Eastern Mediterranean.

GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 during summer Daylight Saving Time. Daylight Saving Time in Israel starts on 1 April every year and ends on the Saturday between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.)

22,145 sq km (8,550 sq miles).

7.28 million  (2008).

328.7 per sq km.

Jerusalem. Population: (including East Jerusalem) 732,000 (2007). The Israeli government has designated Jerusalem as the capital, although this is not recognised by the UN, and most foreign embassies are based in Tel Aviv.

Israel is on the eastern Mediterranean, bordered by Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic to the north, the Palestine National Authority (West Bank) and Jordan to the east, and Egypt to the south. Gaza, a small coastal strip between Israel and Egypt, is claimed by the by the Palestine National Authority, but under de facto rule by the militant group Hamas.

Although only the size of Wales or Massachusetts, Israel contains a great variety of terrain and four climate zones. The north of the country is the fertile hill region of Galilee, rising to Mount Hermon and Golan in the northeast. The fertile Plain of Sharon runs along the coast, while inland, parallel to the coast, is a range of hills and uplands with relatively barren stony areas to the east. The country stretches southwards through the Negev Desert to Eilat, a resort town on the Red Sea. The Great Rift Valley begins beyond the sources of the River Jordan in the north and extends south through the Dead Sea (the lowest point in the world), into the Red Sea, continuing on into Eastern Africa. Israel's largest freshwater lake,  the Kinneret (also known the Sea of Galilee) is an important source of drinking water for the country.

Republic. The state of Israel was founded in 1948.

President Shimon Peres since 2007.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu since 2009.

Following a tumultuous rule that included a failed military offensive in Lebanon and allegations of corruption, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert resigned his post in September 2008. Olmert was succeeded by Binyamin Netanyahu after elections in February 2009.

Whoever emerges victorious in the elections must address urgent issues, not the least of which is the revival of the moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Conflict is heaviest in and around Gaza, which Israel has blockaded since the summer of 2006. The blockade has caused food and fuel shortages in Gaza yet Hamas remains defiant and continues to launch rockets on Israeli towns lying just outside the strip. A rift between Hamas and the secular Fatah, which rules the West Bank, has helped to thwart peace efforts with Israel.

Former Prime Minister Shimon Peres is now the ninth president of Israel. The 83-year-old was elected in June 2007 and will serve a seven-year term. His predecessor, Moshe Katsav, was forced to resign after admitting charges of sexual harassment and abuse of authority.

Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages. Hebrew is the first language of about two-thirds of the population. Arabic is spoken by around 15%. Other languages, including English, French, German, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Yiddish are widely spoken. A large proportion of the population speak good English, a compulsory school subject.

80% Jewish, 18% Muslim, with small Christian, Druze and other minorities.

230 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are standard; if needed, adaptors can be purchased in Israel.

Israelis are usually very informal but with the European style of hospitality. Israelis are typically blunt and direct in speech, which should not be misinterpreted as rudeness. Visitors should observe normal courtesies when visiting someone's home and should not be afraid to ask questions about the country as most Israelis are happy to talk about their homeland, religion and politics. The expression shalom (‘peace') is used for hello and goodbye. Dress is casual, but in the holy places of all religions modest attire is worn. For places such as the Western Wall, male visitors are given a smart cardboard yarmulke (skull cap) to respect the religious importance of the site. Businesspeople are expected to dress smartly, or at least in smart casual style, although ties are often not worn, while the most expensive of restaurants and nightclubs may expect a similar standard. If formal evening wear is required this will be specified on invitations. It is considered a violation of Shabbat (Sabbath, on Saturday) to smoke on that day. There is usually a sign to remind the visitor of this, and to disregard the warning would be regarded as discourteous.