Israel, officially called the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, lying on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Lebanon to the north, Syria in the northeast, Jordan to the east, the Palestinian territories to the east and southwest, Egypt and the Red Sea to the south. The capital and the most populous city is Jerusalem; while the financial center is Tel Aviv. The area of Israel is more than 20 thousand square kilometers; the population is about 8.2 million people. The official languages are Hebrew and Arabic.

The national currency is the Israeli new shekel (NIS). You can exchange currency at airports, post offices, banks, licensed exchange agencies and hotels. Major credit cards are widely accepted.

Israel is a wonderful country, which is extremely popular among all categories of tourists. Despite its small size, Israel possesses very rich geographical and recreational resources, as it is washed by four seas: the Mediterranean Sea, the Dead Sea, the Red Sea and the Sea of Galilee. Here you get everything at once: the oriental charm and European gloss, beaches and archeological ruins, history and first-class service. The capital of the country, Jerusalem, is the heart and cradle of Christianity and a highly revered site for Jews and Muslims. Its meandering narrow streets are filled with the cry of muezzins, the Christian monks singing and rhythmic prayers of religious Jews.

The cultural capital of Israel and its business center is Tel Aviv. It is the birthplace of the Israeli elite ruling class.

Thosewho seek for spiritualsilence will like Judean Desert with its pearl, the Dead Sea, whose water takes away tiredness and heals diseases.

In Galilee you will see a large freshwater lake, called the Sea of Galilee, where many Bible wonders took place. You also can swim in the Jordan and visit the three famous marine cities – Caesarea, Haifa and Acre.

Airports

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), the main international airport of Israel. It is located 19 kilometers from the center of Tel Aviv.

Ovda Airport (VDA) is located around 60 kilometers from Eilat.

Haifa International Airport (HFA)

Diving in Israel

Visiting Israel you can enjoy the sunny beaches of on the Mediterranean Sea and picturesque coral reefs of the Red Sea.

Off Eilat, in the Red Sea you will find around 300 species of corals, including brain, stony, fire, table, and branching ones, as well as gorgonians and myriad sea fans. Diving here is possible all year round.

In the Coral Beach Nature Reserve you go wall diving and see the amazing Japanese Gardens.

Those who are attracted by underwater beauty but cannot dive will like Eilat Underwater Observatory, where you can see marine life without getting wet.

Those who like wreck diving can explore the Satil, a 30-meter missile ship, sunk in 1994 and situated at a depth of 25-30 meters, only 20 meters off the coast.

At the Dolphin reef you can see these friendly animals at their natural habitat.

In the Mediterranean Sea you will meet various sea inhabitants, such as octopuses, sea urchins, sponges, crabs and sea turtles.

In the Achziv Canyon, whose depth is 30 meters, you will see sea turtles, rays and other fish, gracefully swimming near walls, covered with soft corals and sponges.

Those who are interested in archeology should dive at Caesarea, an underwater archaeological park, where you can see the remains of a 2000-year-old breakwater and explore the guard towers at the port entrance.

The average water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea is 17 degrees Celsius in winter and 29 degrees in summer. In the Red Sea the water temperature ranges from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. The visibility is from 15 to 40 meters; in summer it is usually lower.