14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
6 September 1968 (from UK)
Religions
Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian 0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2004)
Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30%
Languages
Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language
English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)
Exports
machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel
soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit
External Debt
$102,300,000,000 $
$703,100,000 US
Exchange Rate
new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.56 (2008 est.), 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004)
emalangeni per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.4 (2007), 6.85 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
7.300%
4.700%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
0
Location
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon
Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Area
20,770 km sq
17,364 km sq
Coastline
273 km
0 km
Climate
temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas
