Discover Fascinating Israel Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Israel.
Israel
Background
๐ The State of Israel was declared in 1948 after Britain stepped away from Palestine. Just a year later, in 1949, Israel became a member of the United Nations! ๐ Over the following years, the population of Israel grew really fast, mainly because many people moved there from Europe and the Middle East. ๐ In the last 25 years, Israel's economy changed a lot, with many amazing advancements in high-tech industries. ๐ปโจ
Year of Declaration of Israel
1948
Year Israel Joined the UN
1949
Years of Economic Transformation
25
Exports - commodities
Israel is known for its vibrant economy, and one significant part of it is its exports! ๐โจ In 2022, the country exported a variety of valuable commodities. Hereโs what they exported:
- Diamonds ๐
- Integrated Circuits ๐ป
- Refined Petroleum โฝ
- Fertilizers ๐ฑ
- Medical Instruments ๐ฅ
Each of these items plays a vital role not only in Israel's economy but also in global markets, as they are crucial for various industries!
Exports - partners
๐ Let's take a closer look at who Israel does business with! In 2022, the biggest trading partner for Israel was the United States, making up a whopping 25% of its exports! ๐บ๐ธ Hereโs how the other partners stacked up:
- China: 7% ๐จ๐ณ
- West Bank/Gaza Strip: 6% ๐ฟ
- Ireland: 5% ๐ฎ๐ช
- UK: 4% ๐ฌ๐ง
Isn't it interesting how different countries play a role in Israel's trade? ๐
Largest Export Partner
United States (25%)
Second Largest Export Partner
China (7%)
Third Largest Export Partner
West Bank/Gaza Strip (6%)
Fourth Largest Export Partner
Ireland (5%)
Fifth Largest Export Partner
UK (4%)
Exports Partners of Israel in 2022
Capital
๐ Capital of Israel: The capital city of Israel is Jerusalem! ๐๏ธ In a significant move, the United States recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December 2017. However, it's important to note that this recognition did not specify where the boundaries of Israeli sovereignty lie. This decision has sparked discussions and debates around the world! ๐
Recognized Capital City
Jerusalem
US Recognition Date
December 2017
Imports - commodities
๐ฎ๐ฑ Israel's Imports - Commodities (2022)
Israel imports a variety of commodities that are essential for its economy and lifestyle. Hereโs a look at some key imports:
- Diamonds: A sparkling symbol of luxury and wealth, diamonds make a big splash in Israelโs imports. ๐
- Cars: Everyone loves a good ride! Cars are not just a mode of transport but a style statement for many. ๐
- Crude Petroleum: An essential energy source, crude petroleum fuels many industries. โฝ
- Refined Petroleum: The processed version that powers vehicles and heats homes. ๐ฅ
- Garments: Stylish clothing is imported to keep up with the latest fashion trends! ๐๐
Israel enjoys a rich tapestry of imported goods that enhance its economy and culture. Letโs take a closer look at the commodities that connect Israel to the global market! ๐
Climate
Israel's climate is quite interesting! ๐ It experiences a temperate climate overall, which means it has some nice weather in different seasons. However, if you head over to the southern and eastern desert areas, you'll feel a hot and dry atmosphere there! This diversity makes Israel's weather appealing in many regions.
Overall Climate Type
Temperate
Desert Climate Regions
Hot and Dry
Executive branch
๐ฉ In the heart of Israel's government, two key figures lead the way!
Chief of State: The President of Israel is Isaac Herzog, who has been in office since July 7, 2021. ๐ฎ๐ฑ
Head of Government: The Prime Minister, Benyamin Netanyahu, took office on December 29, 2022. ๐๏ธ
Together, they shape the nation's future and represent Israel on the world stage!
President took office
7 July 2021
Prime Minister took office
29 December 2022
Legislative branch
In Israel, the legislative branch is called the Knesset, and it has 120 seats! ๐๏ธ This unicameral body is responsible for making laws and representing the people. It's an essential part of how the country is governed, making sure that every voice is heard loud and clear! ๐ฃ
Total number of seats in the Knesset
120
Natural resources
๐ Israel is rich in various natural resources! Hereโs what the country has to offer:
- Timber ๐ฒ: Wood is useful for building and crafting.
- Potash ๐ง: A key fertilizer ingredient that boosts agriculture.
- Copper Ore โ๏ธ: Important for electronics and construction.
- Natural Gas ๐ฅ: A clean energy source for homes and industries.
- Phosphate Rock ๐ชจ: Essential for making fertilizers that help plants grow.
- Magnesium Bromide ๐งช: A chemical used in various industries.
- Clays ๐บ: Great for making ceramics and bricks.
- Sand ๐๏ธ: Vital for construction and making glass.
These resources play a crucial role in fueling Israel's economy and supporting its industries! ๐ก
Economic overview
๐๏ธ Israel has a high-income economy that's super focused on technology and industrial activities! ๐ However, the nation is facing some challenges due to an economic contraction and fiscal deficits, especially because of the ongoing war in Gaza. ๐ People are getting back to normal as the labor force stabilizes after military mobilization. Meanwhile, the high-tech industry is holding strong and thriving, even though sectors like construction and tourism have taken a hit. ๐
Economic Status
High-income
Focus Areas
Technology and industrial-based
Challenges Faced
Economic contraction, fiscal deficits, and sector impacts
Government type
๐ Israel's Government Type: Did you know that Israel operates as a parliamentary democracy? This means that the government is elected by the people and is responsible to the parliament (the Knesset). Citizens have the power to vote for their representatives who make important decisions and laws for the country! ๐ณ๏ธโจ
Ethnic groups
In Israel, the population is quite diverse! ๐ Here's a breakdown of the major ethnic groups:
-
Jewish people make up 73.5% of the population! ๐ฎ๐ฑ
- 79.7% of these are born in Israel.
