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Compare Israel (2001) - Finland (2001)

Compare Israel (2001) z Finland (2001)

 Israel (2001)Finland (2001)
 IsraelFinland
Administrative divisions 6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv 6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani, Ita-Suomen Laani, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani
Age structure 0-14 years:
27.36% (male 831,523; female 792,982)

15-64 years:
62.73% (male 1,869,114; female 1,855,707)

65 years and over:
9.91% (male 253,105; female 335,662) (2001 est.)
0-14 years:
18% (male 474,967; female 456,584)

15-64 years:
66.97% (male 1,750,660; female 1,715,358)

65 years and over:
15.03% (male 300,569; female 477,645) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish
Airports 55 (2000 est.) 159 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
30

over 3,047 m:
2

2,438 to 3,047 m:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
7

914 to 1,523 m:
10

under 914 m:
7 (2000 est.)
total:
69

over 3,047 m:
3

2,438 to 3,047 m:
26

1,524 to 2,437 m:
10

914 to 1,523 m:
20

under 914 m:
10 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
25

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
4

under 914 m:
20 (2000 est.)
total:
90

914 to 1,523 m:
6

under 914 m:
84 (2000 est.)
Area total:
20,770 sq km

land:
20,330 sq km

water:
440 sq km
total:
337,030 sq km

land:
305,470 sq km

water:
31,560 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than New Jersey slightly smaller than Montana
Background Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations are being conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives (from the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip) and Israel and Syria, to achieve a permanent settlement. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. On 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982. Ruled by Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries and by Russia from 1809, Finland finally won its independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and fend off invasions by the Soviet Union and Germany. In the subsequent half century, the Finns have made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now on par with Western Europe. As a member of the European Union, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999.
Birth rate 19.12 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 10.69 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$40 billion

expenditures:
$42.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
revenues:
$36.1 billion

expenditures:
$31 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Capital Jerusalem; note - Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like nearly all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv Helsinki
Climate temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes
Coastline 273 km 1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations)
Constitution no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law 17 July 1919
Country name conventional long form:
State of Israel

conventional short form:
Israel

local long form:
Medinat Yisra'el

local short form:
Yisra'el
conventional long form:
Republic of Finland

conventional short form:
Finland

local long form:
Suomen Tasavalta

local short form:
Suomi
Currency new Israeli shekel (ILS) markka (FIM); euro (EUR)

note:
on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Finland at a fixed rate of 5.94573 markkaa per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002
Death rate 6.22 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 9.75 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $38 billion (2000 est.) $30 billion (December 1993)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Martin S. INDYK

embassy:
71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv

mailing address:
PSC 98, Unit 7228, APO AE 09830

telephone:
[972] (3) 519-7575

FAX:
[972] (3) 517-3227

consulate(s) general:
Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign government
chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Carol VAN VOORST

embassy:
Itainen Puistotie 14B, FIN-00140, Helsinki

mailing address:
APO AE 09723

telephone:
[358] (9) 171931

FAX:
[358] (9) 174681
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador David IVRY

