DESCRIPTION
Located in the Middle East is Israel. Situated at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, the country borders with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt, plus West Bank and Gaza Strip. This is the only Jewish state in the world and though only a small country there is a sizeable population at around 7.3 million people. The official languages are Hebrew and Arabic and the currency is the Israeli New Sheqel. Travelers are attracted to Israel for a number of reasons though many tourists come for its history. Jerusalem, the capital and largest city, has an ancient history and is a sacred city for Jews, Muslims and Christians. The Old City is beautiful, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another popular tourist destination is Tel Aviv, a coastal city with many attractions including the White City, plus great shopping, beaches, restaurants, cafés and more. Or there’s the Red Sea city of Eilat. This is most visited for its beaches and diving, and the nearby Negev Desert is a popular tourist destination for camel treks! There’s a varied climate in Israel though travelers can count on hot summers and mild to cool winters.