- About 14.3% come from Europe, America or Oceania.
- 3.9% are from Africa.
- And 2.1% are born in Asia.
-
The Arab population accounts for 21.1%.
-
Lastly, there are 5.4% of people from other backgrounds.
This mix of cultures makes Israel a beautiful and vibrant place! ๐
Jewish population born in Israel
79.7%
Jewish population from Europe, America, or Oceania
14.3%
Jewish population from Africa
3.9%
Jewish population from Asia
2.1%
Percentage of Arabs in Israel
21.1%
Percentage of others in Israel
5.4%
Ethnic Groups in Israel (2022)
Religions
In Israel, the religion landscape is quite fascinating! ๐ Here's how the population identifies their faith:
- Jewish: 73.5%
- Muslim: 18.1%
- Christian: 1.9%
- Druze: 1.6%
- Other: 4.9%
As you can see, a big part of the populationโover two-thirdsโpractices Judaism! The Muslim community makes up the second-largest group. Itโs interesting to see such diversity in beliefs in one country! ๐
Percentage of Jewish population
73.5%
Percentage of Muslim population
18.1%
Percentage of Christian population
1.9%
Percentage of Druze population
1.6%
Percentage of Other religions
4.9%
Religious Distribution in Israel
Languages
๐ฎ๐ฑ Israel is a wonderful mix of languages! The people of Israel officially speak Hebrew, while Arabic holds a special status under Israeli law. Additionally, English is the most commonly used foreign language, making it easier for visitors and friends from all around the world to communicate! ๐ฌ๐
Official Language
Hebrew
Special Status Language
Arabic
Most Commonly Used Foreign Language
English
Imports - partners
When it comes to imports, Israel has some interesting partners! ๐ In 2022, hereโs how the percentages stacked up for the top trading partners:
- China: 14% ๐จ๐ณ
- United States: 11% ๐บ๐ธ
- Turkey: 7% ๐น๐ท
- Germany: 6% ๐ฉ๐ช
- India: 5% ๐ฎ๐ณ
This colorful mix of countries highlights Israel's international trade relationships! ๐๐ผ
Total Import Partners
5
Percentage from China
14%
Percentage from United States
11%
Percentage from Turkey
7%
Percentage from Germany
6%
Percentage from India
5%
Israel's Import Partners in 2022
Population
๐ Let's take a look at the population of Israel! The total population is 9,402,617 people. That's a lot of individuals! Imagine all the different stories and lives happening in a place with such a vibrant community! ๐
Total Population of Israel
9,402,617
Area
๐ Let's dive into the area of Israel! This country has a total area of 21,937 square kilometers. Out of this, 21,497 square kilometers is land, and there are 440 square kilometers of water. That's a pretty interesting mix of land and water! ๐
Total Area of Israel
21937 sq km
Land Area of Israel
21497 sq km
Water Area of Israel
440 sq km
Area Distribution of Israel
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ Let's take a look at Israel's Real GDP over the last few years! This number tells us how powerful the Israeli economy is when we think about what people can really buy with their money. Here are the latest estimates:
- ๐ 2023: $471.03 billion
- ๐ 2022: $461.808 billion
- ๐ 2021: $432.271 billion
You can see that Israel's economy has been growing steadily! ๐๐ฐ
GDP in 2023
471.03
GDP in 2022
461.808
GDP in 2021
432.271
Israel's Real GDP (PPP) Over Time
Real GDP per capita
Let's explore Israel's Real GDP per capita over the recent years! ๐๐ฐ
In 2021, the Real GDP per capita was $46,100. Fast forward to 2022, it rose to $48,300, and remarkably, it stayed the same in 2023! This shows a consistent growth in Israel's economy, indicating how well the country is doing overall in producing goods and services for its residents. ๐
Here's a quick look at the data:
- 2021: $46,100
- 2022: $48,300
- 2023: $48,300
Isnโt it exciting to see how countries grow? ๐โจ
2021 Real GDP per Capita
$46,100
2022 Real GDP per Capita
$48,300
2023 Real GDP per Capita
$48,300
Israel's Real GDP per Capita (2021-2023)
Imports
๐ Let's talk about Israel's imports! Over the past few years, Israel has seen some changes in the amount of goods it brings in from other countries. Here's a quick look at the estimated values:
- In 2021, Israel imported $125.948 billion.
- The following year, in 2022, that number jumped to $150.804 billion! ๐
- And in the most recent estimate for 2023, imports are projected to decrease slightly to $137.567 billion.
This tells a story of growth and some recent fluctuations in imports. Exciting stuff! ๐
Estimated Imports for 2023
$137.567 billion
Estimated Imports for 2022
$150.804 billion
Estimated Imports for 2021
$125.948 billion
Israel's Imports Over the Years
Exports
๐ Israel's Exports Overview ๐
Did you know that Israel's exports have seen some fluctuations over the past few years? ๐ Here's a quick look at the estimated export values:
- In 2021, the exports were $143.505 billion.
- By 2022, they increased to $166.227 billion! ๐
- And for 2023, the estimated exports are projected to be $156.165 billion.
This data shows how vibrant and changing Israel's export economy is! ๐
Export value in 2023
156.165
Export value in 2022
166.227
Export value in 2021
143.505
Israel's Export Trends
Population growth rate
๐โจ Did you know that Israel's population is growing? The estimated population growth rate for 2024 is 1.58%! This means more people are calling Israel home every year! ๐ With such a steady increase, the country is buzzing with activity and opportunities!
2024 Population Growth Rate
1.58%