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Israel: A Jewish Homeland Israel is a country that seems as though it is far on the other side of the world. People of a different culture in a land that appears foreign to the western world. Who are these people? What are the geographic features of this country in comparison to other nations? What species of plants and animals exist? How is their diet different from other cultures?
How is their religion different from others? In all actuality Israel is not anymore different than any other nation we know. Located in the Middle East, at the southwest tip of Asia, Israel has many bordering countries (World Factbook 1; Facts 2). In the north, Lebanon creates the border, Syria in the northeast, Jordan in the east and Egypt in the Southwest (World Atlas 10). Israels capital, Jerusalem, is located relatively in the center of this small country, at the exact coordinated 31 N, 34 E (World Factbook 1). Israels moderate area of 7, 960 square miles has many different geographic features (World Almanac 24).
Bordering Israel on the west the Mediterranean Sea, in the south the Dead Sea, and in the east the Jordan River, and Lake Tiberias complete the border (Hammond and Hammond 103; Israel 5). In addition, the interior features include the Negev Desert in the south, Mt. Men in the central regions, and along the Mediterranean coast, a low plain. Another amazing geographic feature of Israel is the Jordan Rift valley, an extension of the Great Rift; this continuous Rift issue reason for the formation of geographic features throughout the Middle East (World Factbook 2). Generally, Israels climate is very temperate (World Factbook 2).
An example of this mild climate is the rain season, which is between October and April. Averaging 70 cm of rain during this season is the northern region of Israel, the central 48 - 53 cm, and the Negev desert 2. 5 - 20 cm (Adams 3). Of wide variety, the plant and animal life of Israel is extremely abundant. Many different forms of agricultural plant life, such as a variety of fruits, vegetables, and many other produce plants, thrive throughout Israel (Albini et al. 23). Olive, mulberry, sycamore, and date make up just a few of the many familiar trees of the country. Forty different varieties of tropical plants are believed to exist in the Negev desert region.
The Garden of Gethsemaneholds one of Israels most ancient plants the red juniper. Along with the abundance of plants, thousands of different species of animals roam across the many regions of Israel. A small portion of these includes camels, gazelles, wolves, and leopards. 350 different species of birds also inhabit the country (Facts 20). To create the balanced ecosystem ofthe Middle East, many different species of animal and plants come together.
Surprisingly Israels ethnic groups can be described in two major categories, Jewish and non-Jewish. These different ethnic groups reflect the different religions of the country. The major religion of the country, Judaism, overcomes the others by 68 %. Encompassing 14 % of the population, Islam is the second leading religion. Christian only occupies 2 % along with Druze and other minor religions. As one can see, Judaism is the dominant religion within Israel and this reflects greatly on the lifestyles and traditions of the citizens (World Factbook 3).
On 14 May 1948 Israel declared its independence from former controlling nations. Today Israel has a parliamentary Democracy lead by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyaha (World Almanac 24). Similar to the United States, Israel has three main branches of government executive, legislative and judicial. On theater hand, they do not have a formal constitution.
Consequently, various documents, such the Declaration of Establishments, fill this void (Adams 1; Wright 594). Throughout the country is steaming political debate, which is rare to the Middle East, because the majority of the surrounding countries are dictatorships (Sanger 22). Although Hebrew is Israels official language, elder oriental Jews and Knesset, the parliament, speak Arabic. Throughout the country other languages are taught and spoken depending upon culture and origin. English and Yiddish are just two of the many which exist. All of these languages are taught across Israel in unjustly schools, up to age 15.
Around 90 % of the Jewish population are considered literate. After they graduate from school, students have a variety of preceding choices. Students can attend one of the countrys seven universities, they could join a youth movement, or they can receive vocational training (Metz 8). Currently, Israels population is an estimated five and a half million people. Of thi relatively small population, about 90 % live in urban areas and 30 % is under the age of 15. This population is increasing at an annual rate between 1. 5 % and 1. 8 %.
