Israel: Introduction

Israel is located in the Middle East bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Neighboring countries include Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the regions Gaza Strip and West Bank. Despite its small size, Israel is home to a variety of geographic features, from the Negev desert in the south, mountain ranges in the north, and the Jordan Rift Valley in the east. The government system is a parliamentary democracy; the chief of state is the president, and the head of government is the prime minister. Israel has an advanced market system in which the prices of goods and services are determined in a free price system.