Israel is located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Lebanon to the north, Egypt to the south, and Jordan and Syria to the east. The country is approximately 8,550 square miles in land area. Israel is a blend of ancient and modern worlds, with a superior communications infrastructure and excellent roads linking all towns.
Public transportation includes taxis for local or inter-city travel, an extensive urban and inter-city bus system and a modern rail system. Ben Gurion International Airport is among the most modern in the Middle East, as is the national airline, El-Al.
Israel's rich religious history draws Christians and Jews from around the world. The capital city of Jerusalem is sacred to Muslims, Christians and Jews alike, all of whom share a rich and often tumultuous history. Hiking, climbing and scuba diving are popular tourist activities. Beachgoers frequent the Mediterranean Sea, Dead Sea and Red Sea.
Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews and Arabs form Israel's diverse ethnic culture. The official languages are Hebrew and Arabic, though English is also widely spoken. Visitors are also likely to hear Russian and other East European languages on the streets and in the market places.
The climate and weather is generally temperate, with hot summers. Winters in the north are cold with occasional snow. Israel's coastal region is humid in the summer and rainy in the winter. Summer in the desert south is very hot, with temperatures reaching over 40 C (104 F). Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant. Average temperatures are around 22 C (70 F).
Israel's government is designed after the British parliamentary model. The 120-seat Knesset (parliament) passes legislation and appoints the president as head of state. The cabinet, headed by the prime minister, exercises the government's executive power. Since declaring its independence in 1948, Israel and its Arab neighbors have struggled to coexist. The autonomous Palestinian Authority regions in parts of Gaza and the West Bank are sites of constant friction between Palestinians and Israelis, resulting in terrorist attacks. Israel last fought a war in July-August 2006 when its forces invaded Lebanon in response to a Hizballah attack.
Prices for most goods and services are comparable to other Western locations, with the exception of food. Expect to pay up to double for meals. Hotels are plentiful in the major cities.
Remain acutely aware of your surroundings and avoid trips in and around the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Bus travel is not recommended - buses and bus stops are frequent terrorist targets.
.
Intelligence Officers at iJET are currently monitoring local conditions in Israel to provide a level of information that surpasses any available from other public sources, including the U.S. State Department. Free from political constraints or concerns, our data provides unfiltered information vital for every traveler.
Travelers to Israel or those considering travel to Israel are strongly advised to purchase an Intelligence Brief for the most timely and concise information available on the country.
To purchase and immediately download the latest Intelligence Brief for the country -- Click Here
Those traveling to this country or any other region are also advised to sign-up for a Destination Tracker to have their travels monitored and any relevant updates immediately forwarded to them, wherever they are in the world!
To sign-up for a Destination Tracker, which includes Intelligence Briefs for the countries you will visit --Click Here