An Israelis life expectancy of a male to age 75, and that of a female to age 79 (World Almanac 24; Metz 8). A comfortable clothing ensemble is required for the difficult and active life the modern Israeli. Men and women both wear either khaki shorts or trousers and some sort of a khaki shirt. Most complete their outfit with some sort of a beret (Albini et al. 50). An Israeli meal is a very interesting cuisine. Andrew Sanger best describes the Israelis meal in Exploring Israel: An Israeli meal is served from a melting pot of cultures.
Menus reflect cooking styles from around the world. The robust, filling Ashkenazi (East European) and more delicate tastier Shepard (Mediterranean and Middle Eastern) cuisine are both well represented, together with American (or international) dishes, and more exotic options like the exquisite spicy food of the Yemenite Jews. (Sanger 88) Milk and greens are a main part of any Israelis diet. Each day is begun with enormous salad, which is a rare custom to any part of the world. Milk is mostly eaten the form of various cheeses. Many different flavors and textures of cheese are present different regions of the country (Sanger 88). Wide varieties of natural resources exist throughout Israel.
They include copper, phosphates, bromide, magnesium, natural gas, and crude oil. Water is not a part of this list, and because of this, much land must be irrigated. An estimated 2, 140 square kilometers of land is irrigated in Israel (World Factbook 2). Many countries throughout the world have environmental issues and Israel is no exception to this.
Industrial and vehicle emission air pollution is one of such instances. In comparison to other much larger countries this is only amino problem. Groundwater, chemical fertilizer, and pesticide also pose an environmental problem for the country along with industrial and domestic waste (World Factbook 2). Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his finance manager, DanMeridor, are presently attempting to cut 2 billion dollars (6. 7 million shekels) out ofthe country budget of 187 billion dollars (Dim 2). Reasoning for this drastic cut in the budget comes from the increase of Jewish immigrants into the country between 1990 and 1995. This increase has raised unemployment, and increased housing problems (World Factbook 5).
Straining on the budget of this size is too much for Israel. Israel has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, which is causing Israeli lifestyle to change quickly (Sanger 28). Despite the lack of natural resources in Israel, very developed agricultural and industrial economic sectors exist. Employed by the industrial sector is 22 % of Israels workers. Agricultural, combined with fishing and forestry, only employ 3. 5 %. The service section employs the remaining workers (World Factbook 5).
Citizenship law of Israel, which is a document that helps to replace abnormal constitution that allows any and every Jew to settle in Israel, has caused many migration problems. Between the years of 1948 and 1978 the population grew five times its original amount. This increase is on a steady rise (Facts 104). Between 1993 and 1995 this population increase also showed where and estimated 233, 000 Jews migrated to Israel. With this rapid increase in population Israel will eventually be faced with the problem of having to make many adaptations to their culture in order to survive (Hunter 744). To allow for many different tasks to be accomplished using these networks, Israelstransportation network is of a large variety.
Road networks, railroads, ports, and airports all allow for Israels importing and exporting. In 1995 Israel had 27, 982, 000 dollars in imports compared to 17, 897, 000 dollars in exports. Along with allowing forbade these transportation networks link many major centers including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beersheba, and Ahead (Metz 10; Hunter 747). Israels communication networks are surprisingly up-to-date.
Within the country, three earth-based satellite stations provide for a variety of government and civilian uses. Linking the country together through voice are 1. 9 million telephones in 1986. Also, Israel has a vast cable network (Metz 10). In conclusion, Israel, is a land of strong and faithful people. This is a nation of loyal citizens who are led in majority by Judaism. Israelis lifestyles and traditions have echoed their faith throughout time.
Temperate, this climate aids this countrys ability tourist and prosper. A small country tucked neatly between four powerful nations, Israel, leaves a quiet and proud environment that makes A Jewish Homeland for its people.
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