Israel Geography: A Comprehensive Overview of the Land

Geography of Israel Browse the article Geography of Israel

Introduction to Geography of Israel

Israel is a country in southwestern Asia, in an area of the world called the Middle East.

Israel, or State of Israel, a country in southwestern Asia. It is a predominantly Jewish state and one of the few non-Arab nations in the Middle East. Israel was established in 1948 in Palestine, a former British mandated territory. Its creation, sanctioned by the United Nations, was the fulfillment of a long-held Jewish dream for a homeland again in the Holy Land, a homeland open to all the Jews of the world. With the emergence of Israel came a bitter Arab-Israeli conflict, the Arabs protesting the loss of land long occupied by them. Four Arab-Israeli wars have since been fought, the last one occurring in 1973.

Israel borders on Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. The armistice lines agreed upon at the end of fighting in 1949 served as boundaries until the Six Day War of 1967. The area within these boundaries is 8,130 square miles (21,056 km2). The Six Day War ended with Israel occupying the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, East Jerusalem and all Jordanian territory west of the Jordan River (the West Bank), and the Golan Heights in Syria. The Sinai, largest of the captured areas, was returned to Egypt in stages during 1974–82. In 1994, following a peace agreement with the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip and of Jericho (in the West Bank) ended. Further peace agreements in 1995 led to the Israeli withdrawal from most of the Palestinian areas of the West Bank.

Physical Geography

Land

Israel has a variety of landforms. The Mediterranean coast is a relatively flat, fertile plain, edged by areas of sand dunes near the sea. It is extremely narrow—less than one mile (1.6 km)—near Haifa, where Mount Carmel rises abruptly, but attains widths of 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 km) elsewhere. Most of Israel's population and industry is concentrated on the plain.

East of the plain is a region of hills and low mountains. It includes virtually all of the region of Galilee and extends southward along the edge of Samaria and Judea to the Negev. Much of the land is rolling terrain, less than 2,000 feet (600 m) above sea level. Israel's highest peak is 3,962-foot (1,208-m) Mount Meron in northern Galilee. Across southern Galilee runs the historic and productive Valley of Jezreel, or Esdraelon.

Facts in brief about IsraelCapital: Jerusalem.Official languages: Hebrew and Arabic.Area: 8,550 mi2 (22,145 km2), not including 2,700 mi2 (7,000 km2) of Arab territory occupied since 1967. Greatest distances—north-south, 260 mi (420 km); east-west, 70 mi (110 km). Coastline—170 mi (273 km).Elevation: Highest—Mount Meron, 3,963 ft (1,208 m) above sea level. Lowest—shore of the Dead Sea, about 1,373 ft (419 m) below sea level.Population: Current estimate—7,250,000; density, 848 per mi2 (327 per km2); distribution, 92 percent urban, 8 percent rural. 2006 official government estimate—7,037,500. Population figures do not include people living in occupied Arab territories, except for Israeli citizens.Chief products: Agriculture—citrus and other fruits, cotton, eggs, grains, poultry, vegetables. Manufacturing—chemical products, electronic equipment, fertilizer, finished diamonds, paper, plastics, processed foods, scientific and optical instruments, textiles and clothing. Mining—potash, bromine, salt, phosphates.National anthem: "Hatikva" ("The Hope").Flag and coat of arms: Israel's flag has a blue Star of David, an ancient Jewish symbol, on a white background. There are two blue horizontal stripes, one is above and the other below the Star of David. The colors are those of a tallit (prayer shawl). The coat of arms shows the Menorah (ancient holy candleholder) and olive branches. Hebrew letters spell Israel.Money: Basic unit—new shekel. One hundred agorot equal one new shekel.

The most desolate part of Israel is the Negev, a wedge-shaped region south of Beersheba. It is largely a land of barren plains and scattered low mountains, with few settlements or towns. The Negev accounts for about half of Israel's area.

Along the entire eastern edge of the country runs a deep rift valley, part of the Great Rift Valley system that extends through the Red Sea and across much of eastern Africa. Israel's section north of the Dead Sea is known as the Jordan Valley; its southern section, the Arava. Part of the Jordan Valley above the Sea of Galilee is also known as the Hula Valley. Most of the rift valley's floor lies below sea level and is flanked by cliffs and sharp escarpments. The surface of the Dead Sea, with the lowest elevation on earth, rests more than 1,300 feet (400 m) below sea level.

