The record of human habitation in Israel is at least 100,000 years, old. Evidence of the domestication of plants and animals can be dated to about 10,000 BC.  The State of Israel, an independent nation in southwest Asia, is located between the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of an arm of the Red Sea.  "Israel is considered the Holy Land for Christians, Jews, and Muslims {1}".  Which includes religious representation of most of the world's entire population.  To reflect on all the different aspects of the cultural and historical geography of Israel would certainly be out of the scope of this tiny paper so, general information will then be discussed below.

ITS LAND

Israel is a small country (a small country as related to overall territory/mass). It is long and narrow and stretches just under 450 kms from North to South and on average is 60 kms from East to West.  The majority of Israel's west is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea.  The Mediterranean Coast consists of a narrow plain (The Sharon Plain) which is home to most of Israel's people.  The Sharon Plain is where Israel's largest urban city, Tel Aviv, is located. Israel's Eastern border is dominated by the Jordan River Valley which drops down to the Dead Sea which is the lowest depression on Earth at 400 meters below sea level. Israel's southern region is managed by the rough and mountainous Negev Desert.  At Israel's Southern apex Israel's port of Eilat dominates several kilometers of sparkling Red Sea coast.  The primary region of the country is hilly, and at one of the highest points is the national capital, Jerusalem {3}.

The northern quarter of Israel is dominated by the hilly and fertile Galilee region. Israel's largest body of fresh water, Lake Kinneret is on the eastern part of the Galilee. Further to the North East is the Golan Heights and Israel's upmost point, Mt. Hermon which reaches an elevation in Israeli territory of 2,224 meters above sea level (almost identical to Mt. Kosciusko) and includes Israel's one and only snow ski slopes {3}.

Israel's major drainage system is the interior basin formed as the Jordan River flows southward; it empties first into the Hula Basin and then into the freshwater Sea of Galilee.  The river then proceeds to the Dead Sea, the most saline body of water in the world.  The Sea of Galilee is connected, through a complex of pumping stations and reservoirs, to Israel's aquifers in the west, providing water to almost half of the country's agricultural land {4}.

The climate in Israel varies from north to south. In winter, the southern half of country remains under the subtropical high, but weather in the northern half is influenced by periodic depressions that pass over the Mediterranean, bringing moderate rainfall.  Winter temperatures range from about 45 degrees Fahrenheit to 60 degrees.  In the summer the entire area is dominated by a subtropical high that brings cloudless skies and no precipitation.  Summer temperatures are 74 degrees to +90 degree temps.  The Dead Sea's climate is one of the hottest regions in the world, especially during the summer.  The northern highlands and northern coastal areas receive more than 16 inches of rain a year.  The highest northern highlands receive more than 40 inches each year {1}.

Most of the original evergreen forests have disappeared, but there are continuing reforestation efforts.  The hills are covered for the most part by maquis (wild shrub vegetation), while in the Negev only desert scrub grows wild.  Animal life varies from such mammals as wild boars, wildcats, and gazelles to reptiles like the agama and gecko lizards {4}.

Israel is not particularly rich in natural resources. It has limited reserves of copper and only small supplies of oil and natural gas.  Potash, sulfur, asphalt, manganese, bromide and phosphate are some of the natural resources of its countryside(Galkowicz).  However, Israel's extraordinary mineral-rich landscapes provide a generous source for health-enhancing natural cosmetics.  And just as important to locals and visitors alike, the abundant fresh produce, traditional cuisine ability and multi-cultural background have turned Israel into a food-lover's paradise {2}.

TOURIST

For the traveler, Israel is a land of scenic grandeur which presents a kaleidoscope of varied experiences packaged into a small country {5}.  Israel is for the sightseer, the adventurer, the backpacker, the people watcher, the gourmet, the pilgrim, the romantic, the shopper, the business traveler, the political analyst, the geographer, the archeologist and the historian. It is a complete destination.  It can also be visited in combination with its Middle Eastern neighbors or as a stopover point on the way to or from Europe {5}.

