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israel isnt even a country
{{Disputed|date=February 2012}}
wa7ad tneen tlate, palestie ya 7yatee
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2013}}
123 palestine will be free
{{Infobox country geography
567 palestine is heaven
| name = Israel
678 it is not too late
| map = Israel_relief_location_map.jpg
789 palestine will be fine
| map_alt =
8910 palestine is like gen
| continent = ]
101112 palestine is ourselve(s)
| region = ]
111213 its name will be seen
| coordinates = {{coord|31|35|type:country|display=inline,title}}
| area ranking = 147th
| km area = 20,770<ref name="cia" /><ref name=IsraelCountryStudy>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vh3qJ8O73VIC&pg=PA8#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Israel A Country Study|author=Federal Research Division|edition=Paperback|publisher=Kessinger Publishing, LLC|year=2004|isbn=1-4191-2689-X|page=8}}</ref>
| miles area = 8,019
| percent land = 97.88
| percent water = 2.12
| km coastline = 187
| miles coastline = 116
| borders = {{Unbulleted list
|]: 208&nbsp;km<ref name="cia" />
|]: 307&nbsp;km<ref name="cia" />
|]: 81&nbsp;km<ref name="cia" />
|]: 83&nbsp;km<ref name="cia" />
|]: 330&nbsp;km<ref name="cia" />
|]: 59&nbsp;km<ref name="cia" />
|Coastlines: 273&nbsp;km<ref name="cia" />
}}
| highest point = ]
| lowest point = ]
| longest river = ]
| largest lake = ]
| climate = ]
| terrain =
| natural resources = Offshore gas fields, Dead Sea minerals (potash, magnesium)
| natural hazards =
| environmental issues =
}}

The '''geography of Israel''' is very diverse, with ] conditions in the south, and snow-capped mountains in the north. ] is located at {{coord|31|30|N|34|45|E|type:country}} at the eastern end of the ] in western Asia.<ref name="cia">{{cite web | url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/is.html | title=Israel | publisher=CIA World Factbook | accessdate=8 April 2008}}</ref> It is bounded to the north by ], the northeast by ], the east by ] and the ], and to the southwest by ].<ref name="cia" /> To the west of Israel is the ], which makes up the majority of Israel's {{convert|273|km|mi|0|abbr =on}} coastline<ref name="geog">{{cite web | url=http://countrystudies.us/israel/34.htm | title=Israel&nbsp;– Geography | accessdate=8 April 2008 | publisher=U.S. Library of Congress}}</ref> and the ]. Israel has a small coastline on the ] in the south.

Israel's area is approximately {{convert|20770|km2|sqmi|0|abbr =on}}, which includes {{convert|445|km2|sqmi|0|abbr =on}} of inland water.<ref name="cia" /><ref name=IsraelCountryStudy/><ref name="geog" /> Israel stretches {{convert|424|km|mi|0|abbr =on}} from north to south, and its width ranges from {{convert|114|km|mi|0|abbr =on}} to, at its narrowest point, {{convert|15|km|mi|1|abbr =on}}.<ref name="geog" /> The ] include the West Bank, {{convert|5879|km2|sqmi|0|abbr =on}}, East Jerusalem, {{convert|70|km2|sqmi|0|abbr =on}} and the ], {{convert|1150|km2|sqmi|0|abbr =on}}.<ref name=IsraelCountryStudy/> Geographical features in these territories will be noted as such.

Southern Israel is dominated by the ] desert, covering some {{convert|16000|km2|sqmi|0}}, more than half of the country's total land area. The north of the Negev contains the ], which, at its border with Jordan, contains the ] which, at {{convert|-417|m|ft|0|abbr =on}} is the lowest point on Earth. The inland area of central Israel is dominated by the ] of the West Bank, whilst the central and northern coastline consists of the flat and fertile ]. Inland, the northern region contains the ] mountain range, which is followed inland by the fertile ], and then the hilly ] region. The ] is located beyond this, and is bordered to the east by the ], which contains the highest point under Israel's control, a peak in the Israeli-occupied ] ], at {{convert|2224|m|ft|0|sp=us}}. The highest point in territory internationally recognized as Israeli is ] at {{convert|1208|m|ft|0|sp=us}}.<ref name="cia" />

==Location and boundaries==
{{main|Borders of Israel}}
]

Israel lies to the north of the equator around 31°30' north latitude and 34°45' east longitude.<ref name="cia" /> It measures {{convert|424|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from north to south and, at its widest point {{convert|114|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}, from east to west.<ref name="cia" /> At its narrowest point, however, this is reduced to just {{convert|15|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}. It has a land frontier of {{convert|1017|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} and a coastline of {{convert|273|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="cia" /> It is ranked 153 on the ].<ref name="cia" />

Prior to the establishment of the ], there was no clear-cut definition of the geographical and territorial limits of the area known as "Palestine." On the eve of ] it was described by ] as a "nebulous geographical concept."<ref>An Empire in the Holy Land: Historical Geography of the British Administration in Palestine, 1917–1929, Gideon Biger, St. Martin's Press and Magnes Press, 1994, pp.40–41.</ref> The ] in 1916 divided the region that later became Palestine into four political units.<ref>An Empire in the Holy Land: Historical Geography of the British Administration in Palestine, 1917–1929, Gideon Biger, St. Martin's Press and Magnes Press, 1994, pp.46–52.</ref> Under the ], the first geo-political framework was created that distinguished the area from the larger countries that surrounded it. The boundary demarcation at this time did not introduce geographical changes near the frontiers and both sides of the border were controlled by the British administration.<ref>An Empire in the Holy Land: Historical Geography of the British Administration in Palestine, 1917–1929, Gideon Biger, St. Martin's Press and Magnes Press, 1994, pp.67–69.</ref>

Modern Israel is bounded to the north by Lebanon, the northeast by Syria, the east by Jordan and the West Bank, and to the southwest by Egypt. To the west of Israel is the Mediterranean Sea, which makes up the majority of Israel's 273&nbsp;km (170&nbsp;mi) coastline and the Gaza Strip. Israel has a small coastline on the Red Sea in the south. The southernmost settlement in Israel is the ] of ] whilst the northernmost is the ] of ]. The ] of Israel extend into the sea to a distance of twelve nautical miles measured from the appropriate baseline.<ref name="cia" />

