Israel Fast Facts

Israel Fast Facts

Israel is located in the Middle East and borders Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt. In contrast to the neighboring countries, Israel is considered a very safe travel destination. A diverse cuisine, exciting culture, varied landscapes and friendly people usually surprise first-time travelers in a very positive way. Israel is a very exciting and worthwhile travel destination. See andyeducation for education in Israel.

Capital City Jerusalem
Size Heartland 22,380 km², occupied areas 6,831 km²
Resident 8,955,300
Official Language Ivrit (Hebrew)
Currency New (Israeli) shekel
Time Zone UTC+2/+3
Telephone Area Code +972

Fast facts to know

  • A passport valid for six months after the trip is required for entry.
  • Security checks at the airport are very extensive, plan enough time.
  • Israel is considered a safe travel destination, but you should avoid proximity to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
  • Israel is the largest importer of cut flowers to Europe.
  • The Dead Sea is 420 meters below sea level and due to the high salt content it swims itself.
  • Jerusalem’s status as the capital is internationally disputed.
  • The city of Be’er Sheva is considered a chess stronghold. Measured against the number of inhabitants, most chess grandmasters in the world live here.
  • Albert Einstein is one of the co-founders of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
  • Israel is an immigrant society.
  • In Israel there are more than 150 nature reserves and 65 national parks.
  • In an international comparison, Israel’s start-up scene is far ahead, only in Silicon Valley there are more start-ups in relation to the number of inhabitants.
  • The most important biblical places of the Christian faith can be found in Israel.

Exciting cities in Israel

  • Jerusalem
  • Bethlehem
  • Haifa
  • Tel Aviv
  • Nazareth
  • Eilat
  • acco

history of Israel

  • As early as 18,000 B.C. there were permanent settlers in what is now Israel.
  • 11-12 Century first archaeologically proven traces of an early or proto-Israelite settlement in the region of Palestine.
  • 1,000 BC According to biblical tradition, Jerusalem is conquered by the Jebusites and chosen as their capital.
  • 165 BC The rebellion of the Maccabees brings Israel another 100 years of national independence.
  • 63 BC the period of Roman supremacy begins.
  • From 636 under Arab rule. Since that time, Palestine has been predominantly inhabited by Arabs.
  • 1099 to 1291 Crusaders rule what they call the “Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem”.
  • Mamluk rule from 1291 to 1517.
  • 1517 to 1918 Ottoman rule.
  • From 1800 beginning of the Zionist movement.
  • 1882 First mass immigration (Alija) of Jews to Palestine.
  • 1901 Establishment of the Jewish National Fund to promote Jewish settlements in Palestine for the first time.
  • 1905 failed Russian Revolution triggers second Aliyah.
  • World War I – important chapter in the founding of Israel: Britain is the first European state to recognize the Zionist goal of a Jewish state in Palestine.
  • In 1933, when the NSDAP came to power, the nationwide persecution of Jews began in Germany.
  • Incredibly cruel and extensive genocide of the Jews during World War II.
  • 1947 Israeli-Arab Civil War (Palestine War).
  • 1948 Foundation of the State of Israel with the following War of Independence.
  • In 1950 Israel declared Jerusalem its capital (Jerusalem is still not recognized as the capital of Israel by the United Nations and the majority of member states).
  • 1956 Suez Crisis.
  • 1967 Six Day War.
  • 1973 Yom Kippur War.
  • 1977 Beginning of the peace process.
  • 1982 Lebanon War.
  • 1987 First Intifada.
  • 2000 Second Intifada.
  • Israel is still at the center of the Middle East conflict.

Climate & travel weather in Israel

  • Transition from the Mediterranean climate to the desert climate.
  • North: Mediterranean (hot, dry summers, mild, wet winters).
  • More rain inland.
  • The further south, the less precipitation.
  • South: extremely high temperatures in summer, high humidity on the coast.
  • Winter uncomfortably cool, with heavy rain on the coast and frost in the highlands.
  • Recommended travel time:
    • March, April, May, September, October.
    • Beach holiday: June-August.

