FACTS

Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon

Area (only Total) total: 20,770 sq km

Climate: temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas

Terrain: Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley

Population: 7,112,359

Main Language (only first): Hebrew

Government type: parliamentary democracy

Capital (Name): Jerusalem

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+2

Independence: 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)

National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May