1. Location

Situated Along the southeast coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the land of Israel known to many as the Holyland, and today the modern State of Israel. For thousands of years, it has been a land-bridge between Asia, Africa and Europe. Since 1948 an independent democratic republic. Israel is located in the Middle-East, and has joined borders with Lebanon and Syria in the north, Jordan in the east and Egypt in the south.

Since 1967 Israel also controls the area of the West Bank and the Gaza strip (until a final agreement will be reached with the Palestinians). Total area of the state: 8,000 sq.mls.

The land of Israel has within its borders some unique geographical features. The land is long (360 mls) and narrow (45 mls). Along the Mediterranean sea run in three distinct longitudinal sectors:

1. The Coastal plane to the west, including the major urban centers of Tel Aviv and Haifa;
2. The Mountain range in central Israel, incorporating the hills of Galilee, Samaria and Judea, including the capital, Jerusalem;
3. The Valley Region, to the east, with the Jordan River linking the two inland seas (the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth - 1300 ft below sea level).

In addition, the Southern Region comprises the desert areas of the Negev and Arava, which constitute much of the country's land area, including Beer Sheva, capital of the Negev, and Eilat on the red Sea.

In the Northeast rise the Golan Heights and snow-capped Mt. Hermon.

Israeli summers, usually from May through October, are virtually rainless. They are long, hot and humid along the coast and in Jordan Valley. In the desert region the summers are hot and dry.

The winter season, from November through March, is generally mild but cold in hilly areas. Spells of rain are interspersed with brilliant sunshine. The Dead Sea and Eilat have ideal weather, warm and sunny.

Israel's climate allows for tear-round swimming.

The state of Israel has today close to 6 million inhabitants. Being a Jewish state, it's being dominated by 5 million Jews and another million of the minority groups. The minority group consist of 700,000 Muslim Arabs, 150,000 Christian Arabs, 100,000 Druses and others. The majority of the population (85%) lives in the cities and towns, about 12% in the rural villages and 3% in Kibbutzim.

The major cities are: Jerusalem (600,000 pl.), Tel-Aviv (360,000 pl.) and Haifa (250,000 pl.).

Enclosed some additional information:

1. Transportation: Very efficient public transportation system with buses running frequently between major cities and other destinations for reasonable fees. Taxi services are also available in the big cities. All vehicles are fully air-conditioned.
2. Foreign currency: No restrictions. Tourists are free to change money in banks or licensed money changers. The rate of exchange (Feb. 99) is 4.05 Shekels to 1 US $. All major credit cards are accepted.
3. Safety: In spite of the reports in the media, it is important to know that Israel is considered as one of the safest places for tourists. Please consult your travel agent or your Israeli contact for information, prior to your departure.
4. Communication: Israel has a modern, most advanced communication system to provide any service required such as faxes, telephone calls, cellular phones, E-mail services, etc.