Ideas for trips in Israel

  • Masada Fortress, Judean Desert
  • Jerusalem:
    • Yad Vashem Memorial
    • Western Wall
    • Temple Mount
    • Church of the Holy Sepulchre
    • Bahai Gardens
  • Cruise on the Sea of ​​Galilee
  • Swimming in the Dead Sea
  • Underwater Observatory Marine Park

Food & Drink in Israel

  • Cuisine is an eclectic mix of immigrant cuisines from more than 80 countries.
  • There is no independent Israeli cuisine.
  • Holiday dishes are sumptuous and very delicious.
  • Breakfast is usually lavish. Fresh fruit, eggs, many types of cheese, olives, vegetable salads, humus, yoghurt, but also fish and rolls with jam are part of it.
  • For larger meals, mezze (varied and varied starters and appetizers) and bread are served.
  • Israelis select the dishes one after the other in order to be able to properly enjoy the individual taste of each delicacy.
  • Important types of bread contain only wheat, barley, millet and rye.
  • Typical breads: Mallawah (crispy fried, delicious calorie bombs), Lahuh (light pancakes) and Jahnoon (strudel-like batter with a high fat content).
  • Israeli dinners are usually light.
  • Fish is very popular, fish dishes are an integral part of every feast.
  • Fish is often grilled on charcoal and seasoned with garlic, lemon juice and paprika.
  • Israel’s fruits and vegetables are legendary, very popular: kiwis, mangoes, persimmons, loquats, passion fruit, cheromoya, papayas, dates, figs, pomegranates, strawberries.
  • Milk is an important part of many dishes.
  • No pork – not offered anywhere for religious reasons.
  • Typical spices: cumin, coriander, mint, garlic, onion, turmeric, black pepper, cardamom, chillies.
  • There are delicious desserts.
  • Turkish mocha or tea flavored with fresh mint complete the meal.
  • Freshly squeezed citrus or carrot juice is also often used as a drink.
  • There are excellent local wines.
  • Typical dishes:
    • Felafel (hummus balls fried in floating fat, with salad in a bread bag).
    • Gefilte Fisch (Fish farce with many ingredients that is stuffed into a fish skin or formed into a fish shape)
    • Kebab (seasoned ground beef or mutton in the form of balls).
    • Mazzenknejdl (dumplings made of bread, milk and salt, breaded or unbreaded).
    • Mashi (stuffed eggplant).
    • Shakshuka (dish made from eggs with fresh tomatoes and spices).
    • Sharwarma (Roasted Mutton or Chicken, Salad, Pittah Bread).
    • Shulent (Eastern European bean stew with potatoes, fatty meat).
    • Knisches (dumplings filled with onions, potatoes, seasoned meat).
    • Humus (creamy mashed chickpeas, seasoned with lemon juice, garlic, cumin, tahini).
    • Konafa (pastries with honey syrup, almonds, nuts, pistachios).
    • Krupnik (soup stew made from pearl barley, beans, vegetables, meat).
    • Shishlik (roasted lamb or beef on a skewer).
    • Seniya (lamb or beef in tahini sauce).
    • Tabbouleh (salad made from crushed wheat, with parsley, mint and lemon juice).
    • Blintzes (sweet pancakes filled with cottage cheese).
    • Hamentashen (triangular cookies filled with jam, syrup or icing).

Particularly scenic

  • Caves and chalk cliffs of Rosh Hanikra
  • Red Canyon in Timna Park
  • Negev desert
  • Sorek Cave
  • Bell Caves in Maresha National Park
  • Banias Waterfall, Hermon River
  • The Red Sea, Eilat
  • Arava Depression
  • Avshalom Cave
  • Golan Heights

Israel Fast Facts

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