Israel and the Occupied Territories

Talal SoufanMr. Sparks8A

History Geographic Features TourismLocation Climate EconomyGovernment Customs and Traditions Environment

Where Israel is located

Israel is in the center of the Middle East. It is surrounded by a number of countries such as : Jordan on the east, Egypt on the west, Syria to the north-west and Lebanon to the north, and the Occupied Territories of Palestine. The Mediterranean Sea lies west of Israel.

Map of Israel

Geographic Features of Israel• In Israel, there are many geographic features. There are rivers, deserts, mountains

and a sea.Israel has the Jordan River running along its border with Jordan. The Jordan River eventually empties into the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth and its saltiest body of water. Israel also has the Sea of Galilee. In Israel the Jordan River is a major part of the Rift Valley, the Sea of Galilee (an important freshwater source also known as Lake Tiberias and to Israelis as Lake Kinneret), and the Dead Sea. The Jordan, Israel's largest river (322 km), originates in the Dan, Banivas, and Hasbani rivers near Mount Hermon in the Anti Lebanon Mountains. The Negev Desert is nearly 12,000 kilometers square. More than half of Israel’s total land. The Sinai Desert is connected to the Negev, and the southern Judean Hills.

Mount Hermon

Climate of Israel• In the mountain areas it is very windy,

and rainy and can snow throughout the year. Mount Hermon’s peak is covered with snow.

• Tel Aviv and Haifa experience all four seasons and are relatively cool at night.

• Known as a country with plenty of sunshine, Israel's climate ranges from temperate to tropical. Regional conditions vary, with humid summers and winters on the coast; dry summers and cold winters in the hill regions, hot dry summers and winters in the Jordan Valley; and year-round desert conditions in the Negev.

• Two distinct seasons are common: a rainy winter period from November to May; and a dry summer season which extends through the next six months. Rainfall is relatively heavy in the north and center of the country, with much less in the northern Negev and scarce amounts in the southern areas. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from 6°C to 15°C and August and June are the hottest months ranging from 22°C to 33°C.

Spring in Israel

Environment of Israel

• The most popular plant in Israel is the Olive tree. The Olive tree provides olive oil , a raw vegetable and used in cooking.

• The animals of Israel include of the range of wild mountain animals such as: Mountain Deer, Sheep, Goats and wild cats.

• The most popular flowers are the Fauna and the Flor they are popular because they can live in the harshest conditions.

Animals and Plant life in Israel

History of Israel

Birth of Jesus Christ

Exile of Jews from Spain

British leave Israel

War with Arabs U.N Six Day War

Operation Wrath of God

Prime Minister

25 DecemberAD.0 1492 1947 1948 1948 1967 1972 2001

Jesus Christ was born on this holy day.

Jews were exiled from Spain, they were forced to go to their home land.

British left Israel saying it is acceptable to Jews and Muslims.

Israel fell in war with Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq

Israel joined the United Nations.

Egypt, Jordan and Syria closed in on Israel and cut off access to the Red Sea. Israel captured Palestinian territories.

Israeli assassins assassinated individuals connected with the Munich Massacre

Ariel Sharon became the new Prime Minister of Israel.

Customs and Traditions

• Hanukah is the biggest tradition in Israel. (For the Jews). Hanukkah, from the Hebrew word for "dedication" marks the Temple of Jerusalem after its violation by the forces of Antiochus IV and commemorates the "miracle of the container of oil." According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication following the victory of the Macabees over the Selucidid Empire, there was only enough olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Somehow, the oil burned for eight days, which was the length of time it took to prepare fresh olive oil to fuel the fire later on.

Government of Israel

• The Government in Israel is a multi parliamentary system. The President of the State of Israel performs ceremonial duties and is not a part of the three branches of government.

• The parliament includes 120 members elected for a term of four years only in national elections.

• States are run by City mayors and members of the city council, and they are elected in regional elections held every five years. The current President is Shimon Peres.

Shimon Peres

Economy of Israel

• Poor in natural resources, Israel depends on imports of petroleum, coal, food, uncut diamonds, other production inputs, and military equipment. It also has received substantial direct economic aid from the United States, including approximately $1.2 billion per year since the mid-1970's

• Israel’s GDP per Capita is $31,167.

Shekel Israel’s current currency.

Tourism in (your country)

• Israel mainly has religious and architectural tourist sites, and modern beaches , and resorts.

• The holiest place in Israel is Jerusalem, Kingdom of Judah and the United Monarchy. This site is rumored to have an ancient temple in ruins beneath the holy Islamic mosque, AKA Dome of the Rock. It is also the site of where Jesus Christ was crucified

Global Awareness

• Physical:There are mountains and rivers in Israel. They affect tourism and economy because of the springs that are located for water supply, and tourism for those adrenalin junkies.

• Political:Israeli politics is globally active, with the U S, Europe and other countries, but is currently in political and physical war with Palestine and Lebanon.One of the most famous Israeli leader is Ariel Sharon Israeli Prime MinisterFamous for being the prime minister of Israel, being part of the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and for forming the Kadima party. Sharon fell into a coma in 2006 and has not regained consciousness.

• Economic:The United States of America support Israel by exporting large and expensive amounts of fire arms and military related items. The lack of resources is a barrier that stops Israel from expanding and evolving into a better country.

Bibliography

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Category:Rivers_of_Israel• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Hermon• http://www.thirdtemple.com/images/israel-

map/israel.jpg• http://www.israel-mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/

2000_2009/2001/9/Flora%20and%20Fauna%20in%20Israel

• http://gallery.tourism.gov.il/pages/DisplayImage.aspx?ImageId=2332

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Israel