Water

Except for the Jordan River, Israel's rivers are short and small and generally flow only during winter. The Jordan River, with headstreams in Lebanon and Syria, begins in the northern part of the rift valley, flows southward into the Sea of Galilee, and continues to the Dead Sea. Water diverted from the Sea of Galilee by the National Water Carrier, an aqueduct system, serves cities and irrigated areas on the coastal plain and in the northern part of the Negev. There are no permanent rivers in the Negev.

Climate

The climate of northern and central Israel is Mediterranean, resembling that of southern California. Summers are hot and dry—virtually no rain falls May through October. August is the hottest month, with temperatures averaging 75° to 80° F. (24° to 27° C.) and daytime highs reaching 90° to 100° F. (32° to 38° C.). The hottest area is the Jordan Valley.

Winters in the Mediterranean region are short and cool and bring almost all the moisture that falls in Israel. During January, the coldest month, temperatures average around 50° F. (10° C.), varying slightly with location. Only occasionally—mainly in the north—do temperatures drop below freezing. Precipitation consists almost entirely of rain and totals 20 to 30 inches (500 to 750 mm) a year. A few areas receive more; some, especially in the south, receive less.

The climate of the Negev is considerably hotter and drier than that of the Mediterranean region and increases in severity toward the south and southeast. In the extreme south and in the rift valley as far as the Dead Sea, August daytime highs often exceed 110° F. (43° C.). Winters are brief and mild. Rainfall in the Negev decreases from less than 10 inches (250 mm) in the north to 1 inch (25 mm) in the south and in the rift valley.

Economy

Israel has a mixture of government ownership and regulation, private enterprise, and cooperative and communal enterprises. From the founding days of Israel, the government has played the decisive role in economic development.

Working closely with the government are such national institutions as the Jewish Agency and the Jewish National Fund. Both raise funds abroad and are jointly involved in land development, settling of immigrants, and related social and economic matters. About 90 per cent of all the land in Israel is owned by the state and the Jewish National Fund. Also playing a major role in the economy is the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor). It represents about 85 per cent of the labor force and operates many businesses.

By applying great skill and much energy, the Israelis have greatly improved their once impoverished land and expanded their economy. They have contended with many difficult problems, including a severe lack of natural resources, the absorption of some two million immigrants, enormous defense expenditures, and the continuing threat of war.

Growth of the economy was exceptionally rapid during 1948–72. Much of Israel's development has been made possible by the vast sums of money contributed by Jews in other countries, especially the United States. Large amounts were also contributed by West Germany during 1953–65 as restitution payments for Nazi atrocities. Loans, grants, and other kinds of aid from the United States and other foreign governments have also been significant.

Since 1972, Israel's economic growth has slowed considerably, largely due to rising rates of inflation, mounting trade deficits, declining foreign reserves, and vastly increased military spending.

Manufacturing

was poorly developed at the time of the state's creation, but it has grown to be the leading economic activity. It generally provides employment for about a fifth of the labor force and is responsible for a similar share of the gross domestic product (GDP). The largest concerns are owned primarily by the government or the Histadrut. Tel Aviv and the surrounding area form the chief industrial center.

Israel's heavy industries include petroleum refining, metal smelting, and the manufacturing of cement, chemicals, and fertilizers.

Most of the heavy industries are in the Haifa area. Israel began to rapidly develop specialized manufacturing industries in the late 1960's, after the 1967 war. They were planned specifically to provide new products for export and for the military in order to gain greater national security. Many of these industries are technical and scientific, linked to research at universities and institutes. Electronics, one of the fastest growing, now produces many products, both civilian and military, ranging from computer components to complex missile control systems. The manufacturing of small jet aircraft is important, as are metalworking and the making of such chemicals as pharmaceuticals and pesticides.

Of particular importance, especially because of its export significance, is the multimillion-dollar diamond cutting and polishing business. It began with the immigration of highly skilled craftsmen fleeing Europe after World War II. Today, Israel is one of the world's largest suppliers of cut diamonds.

