The future status of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights remains to be determined. more... Shopping in IsraelThere is a wide choice for shoppers in Israel; and in certain shops, especially in Arab markets, visitors can - and should - bargain. Tourists who buy leather goods at shops listed by the Ministry of Tourism and pay for them in foreign currency are exempt from VAT and receive a 25 per cent discount on leather goods if these are delivered to them at the port of departure. Special purchases include jewelry, diamonds and other precious stones, ceramics, embroidery, glassware, wines, religious articles and holy books. 'Cashback' on purchased items can be claimed from the Customs Office at the airport. more...
Also Read: Religion in Israel | Culture of Israel | Foreign relations of Israel | Military of Israel | Districts of Israel | Getting in Israel | Getting around in Israel | Food and Dining in Israel | Nightlife in Israel | Climate of Israel
Sights The main attractions within Fayyum city are Egyptians living tourist-free lives. Visitors who weren't ossified by the Islamic architecture in Cairo should visit the Mamluk Mosque of Khawand Asal-Bay, about lkm west of the town center along the canal. The restored mosque was named for the favorite concubine of ...
Language Glossary - Arabic
Classical Arabic, Fusha, was the language of pre-Islamic Arabs (back in Al-Jahilyyah, the period of ignorance) and the 7th-century Qur'an. Its complex rules of grammar were not derived until the Umayyad period, when the Islamic Empire rapidly expanded to include peoples of non-Arab origin ...
Near Aqaba: Wadi Rum
Those who most appreciate the majestic grandeur of Wadi Rum revel in its inaccessibility. Few buses and no service come here, and most Jordanians have never been to this area located nearly 300km south of Amman. Buses and service along the Desert Highway can ...
Sights
Yemenieh Reef, just south of the Marine Research Center beyond the port, ranks among die world's best for scoping fish, if that's what you go tor. The new Royal Diving Center (tef. 31 75 30) in the Yemenieh area rents out snorkeling and diving equipment. Most luxury hotels also rent ...
Food
Aqaba's fare is only fair. Fresh fish, the obvious staple of a sea-side town, is actually a rarity here. Because of the low plankton content in the clear northern waters of the Gulf of Aqaba, there are few edible sea creatures afloat. Jordanians are not permitted to fish richer Saudi ...
Accommodations
A question has long circulated among budget travelers (or at least among budget travelers trying to impress other budget travelers): which is higher in Aqaba—temperatures, tan lines, or prices? Sleeping near the beach or in an air-conditioned room will set you back several dinars. Several cheap hotels occupy the streets ...
Practical Information
Aqaba's overheated atmosphere has a discernible effect on human behavior. People drive like idiots here, even more so than in the rest of the country; there are (ignored) road signs telling drivers to lay off their horns. Aqaba is also far more lax about morality than the rest of ...
Orientation
Extending from King Hussein's villa on the Israeli border to the huge, fenced-in port facilities 4km down the arching corniche to the southeast, Aqaba is one elongated beach. Luxury hotels and military complexes have gobbled up a good part of the beach near town. Four countries come together in the ...
Aqaba
Set in a natural amphitheater beneath a curtain of rugged hills, Aqaba is land-locked Jordan's sole toe-hold on the Red Sea. A more spectacular scene than the reddish mountains, however, lurks under the sea: legions of brilliantly colored creatures flit through a surreal universe of coral. Aqaba is an important ...
Al-Madras and Al-Barid
The region around Petra harbors a wealth of minor archeological pleasures, but only those within walking or donkey-riding distance are accessible. All roads in this isolated area lead back to the Kings" Highway, not to outlying sites. The peripheral location of the sites is a ...
Travel Chronicle: Asia Destination GuideShopping in Egypt The most interesting shopping area for tourists in Cairo is the old bazaar, Khan-el-Khalili, specializing in reproductions of... Culture of Egypt Culture of Egypt Egypt's capital city, Cairo, is Africa's largest city and has been renowned for centuries as a center of... Visa for Jordan Visa for Jordan Passports: Passport valid for six months required by all. Visas: Required by all except the following: (a) nationals... Browse the Asia Destination Guide |
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