The statistics provided by the ] include the ] East Jerusalem and Golan Heights, but exclude the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The population of Israel includes ] in the West Bank. The route of the ] incorporates some parts of the West Bank.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width: 75px;" |
! scope="col" style="width: 200px;" |
! colspan="4" style="width: 300px;" | Population (thousands)
! colspan="2" style="width: 100px;" | Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
|-
! scope="col" style="width: 75px;" | Name
! scope="col" style="width: 200px;" | Status Description
! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" | ] (incl. ] and ] in Israel proper, and incl. ] in the ])
! scope="col" style="width: 50px;" | Cumulative Total
! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" | ] (incl. non-Israeli ])
! scope="col" style="width: 50px;" | Cumulative Total
! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" | Area
! scope="col" style="width: 50px;" | Cumulative Total
|-
| ]
| Area sovereign to Israel since 1948
| 6,674<ref name="Otherfigures">Figure calculated from other sourced figures in table</ref>
| 6,674<ref name="Otherfigures" />
| 100-120 <ref name="miftah.org">http://www.miftah.org/Display.cfm?DocId=14464&CategoryId=4</ref>
| 100-120 <ref name="miftah.org"/>
| 20,582<ref name="Otherfigures" />
| 20,582<ref name="Otherfigures" />
|-
| ]
| ] and subject to ] since 1967. Formal legislation on 1980 (see ])
| 455<ref name="JIIS">{{cite web |url=http://jiis.org/.upload/web%20C1009.pdf |title= Jerusalem Statistical Yearbook 2009/10 |author=] |accessdate=5 October 2010}}</ref>
| 7,129<ref name="Otherfigures" />
| 225 (double counted)<ref name="MeForum">{{cite web |url=http://www.meforum.org/2124/the-politics-of-palestinian-demography |title= The Politics of Palestinian Demography |author=Middle East Forum |accessdate=5 October 2010}}</ref>
| 225<ref name="Otherfigures" />
| 336<ref name="OCHA Barrier">{{cite web |url=http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_barrier_report_july_2009_english_low_res.pdf |title= Barrier Report July 2009. Calculation based on East Jerusalem area of 346km2 being 97% west of the barrier, and 9.5% of the West bank including East Jerusalem being in the Seam Zone |author=] |accessdate=5 October 2010}}</ref>
| 20,918<ref name="Otherfigures" />
|-
| ]
| ] since 1967, subject to ] since 1981 (see ])
| 42<ref name="CBS Israel" />
| 7,172<ref name="CBS Israel" />
| n.a.
| n.a. (])
| 1,154<ref name="CBS Israel Area" />
| 22,072<ref name="CBS Israel Area">{{cite web |url=http://www1.cbs.gov.il/shnaton57/st01_01.pdf |title= Israeli statistical Area data |author=] |accessdate=5 October 2010}}</ref>
|-
| ] (])
| Area between the ] and the ]. ] in 1967
| 188<ref name="Btselem">{{cite web |url=http://www.btselem.org/English/Separation_Barrier/Statistics.asp |title= Separation Barrier Statistics |author=] |accessdate=5 October 2010}}</ref>
| 7,359<ref name="Otherfigures" />
| 35<ref name="Btselem" />
| 260<ref name="Otherfigures" />
| 200<ref name="OCHA Barrier" />
| 22,272<ref name="Otherfigures" />
|-
| Other ]s and ] Military Areas (] Area C)
| Other Israeli settlements (not in ] or the ]) and areas in the ] directly controlled by the ]. ] in 1967
| 57<ref name="Otherfigures" />
| 7,473<ref name="CBS Israel">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbs.gov.il/population/new_2010/table1.pdf |title= Israeli Census data |author=] |accessdate=5 October 2010}}</ref>
| 115<ref name="OCHA">{{cite web |url=http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_area_c_humanitarian_response_plan_fact_sheet_2010_09_03_english.pdf |title= Area C Humanitarian Response Plan Fact Sheet September 2010. Assumes 35,000 Palestinians estimated by B'Tselem to be living in the Seam Zone are included in the 150,000 OCHA estimate. |author=] |accessdate=5 October 2010}}</ref>
| 375<ref name="Otherfigures" />
| 2,961<ref name="CIAWB Area">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/we.html#People |title=West Bank population. Based on total area of 5,640km2 including East Jerusalem and excluding water. Figure shown calculated from other figures sourced on page. |author=CIA World Factbook |accessdate=5 October 2010}}</ref>
| 25,233<ref name="Otherfigures" />
|-
| ] civil control (] Areas A+B)
| ] civil controlled area. Subject to "joint" military control with the ]. ] in 1967
| 0
| 7,473<ref name="Otherfigures" />
| 2,311<ref name="CIAWB">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/we.html#People |title=West Bank population. Assumes CIA World Factbook number excludes Israeli settlers but includes estimated 225k Palestinians living in East Jerusalem |author=CIA World Factbook |accessdate=5 October 2010}}</ref>
| 2,686<ref name="Otherfigures" />
| 2,143<ref name="OCHA" />
| 27,376<ref name="Otherfigures" />
|-
| ]
| ] governed area. ] controls airspace, maritime border and its own border with Gaza. ] in 1967, ] in 2005, declared a foreign entity in 2007.
| 0
| 7,473<ref name="Otherfigures" />
| 1,552<ref name="CIAGS">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gz.html |title=Gaza Strip population. Excludes Israeli settlers, but includes estimated 225k Non-Israeli Palestinians in East Jerusalem |author=CIA World Factbook |accessdate=5 October 2010}}</ref>
| 4,238<ref name="Otherfigures" />
| 360<ref name="CIAGS" />
| 27,736<ref name="Otherfigures" />
|}

==Physiographic regions==
Israel is divided into four physiographic regions: the ], the Central Hills, the ] and the ].<ref name="cia" />

===Coastal plain===
{{main|Israeli coastal plain}}
]
The Israeli Coastal Plain stretches from the Lebanese border in the north to ] in the south, interrupted only by Cape Carmel at ].<ref name="topog">{{cite web | url=http://countrystudies.us/israel/35.htm | title=Israel Topography | publisher=U.S. Library of Congress | accessdate=8 April 2008}}</ref> It is about {{convert|40|km|mi|0|sp=us}} wide at Gaza and narrows toward the north to about {{convert|5|km|mi|1|sp=us}} at the Lebanese border.<ref name="topog" /> The region is ] and ] (historically ]l) and is known for its ] ]s and ].<ref name="topog" /> The plain is traversed by several short streams. From north to south these are: the Kishon, the Hadera, the Alexander, the Poleg, and the Yarkon. All of these streams were badly polluted, but in the last ten years much work has been done to clean them up. Today the Kishon, Alexander and Yarkon again flow year round, and also have parks along their banks.<ref name="restoration of rivers">{{cite web | url=http://www.sviva.gov.il/bin/en.jsp?enPage=e_BlankPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=Zone&enDispWho=Examples_River&enZone=River_Restoration&|title=River Restoration|work=Israel Ministry of the Environment|accessdate=29 July 2011}}</ref>

