Israel

President: Shimon Peres (2007)

Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu (2009)

Land area: 7,849 sq mi (20,329 sq km);

total area: 8,019 sq mi (20,770 sq km)

Population (2010 est.): 7,353,985

growth rate: 1.6%); birth rate: 19.5/1000;

infant mortality rate: 4.1/1000;

life expectancy: 80.8;

density per sq km: 319

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Jerusalem, 695,500 Note: Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the U.S., like nearly all other countries, maintains its embassy in Tel Aviv.

Other large cities: Tel Aviv, 365,300; Haifa, 280,200

Monetary unit: Shekel