Quick Facts
Name | State of Israel |
Population | 8 million |
Capital | Jerusalem |
Language | Hebrew and Arabic |
Currency | Israeli New Shekel (ILS) |
Time Zone: | UTC +2 |
Flag |
Climate
The northern part of Israel has a Mediterranean climate (hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters). The south and east have an arid climate.
The rainy season starts in October and lasts until the beginning of May, with the northern parts of the country receiving noticeably more rain than the south.
Culture
Israel is considered part of the Holy Land and Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Bahaism all tie up here. Tiny in size, Israel contains a vibrant history and mixture of cultures and personalities. Even though it was officially founded in 1948, the country’s history goes back to the beginnings of human civilizations.
The country boasts a mix of culture like no other, with a complex history to back it up and hence, it is a destination that has fascinated travellers and pilgrims for centuries on end.
Gastronomy
Israeli cuisine adapts many styles of Jewish gastronomy, namely Mizrahi, Sephardic and Ashkenzi cooking, brought by Jews from the Diaspora. Moreover, Middle Eastern foods such as falafel, couscous, hummus and more are popular in the country. Another great influencer has been the Mediterranean region, as many items common to the area are available in Israel and commonly incorporated into every-day dishes.
Kosher foods are also a big part of the Israeli cuisine. Kosher incorporates all food that conforms to the Jewish dietary law known as kashrut. For example, laws that form the kashrut prohibit the consumption of pork and shellfish.
Transportation
By Bus
Buses are cheap, fast, reliable and the most common public way of transportation for both Israelis and tourists alike. Note: From Friday at sunset until Saturday dusk (Sabbath), buses don’t run in most of Israel.
Another thing worth noting is that soldiers use buses to travel to and from their bases and it is not uncommon to see buses packed with soldiers who are often armed. This is normal and nothing to be afraid of.
By Train
The train system in Israel was recently modernized. You can expect a high level of comfort if travelling by train but in return, tickets can be quite pricey in comparison to bus fares. Note: From Friday at sunset until Saturday dusk (Sabbath), trains don’t run in most of Israel.
By Minivans or “monit sherut”
They are faster than normal buses and can be hailed from anywhere. They run during Shabbat.