The region is divided into five sub-regions. The ] stretches from ] in the far north, down to Israel's third-largest city, ]. It is a fertile region containing with a coastline with many small islands off of it.<ref name="go">{{cite web | url=http://www.goisrael.com/Tourism_Eng/Tourist+Information/Discover+Israel/Geographic+Regions/The+coastal+plain.htm | title=The coastal plain | accessdate=26 January 2008}}</ref> South of Haifa is the ] region which runs to the town of ]. The ] is the next stage down the Coastal Plain, running from Zikhron Ya'akov to ]'s ]. This area is Israel's most densely populated. South of this, running to Nahal Shikma, is the Central Coastal Plain. The southern region of the Coastal Plain is the Southern Coastal Plain (also known as the ], ], and Western ]) and extends south to the ]. It is divided into two. The Besor region, a ]-type area with a relatively large number of communities, in the north, and the Agur-Halutsa region in the south which is very sparsely populated.<ref name="go" />

===Central hills===
]]]
Inland (east) of the coastal plain lies the central ] region.<ref name="topog" /> In the north of this region lie the mountains and hills of ], which are generally {{convert|500|m|ft|0|sp=us}} to {{convert|700|m|ft|0|sp=us}} in height, although they reach a maximum height of {{convert|1208|m|ft|0|sp=us}} at ].<ref name="topog" /> South of the Galilee, in the West Bank, are the ]n Hills with numerous small, fertile valleys rarely reaching the height of {{convert|800|m|ft|0|sp=us}}.<ref name="topog" /> South of Jerusalem, also mainly within the West Bank, are the Judean Hills, including ].<ref name="topog" /> The central highlands average {{convert|610|m|ft|0|sp=us}} in height and reach their highest elevation at ], at {{convert|1208|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, in Galilee near ].<ref name="topog" /> Several valleys cut across the highlands roughly from east to west; the largest is the ] (also known as the ]), which stretches {{convert|48|km|mi|0|sp=us}} from ] southeast to the valley of the ], and is {{convert|19|km|mi|0|sp=us}} across at its widest point.<ref name="topog" />

===Jordan Rift Valley===
{{main|Jordan Rift Valley}}
]
East of the central highlands lies the ], which is a small part of the {{convert|6500|km|mi|0|sp=us}}-long ].<ref name="topog" /> In Israel the Rift Valley is dominated by the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee (an important freshwater source also known as Lake Tiberias and Lake Kinneret), and the ].<ref name="topog" /> The ], Israel's largest river ({{convert|322|km|mi|0|sp=us}}), originates in the ], ], and ] rivers near ] in the ] and flows south through the drained ] into the ] Lake Tiberias. Lake Tiberias is {{convert|165|km2|sqmi|0|sp=us}} in size and, depending on the season and rainfall, is at about {{convert|213|m|ft|0|sp=us}} below sea level.<ref name="topog" /> With a water capacity estimated at {{convert|3|km3|cumi|2|sp=us}}, it serves as the principal reservoir of the ] (also known as the Kinneret-Negev Conduit).<ref name="topog" /> The Jordan River continues its course from the southern end of Lake Tiberias (forming the boundary between the West Bank and Jordan) to its terminus in the highly saline ].<ref name="topog" /> The Dead Sea is {{convert|1020|km2|sqmi|0|sp=us}} in size and, at {{convert|420|m|ft|0|sp=us}} below sea level, is the lowest surface point on the earth.<ref name="topog" /> South of the Dead Sea, the Rift Valley continues in the ] (Hebrew "Arava", Arabic "Wadi 'Arabah"), which has no permanent water flow, for {{convert|170|km|mi|0|sp=us}} to the ].<ref name="topog" />

===Negev Desert===
{{main|Negev}}
]]]
The ] Desert comprises approximately {{convert|12000|km2|sqmi|0|sp=us}}, more than half of Israel's total land area.<ref name="topog" /> Geographically it is an extension of the ], forming a rough triangle with its base in the north near ], the Dead Sea, and the southern Judean Mountains, and it has its apex in the southern tip of the country at ].<ref name="topog" /> Topographically, it parallels the other regions of the country, with lowlands in the west, hills in the central portion, and the Arava valley as its eastern border.<ref name="topog" />

Unique to the Negev region are the craterlike ]im cirques; ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1486/ | title=Makhteshim Country | publisher=UNESCO | accessdate=8 April 2008}}</ref> The Negev is also sub-divided into five different ecological regions: northern, western and central Negev, the high plateau and the Arabah Valley.<ref name="negev">{{cite web | url=http://www.negev.org/About/negev_desert.htm | title=Israel's Negev Desert | accessdate=8 April 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080222220736/http://www.negev.org/About/negev_desert.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 22 February 2008}}</ref> The northern Negev receives {{convert|300|mm|in|1|sp=us}} of rain annually and has fairly fertile soils.<ref name="negev" /> The western Negev receives {{convert|250|mm|in|1|sp=us}} of rain per year, with light and partially sandy soils.<ref name="negev" /> The central Negev has an annual precipitation of {{convert|200|mm|in|1|sp=us}} and is characterized by impervious soil, allowing minimum penetration of water with greater soil erosion and water runoff.<ref name="negev" /> This can result in rare flash floods during heavy rains as water runs across the surface of the impervious desert soil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geckogo.com/Guide/Israel/Natural-Environment/Climate/ |title=Israel Natural Environment |publisher=Geckogo.com }}</ref> The high plateau area of Ramat HaNegev stands between {{convert|370|m|ft|0|sp=us}} and {{convert|520|m|ft|0|sp=us}} above sea level with extreme temperatures in summer and winter.<ref name="negev" /> The area gets {{convert|100|mm|in|1|sp=us}} of rain each year, with inferior and partially salty soils.<ref name="negev" /> The Arabah Valley along the Jordanian border stretches {{convert|180|km|mi|0|sp=us}} from Eilat in the south to the tip of the Dead Sea in the north and is very arid with barely {{convert|50|mm|in|2|sp=us}} of rain annually.<ref name="negev" />

==Geology==
]]]
Israel is divided east-west by a mountain range running north to south along the coast. ] sits on the top of this ridge, east of which lies the Dead Sea ] which is a ] on the ] ].<ref name="geology">{{cite web | url=http://www.showcaves.com/english/il/Geology.html | title=Geology of Israel | accessdate=8 April 2008}}</ref>