Agriculture

In the early years after independence, Israel was largely an agricultural country. Although farming has expanded greatly since then, its relative importance has declined because of the growth of other industries. Agriculture now accounts for about 5 per cent of the labor force and a slightly smaller share of the GDP.

Only about a fifth of the land is suitable for farming, and of that about half is irrigated. The rest of the country is too dry and has little or no potential for irrigation because of limited water supplies.

Israel's farms provide most of the country's food needs, and there is a surplus of some products for export. The production of grains, vegetable oils, and beef falls far below national needs. Many kinds of fruits are grown, including citrus fruits, table and wine grapes, olives, avocados, and bananas. Citrus fruits, particularly Jaffa oranges and grapefruit, are especially important and make up a principal export. Vegetables are also widely grown. Commercial crops include sugar beets, cotton, peanuts, and tobacco. Poultry, cattle, and sheep are the chief animals raised.

Some farms in Israel are privately owned and operated, but most farming is done by cooperative settlements on land leased for long terms from the state or the Jewish National Fund. Two kinds of settlements account for most of the farm population and acreage. They are the moshav (plural: moshavim) and the kibbutz (kibbutzim). A moshav is a cooperative settlement where each member family lives individually and works a separate piece of land, but buys and sells everything through cooperatives. A kibbutz is a settlement where living is communal, property is held in common, and work is shared equally by members. Since the late 1960's many kibbutzim have established factories and processing plants on their land to supplement farm income.

Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

Fishing is a small but moderately growing industry. The domestic catch is gradually replacing imported fish; it comes mainly from Mediterranean waters, from the Sea of Galilee, and from ponds, where fish are raised scientifically.

Forests are virtually nonexistent and there is no lumbering industry. Only small groves and the remnants of native forests are found today, mostly in the higher parts of Galilee. Reforestation programs are carried on by the government and the Jewish National Fund. Most of the trees planted have been pine, cypress, and eucalyptus.

Minerals occurring in commercially usable amounts are very limited. Phosphates are mined in the central Negev, and the Dead Sea's water, which contains about 25 per cent salt, yields mainly potash, bromine, and magnesium chloride. A large chemical plant near Arad utilizes Dead Sea salt and phosphate rock from the desert. Only minor crude oil and natural gas deposits have been discovered and tapped. All mineral resources are the property of the state.

Transportation

Israel has an extensive system of roads and highways. Routes are most numerous in the northern and central sections. The few roads that serve the Negev are largely unpaved. Trucks are the chief carriers of cargo; buses provide most of the passenger service.

Railways, which are state-owned, are not heavily used except on the Tel Aviv-Haifa run. Other lines go to Jerusalem and as far south as the Beersheba area, where the railway is gradually being extended into the Negev, toward Elat.

The Israeli merchant marine is relatively large and growing rapidly. Chief ports are Haifa and Ashdod on the Mediterranean Sea. Together, they handle most of Israel's foreign trade, excluding imports of petroleum. Elat is Israel's major petroleum port and handles Asian and African trade. Pipelines carry petroleum from Elat to the Mediterranean ports, where the oil is either transshipped or refined for domestic use.

El Al is Israel's international airline; Arkia provides domestic service. The only international airport is at Lod (Lydda), southeast of Tel Aviv.

Communications

are well developed in Israel. In addition to providing news, information, and entertainment, the media are a principal means of promoting patriotism and a feeling of unity among Israel's culturally diverse people.

The Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), which is owned by the government, is in charge of civilian radio and television broadcasting. Programs are mainly in Hebrew, but some are in Arabic and other languages. The IBA also beams radio programs abroad.

Postal, telephone, and telegraph services are operated by the government. The press is run privately and is free of government control, except in matters of military security.

Foreign Trade

One of Israel's major problems is a large gap in its annual balance of payments. It is caused mainly by heavy defense spending abroad and the importing of large amounts of raw material, industrial goods, and machinery. Their high total cost is only partly offset by Israel's exports, tourist trade, foreign contributions and loans, and reparation payments. Exports include polished diamonds, citrus fruit, processed foods, textiles, clothing, electronic products, and chemicals.

