After experiencing two years of recession in 2001 and 2002 due to the global economic slowdown, IT crisis and inner security problems, the Israeli economy has recovered since 2003. The GDP growth rate was 1.3% in 2003, 4.3% in 2004 and 4.2% in 2005. The IMF forecasts a growth of 3.9% in 2006. High technologies sector is growth's main driving force and foreign investments pick up again. Unemployment remains high, it touched 10.4% of the active population in 2004. Despite the difficult overall political situation, Israel has an open, diversified and modern economy.
The agriculture sector employs 2% of the population. The country's main crops are fruits and vegetables, that are largely exported, cereals, wine and breeding. The dry climate and necessity to irrigate is a permanent source of conflict with Palestinians and the neighbouring countries. High tech industries represent 40% of industrial exports and 120 israeli companies are Nasdaq quoted (what makes Israel rank third in the world on this index, behind the United States and Canada). Israel's other important activity sectors are diamonds cutting and trading, textile and tourism. Tourism is still sustained, despite the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The pharmaceutical sector has been registering good results since Israel specialized in generic medicines.
The Israeli economy is very open: the country signed a free trade agreement with both the United Sates and European Union. Israeli External trade represents half of its GDP. The country largely imports finished products and raw materials. Its three first trade partner countries are the United States, Belgium and Germany. The European Union is Israel's largest trade partner with 31% of its exports and 40% of its imports. The country mainly imports precious stones, high tech products, capital and transport goods as well as hydrocarbons.
Israel mainly exports precious stone (diamonds, cultured pearls...represent 37,3% of its exports), and hight tech products.
Population
| Main Cities |
Population |
| Jerusalem |
633,000 |
| Tel Aviv |
357,000 |
| Haifa |
247,000 |
| Beer Sheva |
141,000 |
| Total population (millions): |
6.8 |
| Source: World Bank 2004 |
|
| Urban population: |
92% |
| Source: World Bank 2004 |
| Average annual population growth: |
1.6% |
| Source: World Bank 2004 |
| Surface area (km²) : |
21,060 |
|
Languages
Official language: Hebrew.
The spoken languages are: Hebrew, Arabic, English, French and Russian.
Free translation tools in Israel :
Babylon
Free English-Hebrew-English dictionary
|
Religion
Religious practises : Jews 82.1%
Sunni Muslims 10.2%
Shiite Muslims 3.8%
Christians 2.2%
Others 1.7% |
Political system
Israel is a parliamentary democracy. The Head of State is elected by the parliament. The single chamber of the parliament is the Knesset (120 members).
Government location: Tel Aviv
Head of State: President Moshe Katzav, since July 31, 2000
Prime Minister: Ariel Sharon, since March 2, 2001. |
| Number of visitors in Israel |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
World rank |
| Number of visitors (1000) |
862 |
1063 |
1506 |
n.a. |
| Source : World Tourisme Organization, data available in November 2005 | |
Tourist sites
- Nazareth: numerous religious monuments (Nazareans' church)
- Tel Aviv and Jaffa: Bat Yam esplanade, Bialik museum, beaches
- Jerusalem: Via Dolorosa, the museum of Islamic Art, David's tower, the Wall of Lamentations
- Akko: Persian garden, Turkish aqueduct
- the Dead Sea (Masada's park).
For more information about tourism in Israel , check out the following web site(s) :
Israel Ministry of Tourism
Informations portal on tourism in Israel
|
Food
Traditional dishes
The israeli food is very close to the Middle East food. The dishes are usually quite spicy. The Israeli food is also partially inspired from Central Europe's recipes.
The Caviar of eggplant
Baba ghannou? puree of eggplant with lemon juice. It is traditionally served in a plate or in a special hors d'oeuvres dish, splashed with olive oil, some chopped onion and chiselled parsley as a starter with pita bread
Taratour: sesame sauce. The taratour is usually served with oven cooked fish, and fried vegetables. It is essential for the preparation of the puree of chickpeas (hummus) or the puree of eggplant (baba ghannou?.
Food-related taboos
Eating pork is prohibited and the food has to be kosher. | |
