🇮🇱
Israel
Modern state established in 1948 in the ancient homeland of the Jewish people.
Overview
The land of ancient Israel and Judah was successively Roman Judea, Byzantine, Islamic, Crusader, Mamluk, Ottoman and British-Mandate Palestine before Israel declared independence in 1948.
Basic Information
CapitalJerusalem (claimed) / Tel Aviv (recognized)
Population9.9 million
Area22,072 km²
CurrencyIsraeli new shekel (ILS)
LanguagesHebrew, Arabic
RegionMiddle East (West Asia)
History Timeline
- c. 1000 BCEUnited monarchy under David
- 70 CERoman destruction of Second Temple
- 638Muslim conquest
- 1099Crusaders take Jerusalem
- 1917Balfour Declaration
- 1948State of Israel proclaimed
Ancient Peoples
- Israelites
- Canaanites
- Philistines
Ancient Kingdoms
- Israel
- Judah
- Hasmonean Kingdom
Empires
- Roman
- Byzantine
- Umayyad
- Crusader
- Mamluk
- Ottoman
- British Mandate
Religions
- Judaism
- Islam
- Christianity
- Druze
Culture
Hebrew literary revival, Israeli cinema, kibbutz tradition.
Language
Hebrew was revived as a spoken language in the late 19th century.
Important Battles
- Siege of Masada73 – 74 CE
Jewish revolt against Rome
- 1948 War1948
War of Independence
- Six-Day War1967
Territorial reshuffle of the Levant
Historical Figures
Theodor Herzl
1860 – 1904
Founder of political Zionism
David Ben-Gurion
1948 – 1963
First prime minister
Archaeological Sites
- Masada
- Megiddo
- Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls)
- Herodium
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Old City of Jerusalem
- Masada
- Bahá'í Holy Places in Haifa & Galilee
Dynasties
- House of David
- Hasmonean
- Herodian
Colonial Period
Under British Mandate 1920 – 1948.
Modern History
Parliamentary democracy; ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.