Israel
Israel
- Capital
- Jerusalem
- Population
- 9,216,900
- Region
- Asia
- Languages
- Hebrew (modern), Arabic
Israel is home to the world's highest concentration of high-tech startups per capita, leading to its nickname as the 'Startup Nation.' It is a global leader in water conservation, being the first country to recycle nearly ninety percent of its wastewater for agricultural use. Additionally, the country is one of the few places where a dead ancient language, Hebrew, was successfully revived and transformed into a modern, spoken national tongue. This innovation extends to its agricultural sector, where local inventors developed drip irrigation and the world's most productive cherry tomato varieties.
Currency
The official currency is the Israeli New Shekel, denoted by the ISO code ILS. The 'New Shekel' was introduced in 1985 to replace the original shekel following a period of hyperinflation, with the name itself rooted in an ancient unit of weight used in biblical times.
Flag symbolism
The flag features two horizontal blue stripes on a white background, which are inspired by the design of the Tallit, the traditional Jewish prayer shawl. In the center is the Blue Hexagram, known as the Shield of David or Magen David, which serves as a centuries-old symbol of Jewish identity. The color white represents light, honesty, and peace, while the blue stripes symbolize trust and the sky. This design was originally adopted by the Zionist Movement in the late 19th century before becoming the official national flag in 1948.
Emblem history
The national emblem of Israel features a central Menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum that was used in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem. It is flanked by two olive branches, which symbolize the nation's desire for peace and its historical connection to the land. The specific design of the Menorah is modeled after the depiction on the Arch of Titus in Rome, which commemorated the Roman victory over Judea. By using this specific image, the founders intended to symbolically bring the Menorah back from its historical exile to its original home. Below the candelabrum, the word 'Israel' is inscribed in Hebrew to complete the official state seal.