Political Overview

Israel is a parliamentary democracy with a multi-party system, where the Prime Minister serves as head of government and the President holds a largely ceremonial role. The country’s legislative body, the Knesset, comprises 120 members elected every four years through proportional representation. Since its founding in 1948, Israel has navigated complex regional dynamics, forging peace treaties with Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994), while continuing to seek resolution of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Jerusalem serves as Israel’s proclaimed capital, hosting the main government institutions, though its status remains a focal point of international diplomatic debate.

Cultural Heritage and Identity

Israel’s cultural landscape is a tapestry woven from millennia of Jewish history alongside vibrant Arab, Druze, and Bedouin communities. Jerusalem’s ancient Old City, the Western Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre draw millions of pilgrims each year, underscoring the nation’s profound religious significance. At the same time, modern Tel Aviv pulses with contemporary art galleries, music festivals, and culinary scenes that blend Middle Eastern flavors with global trends. The country is widely recognized for its contributions to science and technology often dubbed the “Start-Up Nation” and its Nobel Prize laureates in chemistry, economics, and peace are a testament to its global intellectual impact.

Geographical Landscape, Area and Climate

Spanning approximately 20,770 square kilometers (about the size of New Jersey), Israel’s topography ranges from the fertile coastal plain along the Mediterranean Sea to the Negev Desert in the south. The Dead Sea, at 430 meters below sea level, is the world’s lowest exposed land point and a major tourist attraction renowned for its buoyant, mineral-rich waters. Israel’s climate varies from temperate along the coast, with mild, rainy winters and hot, humid summers, to arid conditions in the south and cooler, moister weather in the highlands of the Galilee and Golan Heights. This diversity of landscapes and climates supports a wide array of ecosystems and underpins a robust tourism industry that draws visitors year-round.