Israel is located on a small strip of land along the eastern Mediterranean. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, the Gaza Strip in the south west, Lebanon and Syria in the north, the West Bank and Jordan in the east and the Red Sea and Egypt in the South. From north to south Israel is less than 300 miles in length and only 69 miles across at its widest point. Despite its small size, Israel is extremely varied in terrain. Coastal plains give way to central mountains which descend into deserts to the south and east. In general, the north is green and fertile and the south rugged and dry.

The government of Israel is a parliamentary democracy. The chief of state is the president, elected by the Knesset, or parliament, for a term of five years. The prime minister is the head of government and is elected by popular vote for a four-year term. The legislative body is the Knesset, the 120 members of which are elected by popular vote for a four-year term.

Important industries in Israel are: high-tech, wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food (citrus, vegetables, beef, poultry, dairy), cotton, tobacco, and diamond cutting. Major trading partners are the United States, the United Kingdom, Benelux, Hong Kong and the Netherlands.

Israel is about 80% Jewish, with a large Muslim minority of about 15% (mostly Sunni Muslim), about 2% Christian and 3% other religions.