Shalom! Welcome to the land where ancient history meets modern innovation—Israel, a small but remarkably diverse country on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea. There are around 10 million people living here, and the capital is Jerusalem, a city sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, while Tel Aviv serves as the country’s high-tech and financial hub. The official language is Hebrew, which was famously revived as a spoken language in the late 19th century, and Arabic holds a special status in the country.
Israel covers about 22,072 square kilometers (8,522 square miles). This is roughly the same size as the state of New Jersey in the U.S., or about the same size as El Salvador in Central America. In European terms, it is approximately the same size as Slovenia. You can drive from the snowy peaks of Mount Hermon in the north to the coral reefs of the Red Sea in the south in just about six hours!
The most popular sports are Football and Basketball, with the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team being one of the most successful in European history. Their national bird is the Hoopoe, a distinctive bird with a feathered crown, and the Canaan Dog is recognized as the national dog breed.
The flag features two horizontal blue stripes on a white background with a blue Star of David at the center, where the blue and white reflect the design of the traditional Jewish prayer shawl, known as the tallit.
The food is a vibrant fusion of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Jewish culinary traditions from around the world. You must try Falafel, crispy chickpea balls often served in a pita with Hummus, tahini, and Israeli salad. Another favorite is Shakshuka, eggs poached in a spicy tomato and pepper sauce, typically eaten for breakfast. Israel is also famous for its innovative agriculture, producing world-class wines and the sweet, juicy Jaffa oranges.
Israel is home to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth’s surface, where the water is so salty you float effortlessly on the surface. The country is a “Start-up Nation,” having the highest number of start-ups per capita in the world and being the birthplace of technologies like the USB flash drive and Waze. In the south, the Negev Desert hides the Makhtesh Ramon, the world’s largest “erosion crater,” which looks like a giant heart carved into the earth. If you walk through the Old City of Jerusalem, you will find the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock all within a single square kilometer.
From the Bauhaus architecture of the “White City” in Tel Aviv to the quiet kibbutzim of the Galilee, Israel is a land of profound contrasts and deep-rooted heritage. Toda! That means “Thank you!”