THE PEOPLE

Israel's has a population of 5.3 million.  About one third of the population is under 15 years old.  However, Israel's diversity is nowhere better reflected than in its people; Turks, Yemenites, Moroccans, Germans, Americans, Russians, Lithuanians, Poles, and Ethiopians.  The majority of the people are native-born, while of course the rest come from almost ever nation in the world {2}.

More than 90% of the Israelis are city dwellers.  Three main urban centers are; the capital of Israel Jerusalem 504,100, Tel Aviv-Yafo 321,700 and Haifa 223,600.  Again, the location of the majority of cities in Israel lie on the eastern edge next to the flowing waters of the Mediterranean {2}.

*Statistical population information for Israel follows*

Population Growth Rate: 2.22%

Birth Rate: 20.55 births/1,000 population

Death Rate: 6.43 deaths/1,000 population

Net Migration Rate: 8.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population

Infant Mortality Rate: 8.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Life Expectancy at Birth: total population 77.96 years

male 75.86 years

female 80.16 years

RELIGION

As one enters Israel's capital, Jerusalem, feelings instantly become touched with a unique spiritual dimension.  Freedom of religion and the sacredness of the holy locations and centers of worship for all church's are warranted by law.  "Each religious community is free, by law and in practice, to exercise its faith, to observe its holidays and weekly day of rest, and to administer its internal affair {2}."  Of its more than 5 million people, almost 82 percent are Jews, about 16 percent are Arabs (Muslims) and the remaining two percent is comprised of Druxe, Circassian and other small communities (mostly Christians) {2}.

In Israel, the Bible is not merely a religious tract but a tour guide which points the way to specific sites and events in the history of believers from three faiths; Jews, Christians and Muslims. Jewish sites of course being the most popular and most diverse among the three.

A historical link between the Jewish people and its land seems to exist more solidly however, compared to Christianity and Muslim.  The word "Zionism" often used as a synonym for Jerusalem and the Land of Israel is also a strong belief which expresses the yearning of Jews the world over for their historical homeland- Zion, the Land of Israel.  The most important idea of Zionism actually appeared in Israel's Declaration of Independence written in 1948, which states, "The Land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish people.  Here their spiritual, religious and political identity was shaped.  Here they first attained to statehood, created cultural values of national and universal significance and gave to the world the eternal Book of Books.  After being forcible exiled from their land, the people kept faith with it throughout their dispersion and never ceased to pray and hope for their return to it and for the restoration in it of their political freedom."  Yes this is an actual governmental document and is only a petite portion of the Declaration of Israel based on the principle of Zionism {2}.  For more information about this fascinating subject of the return of the original inhabitants of Israel (or Zion) check out the Israeli Foreign Affairs website under Dr. Neuberger {4}.

As a student doing a research paper, I casually chose Israel not knowing what I would get myself into.  This paper does not however, do justice on the infatuation I have received with the infinite amount of fascinating information on Israel.  After spending countless hours on study of this country I only find myself at the tip of the iceberg in wanting to know more. Israel truly is the center of all historical and cultural geography to me now.

"Oh, Israel, I will never forget you. (Isaiah 44:21)"

REFERENCES

1. About Israel. "Israel tourism guide." 1996. http://www.algonet.se/%7Elj/ (April 10, 1997)

2. Focus Multimedia. "Your Key To Be Seen!" Israel. 1997.
http://www.focusmm.com.au/israel/is_giamn.htm. (April 10, 1997)

3. Gold Stag Commun. "Odyssey." ISRAEL. 1996
http://www.emerald-empire.com/geography/israel/page00.htm (April 10, 1997)

4. Israeli Foreign Affairs. "Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs." 1996.
http://www.israel-mfa.gov.il (April 10, 1997)

5. Kachar, Menachem. "Israel Visit." 1996.
http://www.israelvisit.co.il (April 10, 1997)

UT @austin. "JPEG Image." Israeli Maps. 1997.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/middle_east_and_asia/Israel GIF (April 10, 1997)

Created 5-2-97