Capital of Israel: Jerusalem — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Israel is Jerusalem. Israel sits in Asia, has a population of 9,038,309, and uses the ILS. Official languages include Hebrew, Arabic.
Quick facts
- Capital: Jerusalem
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~9,038,309
- Area: 20,770 km²
- Population density: 435 people per km²
- Official languages: Hebrew, Arabic
- Currency: ILS
- ISO code: IL
How big is Israel?
By population, Israel ranks 98th in the world, holding roughly 0.11% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 150th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Israel has 435 people per square kilometre, which is about 7.3 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Israel is the 31th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Israel in population are Austria (8,939,617) and Togo (8,848,699).
By land area, its closest counterparts are El Salvador (21,041 km²) and Slovenia (20,273 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Hebrew is listed as an official language of Israel alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
The ILS is not unique to Israel — it is also used by Palestine. Shared currencies usually mark a monetary union or a long-standing peg, and they are a useful shortcut in quizzes: get one country's currency and you often get several.
How to remember Israel
Wikipedia describes Jerusalem as Israel's government seat and proclaimed capital, with limited international recognition, while Tel Aviv is its largest urban area. The quiz answer is Jerusalem. For the flag, picture a white prayer shawl with blue stripes and the Star of David between them.
The flag of Israel: blue and white
🇮🇱 The flag is a white flag with two horizontal blue stripes near the top and bottom and a blue six-pointed Star of David in the centre. The design looks like a tallit, the traditional Jewish prayer shawl, which is white with blue stripes. The Star of David has been a Jewish symbol since medieval times.
Region and neighbours
Israel is a country in West Asia at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, whose southern tip reaches the Red Sea, with the Negev desert in the south. It shares land borders with 5 countries: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Palestine. The border with Palestine runs along the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
- Lebanon 🇱🇧 — capital Beirut
- Syria 🇸🇾 — capital Damascus
- Jordan 🇯🇴 — capital Amman
- Egypt 🇪🇬 — capital Cairo
- Palestine 🇵🇸 — capital Ramallah
Three facts about Israel
- The shore of the Dead Sea, on Israel's eastern side, is the lowest point on land on Earth.
- Hebrew is the official language, and Arabic has a special status.
- Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and is a holy city for Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Sources: Wikipedia: Israel, Wikipedia: Flag of Israel, Wikipedia: Jerusalem, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Israel
- Asian capitals quiz — match Israel to Jerusalem
- Asian flags quiz — spot the Israel flag among its neighbours
Israel capital quiz
What is the capital of Israel 🇮🇱?
- Vientiane
- Tbilisi
- Damascus
- Jerusalem
Show answer
Jerusalem
What is the capital of United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪?
- Abu Dhabi
- Jerusalem
- Malé
- Manila
Show answer
Abu Dhabi
What is the capital of Tajikistan 🇹🇯?
- Singapore
- Baghdad
- Ramallah
- Dushanbe
Show answer
Dushanbe
What is the capital of Azerbaijan 🇦🇿?
- Dhaka
- Pyongyang
- Doha
- Baku
Show answer
Baku
What is the capital of Laos 🇱🇦?
- Yerevan
- Kathmandu
- Amman
- Vientiane
Show answer
Vientiane
Israel is also in the Middle East capitals quiz.
Israel in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Israel belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Israel.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Israel?
The capital of Israel is Jerusalem.
What is the population of Israel?
About 9,038,309, making it the 98th most populous country in the world.
How big is Israel?
20,770 square kilometres, ranking 150th by land area, at a density of 435 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Israel use?
The ILS, shared with 1 other country.
What are the colours of the Israel flag?
The flag of Israel is a white flag with two horizontal blue stripes near the top and bottom and a blue six-pointed Star of David in the centre. The design looks like a tallit, the traditional Jewish prayer shawl, which is white with blue stripes. The Star of David has been a Jewish symbol since medieval times.
Which countries border Israel?
Israel shares land borders with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Palestine. The border with Palestine runs along the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
How can I remember the capital of Israel?
Wikipedia describes Jerusalem as Israel's government seat and proclaimed capital, with limited international recognition, while Tel Aviv is its largest urban area. The quiz answer is Jerusalem. For the flag, picture a white prayer shawl with blue stripes and the Star of David between them.
More capitals to learn
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