The numerous ] and ] layers of the Israeli mountains serve as ]s through which water flows from the west flank to the east. Several ] have formed along the Dead Sea, each an ], most notably the oases at ] and ] (]) where settlements have developed.<ref name="geology" /> Israel also has a number of areas of ]. Caves in the region have been used for thousands of years as shelter, storage rooms, barns and as places of public gatherings.<ref name="geology" />

The far northern coastline of the country has some ] landscapes best seen at ], a chalk cliff into which a series of ]es have been eroded.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jafi.org.il/education/noar/sites/roshhan.htm | title=Rosh HaNikra | publisher=JAFI | accessdate=8 April 2008}}</ref>

===Seismic activity===
The ] is the result of tectonic movements within the ] (DSF) fault system. The DSF forms the ] between the ] to the west and the ] to the east. The Golan Heights and all of Jordan are part of the Arabian Plate, while the Galilee, West Bank, Coastal Plain, and Negev along with the Sinai Peninsula are on the African Plate. This tectonic disposition leads to a relatively high seismic activity in the region.

The entire Jordan Valley segment is thought to have ruptured repeatedly, for instance during the last two major earthquakes along this structure in 749 and 1033. The deficit in ] that has built up since the 1033 event is sufficient to cause an earthquake of ]~7.4.<ref name="Ferry">{{cite journal | url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012821X0700324X |title=A 48-kyr-long slip rate history for the Jordan Valley segment of the Dead Sea Fault |author=Ferry M., Meghraoui M., Karaki A.A., Al-Taj M., Amoush H., Al-Dhaisat S. & Barjous M. |journal=Earth and Planetary Science Letters |year=2008 |volume=260 |issue=3—4 |pages=394–406 |doi=10.1016/j.epsl.2007.05.049 |bibcode=2007E&PSL.260..394F }}</ref>

The most catastrophic earthquakes we know of occurred in 31 BCE, 363, 749, and 1033 CE, that is every ca. 400 years on average.<ref name="MarcoAFTAU">American Friends of the Tel Aviv University, ''Earthquake Experts at Tel Aviv University Turn to History for Guidance'' (October 4, 2007). Quote: The major ones were recorded along the Jordan Valley in the years 31 B.C.E., 363 C.E., 749 C.E., and 1033 C.E. "So roughly, we are talking about an interval of every 400 years. If we follow the patterns of nature, a major quake should be expected any time because almost a whole millennium has passed since the last strong earthquake of 1033." (Tel Aviv University Associate Professor Dr. Shmuel (Shmulik) Marco). </ref> Destructive earthquakes leading to serious loss of life strike about every 80 years.<ref name="IllPreped">Zafrir Renat, ''Israel Is Due, and Ill Prepared, for Major Earthquake'', Haaretz, 15 January 2010. "On average, a destructive earthquake takes place in Israel once every 80 years, causing serious casualties and damage." </ref> While stringent construction regulations are currently in place and recently built structures are earthquake-safe, as of 2007 the majority of the buildings in Israel were older than these regulations and many public buildings as well as 50,000 residential buildings did not meet the new standards and were "expected to collapse" if exposed to a strong quake.<ref name="IllPreped"/> Given the fragile political situation of the Middle East region and the presence there of major holy sites, a quake reaching magnitude 7 on the Richter scale could have dire consequences for world peace.<ref name="MarcoAFTAU"/>

