Full country name: Israel
Area: 26,990 sq km (20,770 sq km in Israel; 6220 sq km 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 623,00
People: Jewish (80%), Muslim (15%), Christians (1.7%) and Druze (1.3%)
Languages: Hebrew, Arab & English
Religion: Jewish, Muslim, Christian
Government: Republic
President: Moshe Katzav
Prime Minister: Ariel Sharon

GDP: US$73 billion
GDP per head: US$12,7536 (US$18,300 in Israel; US$1600 in Gaza and the West Bank)
Annual growth: 5%
Inflation: 4.5%
Major industries: Metal, defence, machinery, technology, diamonds, chemicals
Major trading partners: USA, UK, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany