Israel is located in the Middle East, along the eastern coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt. It lies at the junction of three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. Israel is a parliamentary democracy with legislative, executive and judicial branches.

Although small in size, about 21,596 sq km it has varied topographical features ranging from forested highlands and fertile green valleys to mountainous deserts and from the coastal plain to the semitropical Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth.

Israel’s climate is characterized by much sunshine, the rainy season extends from October to early May, and rainfall peaks in December through February.

Israel has a rich variety of flora and fauna with 116 species of mammals native to Israel, 511 kinds of birds, 97 types of reptiles and seven types of amphibians and some 2,780 types of plants grow countrywide. Eilat’s coral reef is regarded as a national treasure, and its corals, sponges and shellfish have been protected since 1956.

Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, the seat of government and the historical, spiritual and national center of the Jewish people since King David made it the capital of his kingdom over 3,000 years ago. The city of Jerusalem presents a contrast, the Old City is over two thousand years old, and the streets are very narrow and winding while the new city is like any other modern new city, with wide boulevards and highways.

Jews, Moslems and Christians of all denominations hold Jerusalem to be a Holy City, and a site for major religious pilgrimages.

The leading car rental agencies in Israel are Avis, Budget, Sixt, and Eldan.