The United States is Israel's most important single trading partner, both for imports and for exports. The bulk of the nation's foreign trade, however, is with the countries of the European Union.

Currency

Israel's basic currency unit is the new shekel.

The People

The Jews of Israel belong to two main groups: the Ashkenazim, westernized Jews, with a European background; and the Sephardim, from North Africa and the Middle East. “Sephardim” was originally the name given in Europe to Jews from Spain, who, after they were expelled in 1492, settled largely in Africa and Asia. The Sephardim are in the majority. However, the founders of Israel were from Europe; immigrants of this group are generally better educated and skilled in modern technology. The Sepharidm consequently have poorer jobs and housing and hold fewer positions of leadership.

Conflict developed between the Ashkenazim and Sephardim in the 1970's following a wave of immigration of highly educated Russian Jews who competed with the Sephardim for jobs. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, a new wave of Russian Jews entered Israel.

Population

In 1995 Israel had a population of 5,544,523. The population density was about 683 persons per square mile (263 per km2)—about nine times that of the United States. All but about 10 per cent of the people lived in urban places. The greatest urban conglomeration was Tel Aviv and vicinity, with about one-third of the total population.

About one-quarter of the Israeli Jews are Sabras, or native-born. (The word is the name of a fruit that is tough on the outside and sweet on the inside.) About 20 per cent of the population is Arab. Arab Israelis have full citizenship and in most ways are fully integrated into the life of the country, but their position is uncomfortable due to the historic animosity between Israel and the Arab countries. Some of the Arabs are nomadic or seminomadic Bedouins. The government has a long-term program for settling them in villages and bringing them into the labor force. The fact that the Arabs have a much higher birth rate than the Jews causes concern over maintaining Israel's Jewish identity in the future.

Language and Religion

Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages. Hebrew is taught to all immigrants, but many never master it and continue to use their native tongues.

The religion of virtually all Jews, at least nominally, is Judaism. The Arabs are largely Muslim, mainly of the Sunnite branch. Christian Arabs make up a small percentage of the population. There is a small group of Druses. Israel contains sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Free access is granted to all sites.

Education

There are three types of schools—state schools, religious state schools, and religious private schools. The private schools are heavily subsidized by the government. There are separate state schools for Jews and for Arabs. Primary school lasts six years. Secondary school also lasts six years—the first four, which are compulsory, provide a general curriculum; the last two have a specialized curriculum of either academic, technical and vocational, or agricultural studies. The literacy rate among Jews is about 90 per cent; in Arab communities, about 70 per cent.

The leading institutions of higher learning are the Technion (in Haifa), the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv University. The Weizmann Institute of Science (in Rehovoth) is a world-renowned research center.

Way of Life

The arid, long-neglected land was made productive by early Zionist immigrants, who founded numerous pioneer kibbutzim settlements. Gradually, the country took on a more urban character, but when undeveloped new territory was acquired in the 1967 war, many new kibbutzim were established.

The Histadrut, to which more than a third of the population belong, is a major influence on Israeli life. In addition to trade union activities, economic activities, and social welfare, the Histadrut also has an extensive program of education and culture. It works with immigrants, operates technical high schools, and subsidizes performing arts. Its sports affiliate promotes athletic activities.

Israelis give strong support to all cultural activities. Music, dancing, and the theater are especially popular. The number of books published per capita is among the highest in the world. Both public and private interest in archeology runs high because of the significance of ancient Hebrew artifacts and structures in early Jewish history.

Government

Israel has no written constitution, but under a number of fundamental laws passed since the state was formed in 1948 it is a parliamentary democracy.

Supreme authority rests with the Knesset (assembly), a single-chamber legislature elected for four years under proportional representation. All Israeli citizens of 18 and over can vote. The Knesset elects the president of the republic for a five-year term. His powers are mainly ceremonial. Executive power is exercised by the prime minister and cabinet, responsible to the Knesset. The prime minister is chosen by the Knesset through a parliamentary system.

The judiciary includes labor courts, magistrates' courts, district courts, and the Supreme Court. The jury system is not used. There are also Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Druse religious courts.

For purposes of local government, the country is divided into six districts. These do not include the occupied territories, which are administered by the defense and police forces.