Israel Demographics

Geography
Area: 20,330 sq. km. * (7,850 sq. mi.); about the size of New Jersey .
Cities: Capital –Jerusalem.**Other cities –Tel Aviv, Haifa .
Terrain: Plains, mountains, desert, and coast.
Climate: Temperate, except in desert areas.

People
Population: 6.7 million (September 2003)
Annual growth rate: 1.65% (2003).
Ethnic groups: Jews and non-Arab Christians 5 million, 1.3 million Arabs
Religions: Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Druze.
Languages: Hebrew (official), Arabic (official), Russian, English.
Education: 11 years compulsory. Literacy – 95% (female 93%; male 97%).
Health: Infant mortality rate –7.55/1,000, (2002 estimate). Life expectancy – 78.86 years. female, 81.01 years, male 76.82 years.
Work force (2.3 million): (1Q 2003) Manufacturing – 16.8 %; commerce – 12.8%; education –12.8%; other business services – 12.9%; health and social services –10.2%; community services – 4.7%; construction – 5.5%; transportation – 6.3%; public administration – 5.7%; hotels and restaurants – 4%; banking and finance – 3.4%; agriculture – 1.7%; electricity and water – less than 1%. other — less than 2.2%

Government
Type: Parliamentary democracy.
Independence : May 14, 1948.
Constitution: None.
Branches: Executive –president (chief of state); prime minister (head of government). Legislative –unicameral, Knesset. Judicial –Supreme Court.
Political parties: Labor, Likud, and various other secular and religious parties, including some wholly or predominantly supported by Israel ’s Arab citizens. A total of 12 parties are represented in the 16th Knesset, elected January 2003.
Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy (2002)
GDP: $103 billion (2002).
Annual growth rate: – (negative 1%).
Per capita GDP (2002): $15,770 (at market exchange rate).
Natural resources: Copper, phosphate, bromide, potash, clay, sand, sulfur, bitumen, manganese.
Agriculture: Products –citrus and other fruits, vegetables, beef, dairy, and poultry products.
Industry: Types –high-technology projects–including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics–wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, processed foods, chemicals, diamond cutting and polishing, metal products.
Trade: Exports –$25.8 billion (2002). Exports include polished diamonds, electronic communication, medical and scientific equipment, chemicals and chemical products, electronic components and computers, machinery and equipment, transpot equipment, rubber, plastics, and textiles. Imports (excluding defense imports)–$32.6 billion (2002): raw materials, diamonds, energy ships and airplanes, machinery, equipment, land transportation equipment for investment, and consumer goods. Major partners – U.S. , UK , Germany Imports: U.S. , Germany , Italy

* Including Jerusalem
** Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950. The United States , like nearly all other countries, maintains its embassy in Tel Aviv.