Israel

At a Glance

Israel is a small but intensely layered country where ancient history is alive in the stones of Jerusalem, the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, and the desert fortress of Masada, alongside a modern culture of remarkable creative energy centred on Tel Aviv. The food is outstanding, the nature varies from desert to Mediterranean coast in the space of an hour, and the intensity of human experience concentrated here is unlike anywhere else. It is a place that rarely leaves people indifferent.

• More startups per capita than any country except the United States.
• Mandatory military service applies to women as well as men.
• Most patents filed per capita in the world in several consecutive years.