km/12,887 sq mi in Israel; 6220 sq km/3856 sq mi in
Gaza and the West Bank)
Population: 8.5 million (5.8 million in Israel; 2.7
million in Gaza and the West Bank)
Capital city: Jerusalem (contested); pop 623,000
People: Jewish (80%), Muslim (15%), Christians
(1.7%) and Druze (1.3%)
Language: Hebrew, Arab & English
Religion: Jewish, Muslim, Christian
Government: Republic
President: Moshe Katzav
Prime Minister: Ariel Sharon
GDP: US$103 billion
GDP per capita: US$16,291
Annual Growth: 5%
Inflation: -2%
Major Industries: Metal, defence, machinery,
technology, diamonds, chemicals
Major Trading Partners: USA, UK,
Belgium/Luxembourg, Germany