:'''Notable earthquakes'''
The region has experienced many earthquakes, the most destructive we know of are those of 31 BCE, 363, 749, and 1033 CE. Major earthquakes have included:
* 92 BCE – coast hit by tsunamis<ref name=Rabban/>
* 140 BCE – disastrous earthquake between Tyre and Ptolemais (])<ref name=McKenzie>{{cite book |author=John L. McKenzie S. J. |year=1995 |title=Dictionary Of The Bible |location=New York |publisher=Touchstone/Simon & Schuster |page=208|isbn=9780684819136 |url=https://books.google.co.il/books?id=aE7EyQ_HQAMC&pg=PA208&lpg=PA208&dq=140+BCE+earthquake+Tyre&source=bl&ots=0TqatfPleZ&sig=3XPMimpgHUkwnP8e4R07tYEbxQ8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=_LgeVdrYPMPLaNrxgpgO&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=140%20BCE%20earthquake%20Tyre&f=false |accessdate=3 April 2015 }}</ref><ref name=Hays>{{cite web|url=http://www.pitt.edu/~super7/49011-50001/49081.ppt |title=2013 Review of notable earthquakes in the Mediterranean region |author=Dr. Walter Hays |publisher=University of Pittsburgh |date=2013 |accessdate=3 April 2015 }}</ref>
* '''31 BCE''' – ] in the Jordan Valley, ] at least 7; among the largest in 2000 years.<ref name=McKenzie/> ] writes of 30,000 people killed (War, Chapter 19-4)<ref>http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/03d/0037-0103,_Flavius_Josephus,_De_Bello_Judaico,_EN.pdf</ref> Damages ] and ].<ref name=Hays/>
* 115 CE – Yavne and Caesarea are hit by a tsunami<ref name=Rabban/>
* 130 – strong earthquakes affect among other places Caesarea, ] and Emmaus.<ref name=Rabban>{{cite book |editor=Avner Rabban, Kenneth G. Holum |year=1996 |title=Caesarea Maritima: A retrospective after two millennia |series=Documenta et Monumenta Orientis Antiqui, V. 21 (Book 21) |publisher=Brill |page=23 |isbn=9789004103788 |url=https://books.google.co.il/books?id=pckUkJIHjiQC&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=1063+earthquake+Acre&source=bl&ots=PRvRTtGtnC&sig=vWbvcgrKoi6zhjpCBCznFE8SdPw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Mw8fVdaeK8myacTCgbgN&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=1063%20earthquake%20Acre&f=false |accessdate=3 April 2015 }}</ref> Different sources give varying dates: 129,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmaus-nicopolis.org/English/thehistoryofemmaus/late-roman-period|title=late Roman period - www.emmaus-nicopolis.org|publisher=}}</ref> 131<ref name=McKenzie/><ref>Sharon, 1997, p. </ref>
* 306 – tsunami on the ]ine coast.<ref name=Hays/> Affects or is felt in Caesarea, Tiberias, Jerusalem.
* '''363''' – the ]. See also next (365 CE) earthquake. The failed attempt of the Jews to rebuild the ] during the reign of Emperor ] is connected by some to the earthquake.
* 419 – earthquake causes destruction in ]<ref name=Rabban/>
* 502 – ] allegedly destroyed (] chronicle of ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/joshua_the_stylite_02_trans.htm|title=Joshua the Stylite, Chronicle composed in Syriac in AD 507 (1882)pp.1-76|publisher=}}</ref>), tsunami hits northern coast,<ref name=Rabban/> Safed, Latrun (Nicopolis) affected<ref name=Sbeinati/>
* 551 – affects much of the Middle East, possibly largest event in the Levant (see ]).<ref name=McKenzie/><ref name=Hays/> ] is destroyed. A major tsunami sweeps the coast from Caesarea to ]<ref name=Rabban/>
* 633 – affects ] in the ] Valley<ref>{{cite book |title=All That Remains: The Palestinian Villages Occupied and Depopulated by Israel in 1948 |first1=Walid |last1=Khalidi |authorlink=Walid Khalidi |year=1992 |location=] |publisher=] |page=518 |isbn=0-88728-224-5 }}</ref>
* 658 – affects Syria and Palestine.<ref name=Hays/> Jerusalem is badly damaged according to the chronicles of ] and ].<ref name=Grabar>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.co.il/books?id=K8stDgJSiJ4C&pg=PA82&lpg=PA82&dq=%22658%22+%22Jerusalem%22+%22earthquake%22+%22Syriac+chronicle%22+%22Theophanes%22&source=bl&ots=gdFad6Otcp&sig=-_I_ZH4dWHBqi5bT_80jLqFYq0I&hl=en&sa=X&ei=s-YeVdfPG8XVasaygLAJ&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=earthquake%20Theophanes%22&f=false |page=82, note 14 |title=Frontiers of Islamic Art and Architecture: Essays in Celebration of Oleg Grabar's Eightieth Birthday |editor=Gülru Neci̇poğlu, Julia Bailey |publisher=Brill |year=2009 |isbn=9789004173279 |series=Muqarnas, Volume XXV |accessdate= }}</ref>
* 672 – ], ] and Ramla hit by strong earthquake<ref name=Rabban/>
* '''746–749''' – a series of earthquakes, often confused into one (see ]). Tiberias, Baysan (]) and ] were largely destroyed. A large event was centered in the Jordan Valley and had a magnitude of 7.6.<ref name=McKenzie/><ref name=Hays/>
* 808 – An earthquake affects Jerusalem<ref name=McKenzie/>
* 881 – An earthquake on the Levantine coast leads to a tsunami at Acre<ref name=Hays/>
* 1016 – Jerusalem, Jaffa and the region around are affected<ref name=McKenzie/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antiquities.org.il/jaffa/timeline.asp|title=The Jaffa Cultural Heritage Project|publisher=}}</ref>
* '''1033–34''' – an ] which is felt for 40 days destroys Ramla, Jericho and Nablus<ref name=McKenzie/>
* 1063 – a large earthquake hits the Levantine littoral. Acre is badly damaged<ref name=Rabban/>
* 1068 – ground-rupturing ] in Wadi ]. Ramla was totally destroyed and lay abandoned for four years after losing some 15,000–25,000 inhabitants in the earthquake.<ref></ref>
* 1070 – a large earthquake centered in the ] affects Palestine<ref name=McKenzie/><ref name=Hays/>
* 1091 – coastal towns affected, city towers collapse<ref name=Rabban/>
* 1157 - ] affected Christian monasteries and churches in the vicinity of Jerusalem
* 1170 – Caesarea damaged by tremor<ref name=Rabban/>
* 1202 – ]<ref name=Sbeinati>{{cite web|url=http://www.annalsofgeophysics.eu/index.php/annals/article/viewFile/3206/3251 |title=The historical earthquakes of Syria: an analysis of large and moderate earthquakes from 1365 B.C. to 1900 A.D. |work=Annals of Geophysics, Vol. 48, N. 3, June 2005 |author=Mohamed Reda Sbeinati, Ryad Darawcheh, Mikhail Mouty |pages=381, 389–391, 410 |date=2005 |accessdate=3 April 2015 }}</ref> leaves many towns and castles in northern and central ] badly damaged, such as Acre and Nablus. The eastern and western halves of the ruins of the Crusader castle of ] are displaced relatively to each other by 1.6 metres due to the castle's position exactly straddling a faultline
* 1261 – between Akko and Tripoli islands disappear under the sea<ref name=Rabban/>
* 1752 – coast of Syria and Palestine hit by strong earthquake<ref name=Rabban/>
* 1759 - the ]: Nablus and Acre are affected
* 1837 – the ], known as the Safed earthquake. The ], and its extension south to the Sea of Galilee, were sources of the event<ref name=Ambraseys_p929>{{harvnb|Ambraseys|1997|p=929}}</ref>
* 1898 – Haifa damaged by earthquake<ref name=Rabban/>
* 1927 – ]. The epicenter of the earthquake was in the northern area of the Dead Sea. The cities of Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramle, Tiberias, and Nablus were heavily damaged and at least 500 were estimated to have been killed.<ref name=Kallner-Amiran>{{cite web|url=http://zadok.org/research/1927/damage.html|title=A Revised Earthquake Catalog of Palestine|first=D. H.|last=Kallner-Amiran|accessdate=8 July 2012}}</ref> The death toll in Jerusalem included more than 130 people and around 450 were injured. About 300 houses collapsed or were severely damaged to the point of not being usable. The earthquake also caused heavy damage to the domes of the ] and the ]. The earthquake was especially severe in Nablus where it destroyed around 300 buildings, including the ] and the historic parts of the ].<ref name="zadok.org">{{citation|title=Damage Caused By Landslides During the Earthquakes of 1837 and 1927 in the Galilee Region|first=Daniel|last=Wachs|first2=Dov|last2=Levitte|url=http://zadok.org/research/1927/landslides.html|date=June 1978|publisher=Geological Survey of Israel}}</ref> The death toll in Nablus included more than 150 people and around 250 were injured. In Jericho, a number of houses collapsed, including several relatively new hotels in one of which three female tourists from ] were killed.<ref>] (1934) ''Sword for Hire.The Saga of a Modern Free-Companion''. John Murray, London. 1st Edition. pp.219–227</ref> In addition, the ] collapsed and the ] was blocked for about 21 hours following a collapse of ] cliffs from its banks{{Citation needed|reason=Garstang has been refuted on this|date=April 2014}}. ] and Tiberias were also heavily damaged.

