israel

=Israel=

__Fast facts__
Capital City and Largest City: Jerusalem Area: Currency:New Isreali Shequel Population: 7,184,000 people Government Type: Parlimentary Democracy Language: Hebrew, Arabic Head of Country: President Shimon Peres Head of Country: Prime Minister Ehud Olmet
 * Total Area: 20 770 Km squared
 * Land Area: 20 330 Km squared
 * Water Area: 400 Km squared

__Location__
Israel is located on the east side of the Medeiterranean sea. It is in the region of the Middle East. It is boarded by Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. It is around 20, 770squared km. Located south of Lebanon and north of Saudi Arabia. It is in the northern hemisphere and it is a country that does not have a lot of water included in its area. Out of its area 2% is water.

__Geographical Features__
Israel has many geographical features including the Negev and the Gailee rangers. Its longest river is the Jordan river which runs through the Jordan rift mountains, Mount Hermon and to the sea of Gailee which runs to the Dead sea. The Dead sea is the saltest and the lowest sea or lake in the world and Israel. Mount Hermon is the highest point in Israel.

__Climate__
Israel has a climate that varies widely. In hte winter it can snow and Mt. Hermons peak is covered with snow all year round. Jerusalem recieves about one snowy day a year. The coastal cities usually has the normal Medeiterranean climate which is cold, rainy with humid summers. From May to Septermber rain is very rare in Israel.

__Economy__
Israel which has an average economy has a GDP of about $140.3 billion US dollars. It has about $26,800 per a capita. The unemployent rate in Israel is 8.3%. It has an inflation of -0.1%. Its unemployment rate is 8.3%. Its main industry is oil due to its vast amounts of oil reserves. Israels' main export partners are USA, Belguim and Hong Kong if counted as not part of China. Its' main importing partners are USA, Belguim, Germany, Switzerland, UK and China.

__Government__
Israel runs as a democratic state. The president is voted into parliment like Australia because he or she is the head of the larger party. Israel's constitution is not written down. The country runs as a unicameral govenrment with only the Knesset as a the house which governs. It has 120 seats. Most of the laws that Israel has are Jewish laws and English laws. The government is not in the international crime court because they think it will be biased. The government supports the human rights and liberties though.

__History__
Israel has a very long history but it has been destroyed for a long time. It is a very religious peace of land to Muslims, Christains and Jews because Israel is supposed to be the place were God promised to Abraham and he is the ancestor to all the jews. Muslims also go there because Muhammad, the last prophet sent by Allah lived there. Christains believe it is holy because of their Messiah and Saviour lived their. In fact it was so holy that 3 wars were made to conquer it. It was known as the Crusaders and it was against the Muslims and Christains.It was destroyed by the Romans butwas made again in 1948. This made the people that use to live their to move. This made many battles against Israel and the Hezbollah, the lastest in Lebanon.