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Israel: Quick Facts

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News •

Turkey's president calls the war in Gaza an 'ecocide' at the UN climate summit • Nov. 13, 2026, 2:36 PM ET (AP)
Israel hits Gaza hospital and France turns away a settler leader, and other Mideast news • Nov. 12, 2026, 5:02 PM ET (AP)
An Israeli strike on a hospital highlights the devastation to Gaza's healthcare system • Nov. 12, 2026, 1:24 PM ET (AP)
Israeli strike on Gaza hospital kills 6 people, including a doctor and a child, Health Ministry says • Nov. 12, 2026, 12:51 PM ET (AP)
Netanyahu denies Israel is to blame for conditions in Gaza camps, and other Mideast news • Nov. 11, 2026, 2:44 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As Medinat Yisraʾel • Isrāʾīl • State of Israel
Head Of Government Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
Capital (Proclaimed) Jerusalem; international recognition of its capital status has largely been withheld.
Population (2026 est.) 9,141,0001
Currency Exchange Rate 1 USD equals 3.198 Israeli shekel
Head Of State President: Isaac Herzog
Form Of Government multiparty republic with one legislative house (Knesset [120])
Official Language Hebrew3
Official Religion none
Official Name מדינת ישראל (Medinat Yisraʾel; Hebrew); دولة إسرائيل (Dawlat Isrāʾīl; Arabic) (State of Israel)
Total Area (Sq Km) 22,0722
Total Area (Sq Mi) 8,5222
Monetary Unit new Israeli shekel (NIS)
Population Rank (2026) 991
Population Projection 2030 9,949,0001
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2026) 1,072.61
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2026) 414.11
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2024) 92.9% • Rural: (2024) 7.1%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: (2024) 81.1 years • Female: (2024) 85.4 years
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2024) 527,726
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2024) 52,910
1Excludes Israelis in the West Bank.2Excludes the West Bank and Gaza Strip.3Arabic is designated a “special status” language with regulated use in state institutions.

Photos and Videos

Israel
Political map of Israel and surrounding regions, showing international boundaries, major cities, and regions including the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Golan Heights. Neighboring countries Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt are labeled, and a locator map in the corner shows Israel's position in the Middle East. The map notes that the final status of the Gaza Strip and West Bank is to be determined by Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Map highlighting Israel in the Middle East, showing its location along the eastern Mediterranean Sea and marking nearby countries including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The city of Jerusalem is labeled within Israel. Surrounding bodies of water such as the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea are also shown.
Physical map of Israel highlighting major geographic features such as the Negev Desert, Ha-Gadol Depression, Aravah Valley, and hills of Judaea, as well as notable elevations like Mount Meron, Mount Carmel, Mount Tabor, Mount Scopus, and Mount Ramon. The map shows Israel's borders with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt, includes the Mediterranean Sea to the west, and marks the Dead Sea and Gulf of Aqaba. An inset locator map shows Israel's position in the Middle East.
Israel: Ḥula Valley
Dead Sea
Small boats and fishing vessels are docked in the old port of Jaffa, Israel, with historic stone buildings rising up the hillside in the background.
Jerusalem: Damascus Gate
The Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, with visitors gathered and praying at the base of the large ancient stone wall under a clear sky.
Dead Sea Scrolls
Discover a historical milestone in the Israeli-Palestinian relationship with the signing of the Declaration of Principles, 1993
National anthem of Israel
See All Videos, Images, Audio and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
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