chancery:
3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 364-5500

FAX:
[1] (202) 364-5607

consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jaakko Tapani LAAJAVA

chancery:
3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 298-5800

FAX:
[1] (202) 298-6030

consulate(s) general:
Los Angeles and New York
Disputes - international West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights) none
Economic aid - donor - ODA, $379 million (1997)
Economic aid - recipient $1.1 billion from the US (1999) -
Economy - overview Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with substantial government participation. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Israel is largely self-sufficient in food production except for grains. Cuts diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable current account deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's external debt is owed to the US, which is its major source of economic and military aid. The influx of Jewish immigrants from the former USSR topped 750,000 during the period 1989-99, bringing the population of Israel from the former Soviet Union to 1 million, one-sixth of the total population, and adding scientific and professional expertise of substantial value for the economy's future. The influx, coupled with the opening of new markets at the end of the Cold War, energized Israel's economy, which grew rapidly in the early 1990s. But growth began moderating in 1996 when the government imposed tighter fiscal and monetary policies and the immigration bonus petered out. Growth was a strong 5.9% in 2000. But the outbreak of Palestinian unrest in late September and the collapse of the BARAK Government - coupled with a cooling off in the high-technology and tourist sectors - undercut the boom and foreshadows a slowdown to 2%-3% in 2001. Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy, with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Trade is important, with exports equaling more than one-third of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. Rapidly increasing integration with Western Europe - Finland was one of the 11 countries joining the euro monetary system (EMU) on 1 January 1999 - will dominate the economic picture over the next several years. Growth in 2001 will be bolstered by strong private consumption, yet may be 1 or 2 points lower than in 2000, largely because of a weakening in export demand.
Electricity - consumption 31.899 billion kWh (1999) 81.611 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 1.061 billion kWh (1999) 232 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 4 million kWh (1999) 11.356 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 35.437 billion kWh (1999) 75.792 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
99.89%

hydro:
0.11%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel:
41.88%

hydro:
16.77%

nuclear:
28.82%

other:
12.53% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Dead Sea -408 m

highest point:
Har Meron 1,208 m
lowest point:
Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point:
Haltiatunturi 1,328 m
Environment - current issues limited arable land and natural fresh water resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
Environment - international agreements party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation
party to:
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Jewish 80.1% (Europe/America-born 32.1%, Israel-born 20.8%, Africa-born 14.6%, Asia-born 12.6%), non-Jewish 19.9% (mostly Arab) (1996 est.) Finn 93%, Swede 6%, Sami 0.11%, Roma 0.12%, Tatar 0.02%
Exchange rates new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.0810 (December 2000), 4.0773 (2000), 4.1397 (1999), 3.8001 (1998), 3.4494 (1997), 3.1917 (1996) euros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); markkaa per US dollar - 5.3441 (1998), 5.1914 (1997), 4.5936 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state:
President Moshe KATSAV (since 31 July 2000)

head of government:
Prime Minister Ariel SHARON (since 2 March 2001)

cabinet:
Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset

elections:
president elected by the Knesset for a five-year term; election last held 31 July 2000 (next to be held NA July 2005); prime minister elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 6 February 2001 (next to be held NA 2005); note - in March 1992, the Knesset approved legislation, effective in 1996, which allowed for the direct election of the prime minister, but in 2001 the Knesset voted to restore the previous method under which the legislators will choose the next prime minister after the next legislative elections in 2003

election results:
Moshe KATSAV elected president by the 120-member Knesset with a total of 60 votes, other candidate, Shimon PERES, received 57 votes (there were three abstentions); Ariel SHARON elected prime minister; percent of vote - Ariel SHARON 62.5%, Ehud BARAK 37.4%; note - after the next legislative elections scheduled for 2003, the prime minister will be elected by the Knesset
chief of state:
President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)

head of government:
Prime Minister Paavo LIPPONEN (since 13 April 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sauli NIINISTO (since 13 April 1995)

cabinet:
Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 6 February 2000 (next to be held NA February 2006); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed from the majority party by the president after parliamentary elections

election results:
Tarja HALONEN elected president; percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 51.6%, Esco AHO (Kesk) 48.4%

note:
government coalition - SDP, Kok, Leftist Alliance (People's Democratic Union and Democratic Alternative), SFP, and Green Union
Exports $31.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $44.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; timber, paper, pulp
Exports - partners US 36%, UK 6%, Benelux 5%, Hong Kong 4%, Netherlands 4% (1999) EU 58% (Germany 13%, Sweden 10%, UK 9%, France 5%, Netherlands 4%), US 8%, Russia, Japan (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag white with a blue cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
GDP purchasing power parity - $110.2 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $118.3 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
4%

