Fast Facts About Israel
Full Name: State of Israel
Capital City: Jerusalem
Area: 20,770 sq km, 8,019 sq miles
Population: 7,700,000
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +2
Languages: Hebrew (official), Arabic (official), English (other)
Religion: Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze
People: Jews (76%), Muslims (16.1%), Christians (3.4%) and Druze
Currency: New Israeli Shekel ( ₪ NIS). For current exchange rate, see here
Electricity: 220 V
Electric Plug: European plug with two circular metal pins
Click here to view a comprehensive interactive map.
Time Difference
The time anywhere in Israel is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Vaccinations and Health
There is no need for vaccinations or immunizations against diseases prior to visiting Israel beyond the vaccinations North Americans routinely get against childhood diseases. Israel has nationalized health care and the health care system itself is recognized internationally as comparable to the United States and Western Europe. In the case of a medical emergency in Israel, dial 101 for Magen David Adom (ambulance).
Electricity
Israel works on 220v, America works on 110v. In order to use devices you need both converters and adapters. Adapters adapt the plug to fit into the Israeli socket. (Israel plugs have 2 round pins while American plugs have 2 flat plugs.) Converters convert the electricity. Most modern electronic devices (cameras, laptops…) have a built in converter so you will only need the adapter. Most hotels have special plugs for hairdryers and shavers.
Weather
The weather in Israel varies greatly based on season and location throughout the country. For summer trips we recommend bringing lots of shorts and t-shirts while for winter trips we urge participants to bring lots of layers in order to be prepared for many different climates.
Main Cities
Jerusalem, Israel's capital (population 773,000), has stood at the center of the Jewish people’s national and spiritual life since King David made it the capital of his kingdom some 3000 years ago. Today it is a flourishing, vibrant metropolis, the seat of the government and Israel’s largest city.
Tel Aviv-Yafo (population 403,700), which was founded in 1909 as the first Jewish city in modern times, is today the center of the country’s industrial, commercial, financial and cultural life.
Haifa (population 265,600), a known coastal town since ancient times, is a major Mediterranean port and the industrial and commercial center of northern Israel.
Be'er Sheva (population 194,300), named in the Bible as an encampment of the patriarchs, is today the largest urban center in the south. It provides administrative, economic, health, education and cultural services for the entire southern region.
This trip is a gift from Taglit-Birthright Israel.