==Rivers and lakes==
{{main|List of rivers of Israel|List of lakes of Israel}}
Israel's longest and most famous river is the {{convert|320|km|mi|0|sp=eu|adj=on}} long ], which rises on the southern slopes of Mount Hermon in the ].<ref name="jordan">{{cite web | url=http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761577321/Jordan_(river).html | title=River Jordan | accessdate=9 September 2010 |publisher=Encarta|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kwpkd0Ri|archivedate=31 October 2009}}</ref> The river flows south through the freshwater ], and from there forms the boundary with the ] for much of its route, eventually emptying into the ].<ref name="jordan" /> The northern tributaries to the Jordan are the ], ], and ].<ref name="jordan" /> Only the Dan is within undisputed Israel; the Hasbani flows from ] and the Banias from territory captured from Syria in the ].<ref name="jordan" />

]
The Sea of Galilee (also called the Kinneret) is Israel's largest and most important ] lake, located in the northeast of the country. The pear-shaped lake is {{convert|23|km|mi|0|sp=eu}} long from north to south, with a maximum width of {{convert|13|km|mi|0|sp=eu}} in the north, covering {{convert|166|km2|sqmi|0|sp=us}}. The Kinneret lies {{convert|207|m|ft|0|sp=us}} below sea level and reaches depths of {{convert|46|m|ft|0|sp=us}}. In a previous geological ] the lake was part of a large inland sea which extended from the ] marshes in northern Israel to {{convert|64|km|mi|0|sp=us}} south of the Dead Sea. The bed of the lake forms part of the ].<ref name="kinneret">{{cite web | url=http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761576645/Tiberias_Lake.html | title=Lake Tiberias | accessdate=8 April 2008 | publisher=Encarta|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kwpjyl4r|archivedate=31 October 2009|deadurl=yes}}</ref>

South of the Kinneret lies the ] Dead Sea which forms the border between Israel and Jordan and is {{convert|418|m|ft|0|sp=us}} below sea level, making it the lowest water surface on Earth.<ref name="dead sea">{{cite web | url=http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761556205/Dead_Sea.html | title=Dead Sea | accessdate=8 April 2008|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kwpjK5CA|archivedate=31 October 2009|deadurl=yes}}</ref> The Dead Sea is {{convert|67|km|mi|0|sp=us}} long with a maximum width of {{convert|16|km|mi|0|sp=us}} and also makes up part of the Rift Valley.<ref name="dead sea" /> A peninsula juts out into the lake from the eastern shore, south of which the lake is shallow, less than {{convert|6|m|ft|1|sp=us}} deep. To the north is the lake's greatest depth.<ref name="dead sea" />

There are no navigable, artificial waterways in Israel, although the ], a conduit for drinking water, might be classified as such. The idea of a ] connecting the Mediterranean and Dead Seas or the Red and Dead Seas has been discussed.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://american.edu/ted/deadsea.htm | title=Dead Sea Canal | accessdate=8 April 2008}}</ref>

==Selected elevations==
]]]
The following are selected elevations of notable locations, from highest to lowest:<ref>Statistical Abstract of Israel, No. 58, 2007</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Location
! Region
! Elevation (feet)
! Elevation (meters)
|-
| ]
| ] (Israeli-occupied)
| 7,336&nbsp;ft.
| 2,236 m.
|-
| ]
| Upper Galilee
| 3,964&nbsp;ft.
| 1,208 m.
|-
| ]
| Negev
| 3,396&nbsp;ft.
| 1,035 m.
|-
| ]
| East Jerusalem (Israeli-occupied)
| 2,739&nbsp;ft.
| 835 m.
|-
| ]
| Lower Galilee
| 1,930&nbsp;ft.
| 588 m.
|-
| ]
| Haifa
| 1,792&nbsp;ft.
| 546 m.
|-
| ]
| Judean Desert
|&nbsp;– 1,368&nbsp;ft.
|&nbsp;– 417 m.
|}

==Climate==
]
]]]
]]]
Israel has a ] with long, hot, rainless summers and relatively short, cool, rainy winters (] ''Csa'').<ref name="loc">{{cite web | url=http://countrystudies.us/israel/36.htm | title=Climate | accessdate=8 April 2008 | publisher=U.S. Library of Congress}}</ref> The climate is as such due to Israel's location between the ] aridity of the ] and the ] deserts, and the subtropical humidity of the ] and Eastern Mediterranean.<ref name="loc" /> The climate conditions are highly variable within the state and modified locally by altitude, latitude, and the proximity to the Mediterranean.<ref name="loc" />

On average, January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from {{convert|6|to|15|C|F|1}}, and July and August are the hottest months at {{convert|22|to|33|C|F|1}}, on average across the country.<ref name="loc" /> Summers are very humid along the Mediterranean coast but dry in the central highlands, the Rift Valley, and the Negev Desert. In Eilat, a desert city, summer daytime-temperatures are often the highest in the state, at times reaching {{convert|44|to|46|C|F|1}}. More than 70% of the average rainfall in Israel falls between November and March; June through September are usually rainless.<ref name="loc" /> Rainfall is unevenly distributed, significantly lower in the south of the country.<ref name="loc" /> In the extreme south, rainfall averages near {{convert|30|mm|in|2|sp=us}} annually; in the north, average annual rainfall exceeds {{convert|900|mm|in|1|sp=us}}.<ref name="loc" /> Rainfall varies from season to season and from year to year, particularly in the Negev Desert. Precipitation is often concentrated in violent storms, causing ] and ]s.<ref name="loc" /> In winter, precipitation often takes the form of snow at the higher elevations of the central highlands, including Jerusalem.<ref name="loc" /> Mount Hermon has seasonal snow which covers all three of its peaks for most of the year in winter and spring. In rare occasions, snow gets to the northern mountain peaks and only in extremely rare occasions even to the coast. The areas of the country most cultivated are those receiving more than {{convert|300|mm|in|1|sp=us}} of rainfall annually, making approximately one-third of the country cultivable.<ref name="loc" />

Thunderstorms and hail are common throughout the rainy season and waterspouts occasionally hit the Mediterranean coast, capable of causing only minor damage. However, ] and a true F2 ] hit the ] in April 2006, causing significant damage and 75 injuries.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3236346,00.html | title='Mini-tornado' sweeps through western Galilee | accessdate=8 April 2008 | publisher=Ynetnews}}</ref>

Heat waves are frequent. 2010 was the hottest year in the history of Israel with absolute record high in several places in August. The heat became stronger from August when temperatures were considerably above the average. October and November were also dry, and November was almost rainless when it was supposed to be rainy.

