Israel

Here At emirates Holiday's Middle East Travel Guide we are offering you complete information about Israel. Israel is located in the southwestern part of Asia. The country of Israel is surrounded by four South Asian countries - Lebanon on the north, Syria and Jordan on the east and the south west is bordered by Egypt.

The geography of Israel offers a wide range of variety and is divided into three main regions - the coastal plain, the mountain region and the Jordan Valley Rift. The western strip of the country is known as the coastal Plain that stretches from Rosh ha-Nikra to the Sinai Peninsula in the north and south respectively. The coastal plains include two of the main cities of Israel - Tel Aviv and Haifa.

The mountain region stretches from Lebanon to the Eilat Bay in the south. The region includes the Galilee in the north and the hills of Samaria and the Negev highlands. The third region is the Jordon Valley Rift which was caused by seismic activity in the country. A part of the Afro-Syrian rift, the Jordon valley Rift stretches from the Syrian-Turkish border to the Zambezi River in Africa. River Jordan also flows through this region which also includes the two lakes of the country - the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea.

History of Israel dates back to the Hebrew Bible. According to the first chapter of the Bible, Jacob (one of the patriarchs of the country) is rechristened Israel after wrestling with an angel of God. Thereon the nation fathered by Jacob was called "The Children of Israel" or the "Israelites". Therefore after attaining Independent Status the country was named the State of Israel in 1948.

Israel is the only Jewish state in the world and therefore comprises of a large section of Jewish population. 73 percent of the population of Israel is Jews.

The climate of Israel is divided into two main seasons: the hot summer months and the wet winter season. Israel offers the travelers the wide scope of skiing on Mt. Hermon during the winter months and swimming in the Bay of Eilat in the dry summer months.

The official language of Israel is Hebrew and Arabic. The Israelis also speak French, Spanish, Yiddish, Russian and Hungarian.

The currency of Israel is the New Israel Shekel (NIS). For the foreign travelers currency can be exchanged at the International Airport, banks, or licensed exchange agencies in the major cities of Israel. A passport is required while exchanging and the rates could vary from city to city.

If one is looking for a destination which is different from the rest of tourist attractions of the world then a visit to this Holy land of Israel is sure to satisfy you.

Culture of Israel
A review of the fifty years of any country can reflect on the cultural history of any state or country. More so in the case of Israel, where the last fifty years have been marked by a series of calamitous events which have had an effect on the cultural character of this South Asian Country of Israel.

The location of the country has also affected the culture of Israel. The country forms point of amalgamation for three continents - Asia, Europe and Africa. This strategic location of Israel allows the country to derive cultural association from all the three continents. And with a large amount of population coming from all the three continents, Israel has derived a rich cultural diversity. Arts and Crafts in Israel are widely supported by the government of Israel. Local artisans are given special provisions by the government. The country has a number of galleries and museums where the work of artisans is displayed. Art lovers in Israel will not be disappointed by the arrangement made by the government. For cities who do not have permanent exhibit sites, temporary sites are made for the art lovers.

Music of Israel is very versatile and is a combination of western and eastern music. It includes a wide variety of Asian and Arab pop and Hassidic songs.

Another cultural aspect is the theater in Israel which consists of large number of small and large groups of different genres. The first theater professionals in the country were immigrants from Europe and Russia. These immigrants found the Middle-Eastern culture that maintained a dialogue with innovative modern theatrical thinking. One of the most famous theatrical groups in the country is the Ha-Bima Theatre group that originated in Russia. Today, it is considered as the national theater company of Israel. The group presents classical and contemporary plays. The other noted theater groups are the Ha-Kameri Theater Group, Tsavta in Tel Aviv, Gesher, Haifa Theater and the Yaffo Arab-Jewish Theater.

Religion is very much a part of the lives of Jews and therefore Israelites are subject to strict etiquettes. Few of the etiquettes in Israel are strict and have to be followed by the citizens. Among the Jews handshakes are a standard mode of greeting therefore if you meet a strict follower of the Jewish tradition then you might be greeted by a handshake in Israel. Across the country of Israel, hospitality is a medium of demonstrating wealth and power. Therefore expect a lavish spread of food while visiting a friend for dinner in the country. One of the most important customs for women in the country one should remember that the knees and elbows must be covered and that they should wear high collard clothes.

The Cuisine of Israel is been influenced by the ethnic communities which constitute the population of Israel. The religious based dietary laws of Kashrut play a determining factor in the cooking and eating habits of the country. Meat and Bread constitute the daily cuisines of the country while fish has also become an integral part of informal dining in the country due to its proximity with the Mediterranean Sea.

The Israeli culture is an amalgamation of traditions and cultures from across the country and the neighboring areas.

Tourist Attractions in Israel
Located on the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the state of Israel is bordered by Lebanon and Syria in the north, Jordan in the east and Egypt to the south. Regarded as the only Jews state in the world, Israel is a fascinating country which is considered as a pilgrimage spots by the Christians, Muslims and Jews. The earliest record of the country is derived from the Old Testament of the Bible when Moses helps the Israelis to escape from Egypt and settle in Palestine.

Israel is the land where Jesus Christ, the savior of mankind was born. The state of Israel houses a number of pilgrimage spots of the Christian and Muslim community, who visit this holy land in large numbers. Most of the tourist attractions in Israel are situated in the northern city of Nazareth. Located amidst the hills of central Galilee, the city of Nazareth is regarded s the town where Jesus Christ grew up. Today, the city of Nazareth is inhabited by a large population of Christians and Muslims and Jews. It is within an hour drive east of the city of Haifa.

Few of the important tourist attractions in Israel are visited by pilgrims all through the year. The list of tourist attractions at Israel is as follows:

Synagogue Church, Nazareth: Located in the old market of Nazareth, the church is considered as the Synagogue visited by Jesus as a child. It is also the place where Jesus gave his first sermon.

The Church of Annunciation, Nazareth: This is one of the most popular tourist attractions at Israel. Located at the Casa Nove Street in Israel, the Christians believe that the church was built on the remains of the house of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.

Grotto of the Annunciation, Nazareth: According to the Bible, the Grotto commemorates the event when the chief Angel of God, Gabriel told the Mary that she would give birth to Jesus Christ. This is the earliest pilgrimage destinations in Israel; the Grotto is built over the site of the Byzantine and Crusader Churches.

Tourism in Israel benefits highly from the presence of these pilgrimage spots at Nazareth. Other tourist attractions in Israel include Cana, Nazareth, St. Gabriel's Church, Nazareth and Mary's Well, Nazareth.