Geographical information

Israel is located in the Middle East. It borders Lebanon and Syria to the north, Jordan to the east, and Egypt to the southwest. To the west, it is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, while the Red Sea lies to the south. Israel is also home to the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) and the unique saltwater Dead Sea.

The country stretches approximately 470 kilometers from north to south, and up to 135 kilometers from east to west at its widest point. Its only major river, the Jordan River, originates in northern Israel, flows into the Sea of Galilee, and then continues into the Dead Sea. The Jordan River also serves as a natural border between Israel and Jordan.

The capital of the country is Jerusalem, with a population of over 750,000. Other major cities include Tel Aviv, Haifa, Be’er Sheva, and Netanya.

The main tourist regions are Jerusalem and its surroundings; the Mediterranean coastal plain with cities such as Tel Aviv, Netanya, and Haifa; Upper and Lower Galilee and the Sea of Galilee; the Golan Heights; the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert; and Eilat.

Local Time

Israel operates on Eastern European Time (EET), which is one hour ahead of Central European Time (CET).

Currency

The official currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS), commonly referred to as the shekel. It is a fully convertible currency. One shekel is divided into 100 agorot.

Banknotes in circulation include 200, 100, 50, and 20 shekels, while coins are available in denominations of 10, 5, 2, and 1 shekel, as well as 50 and 10 agorot.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and hotels; however, more favorable exchange rates are typically offered at licensed exchange offices located in central areas of major cities.

Major credit cards are widely accepted throughout Israel, including American Express, Diners Club, Visa, and Mastercard/Access/Eurocard.