===Climate charts of different locations in Israel===
{{climate chart
| Tel Aviv
| 9 | 17 | 126.9
| 9.8 | 17.7 | 90.1
| 11.5 | 19.2 | 60.6
| 14.4 | 22.8 | 18.0
| 17.3 | 24.9 | 2.6
| 20.6 | 27.5 | 0
| 23.0 | 29.4 | 0
| 23.7 | 30.2 | 0
| 22.5 | 29.4 | 0.4
| 19.1 | 27.3 | 26.3
| 14.6 | 23.4 | 79.3
| 11.2 | 19.2 | 126.4
| clear = none
| float = left
| source = Israel Meteorological Service
}}
{{climate chart
| Beit Dagan
| 7.2 | 17.8 | 140.5
| 7.1 | 18.1 | 96.9
| 8.8 | 20.1 | 66.1
| 11.5 | 24.5 | 17.5
| 14.6 | 27.0 | 2.2
| 17.9 | 29.2 | 0
| 20.6 | 30.8 | 0
| 21.2 | 31.2 | 0
| 19.4 | 30.4 | 0.4
| 16.0 | 28.3 | 20.4
| 11.8 | 24.1 | 76.2
| 8.6 | 19.7 | 130.3
| clear = none
| float = left
| source = Israel Meteorological Service
}}
{{climate chart
| Jerusalem
| 6.4 | 11.8 | 133.2
| 6.4 | 12.6 | 118.3
| 8.4 | 15.4 | 92.7
| 12.6 | 21.5 | 24.5
| 15.7 | 25.3 | 3.2
| 17.8 | 27.6 | 0
| 19.4 | 29.0 | 0
| 19.5 | 29.4 | 0
| 18.6 | 28.2 | 0.3
| 16.6 | 24.7 | 15.4
| 12.3 | 18.8 | 60.8
| 8.4 | 14.0 | 105.7
| clear = none
| float = left
| source = Israel Meteorological Service
}}
{{climate chart
| Haifa
| 8.9 | 17 | 124.9
| 8.7 | 17.5 | 92.2
| 10.5 | 19.6 | 52.8
| 13.6 | 23.9 | 23.6
| 17.2 | 26.2 | 2.7
| 20.6 | 29.3 | 0
| 23.0 | 31.1 | 0
| 23.6 | 31.4 | 0
| 21.7 | 29.9 | 1.2
| 18.5 | 28.0 | 28.0
| 14.1 | 24.0 | 77.4
| 10.2 | 19.2 | 135.5
| clear = right
| float = left
| source = Israel Meteorological Service
}}
{{climate chart
| Safed
| 4.5 | 9.4 | 158.8
| 4.3 | 10.1 | 129.7
| 6.3 | 13.3 | 94.9
| 10.6 | 19.5 | 43.1
| 14.3 | 25.0 | 5.7
| 17.0 | 28.3 | 0
| 18.8 | 29.8 | 0
| 18.8 | 29.8 | 0
| 17.7 | 28.1 | 1.5
| 15.1 | 23.7 | 24.5
| 10.3 | 16.7 | 85.5
| 6.4 | 11.5 | 135.5
| clear = none
| float = left
| source = Israel Meteorological Service
}}
{{climate chart
| Beersheba
| 7.5 | 16.7 | 49.6
| 7.6 | 17.5 | 40.4
| 9.3 | 20.1 | 30.7
| 12.7 | 25.8 | 12.9
| 15.4 | 29.0 | 2.7
| 18.4 | 31.3 | 0
| 20.5 | 32.7 | 0
| 20.9 | 32.8 | 0
| 19.5 | 31.3 | 0.4
| 16.7 | 28.5 | 5.8
| 12.6 | 23.5 | 19.7
| 8.9 | 18.8 | 41.9
| clear = none
| float = left
| source = Israel Meteorological Service
}}
{{climate chart
| Tiberias
| 9.5 | 18.1 | 90.3
| 9.2 | 19.2 | 72.6
| 10.8 | 22.5 | 57.2
| 14.3 | 28.3 | 20.0
| 17.6 | 33.1 | 4.0
| 20.4 | 35.9 | 0
| 22.8 | 37.5 | 0
| 23.3 | 37.6 | 0
| 21.8 | 36.1 | 0.6
| 19.1 | 32.0 | 13.8
| 15.1 | 25.6 | 50.1
| 11.3 | 20.1 | 80.5
| clear = none
| float = left
| source = Israel Meteorological Service
}}
{{climate chart
| Eilat
| 9.6 | 20.8 | 3.5
| 10.6 | 22.1 | 5.8
| 13.6 | 25.5 | 3.7
| 17.8 | 31.1 | 1.7
| 21.5 | 35.4 | 1
| 24.2 | 38.7 | 0
| 25.9 | 39.9 | 0
| 26.2 | 39.8 | 0
| 24.5 | 37.3 | 0
| 21.0 | 33.0 | 3.5
| 15.5 | 27.2 | 3.5
| 11.2 | 22.3 | 6.0
| clear = right
| float = left
| source = Israel Meteorological Service
}}
{{clear}}

==Natural resources==
Unlike much of the Middle East which is rich in lucrative ], Israel has limited natural resources. These include copper, ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="cia" /> Small amounts of natural gas and ] are present, often too little to merit commercial extraction.<ref name="cia" /> In 2009, significant reserves of natural gas were discovered at the ] site, 90 kilometers west of Haifa. It is the largest natural gas reserve ever discovered in Israel.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bar |first=Avi |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel-s-largest-ever-reserve-of-natural-gas-discovered-off-haifa-coast-1.268364 |title=Israel`s largest-ever reserve of natural gas discovered off Haifa coast |work=Haaretz |date=18 January 2009}}</ref>

==Environmental concerns==
] dunes]]
] after clean-up, 2010]]
Israel has a large number of environmental concerns ranging from natural hazards to man-made issues both resulting from ancient times to modern development. Natural hazards facing the country include ] which sometimes occur during spring in the desert south, droughts which are usually concentrated in summer months, ]s which create great danger in the deserts due to their lack of notice, and regular earthquakes,most of which are small, although there is a constant risk due to Israel's location along the ].<ref name="cia" /> Current environmental concerns include the lack of ] and natural fresh water resources. Whilst measures have been taken to irrigate and grow in the desert, the amount of water needed here poses issues. ] is also a risk possible on the desert fringe, whilst air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions and ] from industrial and domestic waste are also issues facing the country.<ref name="cia" /> Furthermore, the effects of the use of ], and ]s are issues facing the country.<ref name="cia" />
Israel has signed many international environmental agreements and is party to:<ref name="cia" />
* ]
* ]&nbsp;– Climate Change
* ]
* ]
* Hazardous Wastes
* ]
* ]&nbsp;– Ozone Layer Protection
* ]&nbsp;– Ship Pollution
* ]

