The State of Israel (Medinat Yisrael) is a Western Asian country home to approximately 7.2 million people, and is the world’s only Jewish state. Bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Lebanon to the north, Syria and Jordan to the east, and Egypt on the southwest, Israel encompasses a total land mass of 22,072 square kilometers—making it the 151st nation in the world in terms of total size, but 34th in terms of population density (324 per square kilometer). Israel ranks the highest of all Middle Eastern countries on major measures of human development (such a literacy, education, and infant mortality), as well as strongest in terms of freedom of the press, health care, and economic opportunity. Israel’s capital (and largest) city of Jerusalem is considered the seat of government, while its second largest city of Tel Aviv is considered the nation’s major financial center. The country’s official languages are Hebrew and Arabic, with Hebrew dominating communications (Arabic being spoken by a small minority of immigrants from Arab lands), and the majority of Israel’s populace being conversant in English.

Historically, the nation of Israel has its roots in steps taken by the League of Nations after World War I, at which time the League approved the British Mandate of Palestine. The intent of the mandate was the creation of "a national home for the Jewish people." This Mandate of Palestine was officially divided into two states (one Jewish, one Arab) via United Nation’s approval in 1947. While the Arab League rejected the partition, Israel declared its independence in May of 1948, being first recognized by the United States and then the Soviet Union. Israel was admitted as a member of the United Nations on May 11, 1949.

Today, Israel is a representative democracy headed by President Shimon Perez and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The Prime Minister serves as head of the government, with the Knesset (120-member parliament) being the country’s legislative body. Administratively, Israel is divided into six main districts (mehozot), which are the Center District, Haifa District, Jerusalem District, Northern District, Southern District, and the Tel Aviv District. The country is also divided into the three main metropolitan areas of Tel Aviv and Gush Dan (population 3,150,000), Haifa (population 996,000), and Beersheba

(population 531,600). The largest city of Jerusalem has a population of approximately 732,100. The nation maintains diplomatic relations with 161 countries around the world, as well as with three members of the Arab League. Its closest allies are considered to be the United States, Turkey, Germany, the UK, and India.

The geographic features of Israel vary greatly, from desert areas (in the south), to mountain ranges (in Galilee and the Golan in the country’s north), to coastal areas along the shores of the Mediterranean. It is these coastal areas—which include the cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa—that are home to 70% of Israel’s population. In addition to its majority Jewish population, Israel is home to Arab Muslims, Christians, Druze, and other religious and ethnic minority groups. This being said, the modern state of Israel has its roots firmly in the biblical concept of the Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael) and has been central to Judaism for more than 3,000 years. The name Israel has actually long stood for the concept of the Land of Israel and for the entire Jewish nation, with the name originating from a Biblical verse (Genesis, 32:28) and the Biblical nation/population fathered by Jacob being termed the "Children of Israel" or the "Israelites".