Israel is a land and a people. The history of the Jewish people, and its roots in the Land of Israel, spans some 35 centuries. In this land, its cultural, national and religious identity was formed; here, its physical presence has been maintained unbroken throughout the centuries, even after the majority was forced into exile. With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Jewish independence, lost 2,000 years earlier, was renewed



System of Government

Israel is a parliamentary demmocracy with legislative, executive and judicial branches. The head of the state is the president, whose duties are mostly ceremonial and formal; the office symbolizes the unity and sovereignty of the state. The Knesset, Israel's legislative authority, is a 120-member unicameral parliament which operates in plenary session and through 15 standing committees. Its members are elected every for years in universal nationwide elections. The Government is charged with administering internal and foreign affairs. It is headed by a prime minister and is collectively responsible to the Knesset.



Geography

Israel is located in the Middle East, along the eastern coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt. It lies at the junction of three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. Long and narrow in shape, the country is about 290 miles (470km.) in length and 85 miles (135km.) in width at its widest pooint. Although small in size, Israel encompasses the varied topographical features of an entire continent, ranging from forested highlands and fertile green valleys to mountainous deserts, and from the coastal plain to the semitropical Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Approximately half of the country's land area is semi-arid. Israel's climate is characterized by much sunshine, with a rainy season from November to April. The rech variety of Israel's plant and animal life reflects its geographical location as well as its varied topography and climate.