Signed but not ratified:
* ]
* ]

==Rural settlements==
]]]
Israel's rural space includes several unique kinds of settlements, notably the ] and the ].<ref name="rural">{{cite web | url=http://mama.indstate.edu/users/gejdg/rural.pdf | title=Rural Settlement Geography of Israel | accessdate=7 April 2008 | publisher=Indiana State University}}</ref> Originally these were collective and cooperative settlements respectively.<ref name="rural" /> Over time, the degree of cooperation in these settlements has decreased and in several of them the cooperative structure has been dismantled altogether.<ref name="rural" /> All rural settlements and many small towns (some of which are dubbed "rurban settlements") are incorporated in regional councils. Land use in Israel is 17% arable land, 4% permanent crops, and 79% other uses.<ref name="cia" /> As of 2003 {{convert|1940|km2|sqmi|0|sp=us}} were irrigated.<ref name="cia" />

There are 242 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank, 42 in the ], and 29 in ].<ref name="cia" />

==Islands==
Israel currently has no offshore islands within its territorial waters. However, the Israeli government plans to build ]s off the coast to house an airport, a seaport, a desalination plant, a power plant, and a military testing base, as an answer to Israel's lack of space.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4243546,00.html |title=Israel considers building artificial islands – Israel Environment |work=Ynetnews |date=20 June 1995}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ben |first=Ilan |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/short-on-space-israel-mulls-constructing-islands/ |title=Short on space, Israel looks to artificial islands |work=The Times of Israel |date=17 June 2012}}</ref>

==Human geography==
{{further|List of cities in Israel|Districts of Israel}}
]
As of 2013, the population of Israel is 8 million, 6,015,000 of them Jewish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4326257,00.html |title=CBS: Israel home to 8 Million citizens |work=Ynetnews }}</ref>

For statistical purposes, the country has three ]s; ]-Tel Aviv (population 3,150,000), ] (population 996,000), and ] (population 531,600).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www1.cbs.gov.il/shnaton57/st02_15.pdf | title=Localities, Population, and Density | accessdate=2 July 2007}}</ref> Some argue that ], Israel's largest city with a population of 763,600,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.usm.maine.edu/~maps/exhibit1/theme7.html | title=Jerusalem: From Town to Metropolis | accessdate=8 April 2008 | publisher=University of Southern Maine |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080307180639/http://www.usm.maine.edu/~maps/exhibit1/theme7.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 7 March 2008}}</ref> and ],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fips.org.il/fips/site/p_publications/item_en.asp?doc=pap&iss=gov&iid=500&sid=401 | title=Initiated Development in the Nazareth Region | accessdate=8 April 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071112165815/http://www.fips.org.il/fips/site/p_publications/item_en.asp?doc=pap&iss=gov&iid=500&sid=401 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 12 November 2007}}</ref> should also be classified as metropolitan areas. In total, Israel has 74 ], 14 of which have populations of over 100,000. Other forms of ] are ] of which there are 144 governing small municipalities generally over 2,000 in population,<ref name="Mahler">{{cite book | last=Mahler |first=Gregory S. |title=Politics and Government in Israel: The Maturation of a Modern State | publisher=Rowman & Littlefield | page=229}}</ref><ref name="first">{{cite book | last=Troen | first=Selwyn Ilan |author2=Noah Lucas | title=Israel: The First Decade of Independence | publisher=SUNY Press | page=496}}</ref> and ] of which there are 53, governing a group of small communities over a relatively large geographical area.<ref name="Mahler" /><ref name="women">{{cite book | last=Herzog | first=Hanna | title=Gendering Politics: Women in Israel | page=22 | publisher=University of Michigan Press | isbn=}}</ref>

Israel's population is diverse demographically; 76% Jewish, 20% ], and 4% unaffiliated.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cbs.gov.il/reader/shnaton/templ_shnaton_e.html?num_tab=st02_01&CYear=2007 | title=Population by population group | accessdate=8 April 2008 | format=PDF | publisher=Israel CBS}}</ref> In terms of religion, 76% are Jewish, 16% Muslim, 2% Christian, 2% ], and 4% are unclassified by choice.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cbs.gov.il/reader/shnaton/templ_shnaton_e.html?num_tab=st02_01&CYear=2007 | title=Population by religion | accessdate=8 April 2008 | format=PDF | publisher=Israel CBS}}</ref> 8% of Israeli Jews are ]; 9% are "religious", 12% "religious-traditionalists", 27% are "non-religious traditionalists", and 43% are "secular".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cbs.gov.il/hodaot2007n/19_07_104b.doc | title=Social Survey | year=2006 | accessdate=8 April 2008 | publisher=Israel CBS | language=Hebrew}}</ref> Other small, but notable groups in Israel, include ] of whom there are approximately 3,000 living mostly in two northern villages, 2,500 ], and 5,000 ] predominantly in ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.kafkas.org.tr/english/diaspora/israil.html | title=Circassians in Israel | accessdate=8 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/armenianq.html | title=The Armenian Quarter | accessdate=8 April 2008 | publisher=Jewish Virtual Library}}</ref>

==Overshoot==
Israel is ranked ] in the world in terms of ] density with, as noted, a climate of long, hot, rainless summers and relatively short, cool, rainy winters.<ref name="loc" /> The ] 2011 ] index<ref>{{cite web|title=Overshoot Index 2011|url=https://populationmatters.org/documents/overshoot_index_2011.pdf|publisher=Population Matters|accessdate=19 August 2014}}</ref> ranked Israel as the third most dependent region in the World after ] and ].

==See also==
{{portal|Geography|Israel}}
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Wikiatlas|Israel}}
*{{OSM relation|1473946|Israel}}
* at the ] website
* at the ] website
* at the ]
*{{Dmoz|Regional/Middle_East/Israel/Maps_and_Views|Israel: Maps and Views}}

{{Geography of Israel}}
{{Geography of Asia}}
{{Israel topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geography Of Israel}}
]
]

Revision as of 06:20, 11 April 2016

israel isnt even a country wa7ad tneen tlate, palestie ya 7yatee 123 palestine will be free 567 palestine is heaven 678 it is not too late 789 palestine will be fine 8910 palestine is like gen 101112 palestine is ourselve(s) 111213 its name will be seen