industry:
37%

services:
59% (1999 est.)
agriculture:
3.5%

industry:
29%

services:
67.5% (1999)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $18,900 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $22,900 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.9% (2000 est.) 5.6% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 31 30 N, 34 45 E 64 00 N, 26 00 E
Geography - note there are 231 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank, 42 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 25 in the Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (August 2000 est.) long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain
Heliports 2 (2000 est.) -
Highways total:
15,965 km

paved:
15,965 km (including 56 km of expressways)

unpaved:
0 km (1998 est.)
total:
77,796 km

paved:
49,789 km (including 444 km of expressways)

unpaved:
28,042 km (1999)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
2.8%

highest 10%:
26.9% (1992)
lowest 10%:
4.2%

highest 10%:
21.6% (1991)
Illicit drugs increasingly concerned about cocaine and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and increasingly Jordan -
Imports $35.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $32.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Imports - commodities raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, consumer goods foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, grains
Imports - partners US 20%, Benelux 11%, Germany 8%, UK 8%, Switzerland 6%, Italy 5% (1999) EU 60% (Germany 15%, Sweden 11%, UK 7%), US 8%, Russia 7%, Japan 6% (1999)
Independence 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) 6 December 1917 (from Russia)
Industrial production growth rate 7% (2000) 7.5% (2000)
Industries high-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, diamond cutting metal products, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing
Infant mortality rate 7.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 0.1% (2000 est.) 3.4% (2000 est.)
International organization participation BSEC (observer), CCC, CE (observer), CERN (observer), EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 21 (2000) 23 (2000)
Irrigated land 1,800 sq km (1993 est.) 640 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (justices appointed for life by the president) Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president)
Labor force 2.4 million (2000 est.) 2.6 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation public services 31.2%, manufacturing 20.2%, finance and business 13.1%, commerce 12.8%, construction 7.5%, personal and other services 6.4%, transport, storage, and communications 6.2%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 2.6% (1996) public services 32%, industry 22%, commerce 14%, finance, insurance, and business services 10%, agriculture and forestry 8%, transport and communications 8%, construction 6%
Land boundaries total:
1,006 km

border countries:
Egypt 255 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km
total:
2,628 km

border countries:
Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km
Land use arable land:
17%

permanent crops:
4%

permanent pastures:
7%

forests and woodland:
6%

other:
66% (1993 est.)
arable land:
8%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
76%

other:
16% (1993 est.)
Languages Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language Finnish 93.4% (official), Swedish 5.9% (official), small Lapp- and Russian-speaking minorities
Legal system mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; in December 1985, Israel informed the UN Secretariat that it would no longer accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request legislation interpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch unicameral Knesset or parliament (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 17 May 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - One Israel 20.2%, Likud Party 14.1%, Shas 13%, MERETZ 7.6%, Yisra'el Ba'Aliya 5.1%, Shinui 5%, Center Party 5%, National Religious Party 4.2%, United Torah Judaism 3.7%, United Arab List 3.4%, National Union 3%, Hadash 2.6%, Yisra'el Beiteinu 2.6%, Balad 1.9%, One Nation 1.9%, Democratic Movement NA (party formed after election, members elected under Yisra'el Ba'Aliya list); seats by party - One Israel 26, Likud Party 19, Shas 17, MERETZ 10, Yisra'el Ba'Aliya 4, Shinui 6, Center Party 6, National Religious Party 5, United Torah Judaism 5, United Arab List 5, National Union 4, Hadash 3, Yisra'el Beiteinu 4, Democratic Movement 2 (party formed after election, members elected under Yisra'el Ba'Aliya list), Balad 2, One Nation 2
unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 21 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - SDP 22.9%, Kesk 22.5%, Kok 21.0%, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 10.9%, SFP 5.1%, Green Union 7.2%, SKL 4.2%; seats by party - SDP 51, Kesk 48, Kok 46, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 20, SFP 11, Green Union 11, SKL 10, other 3
Life expectancy at birth total population:
78.71 years

male:
76.69 years

female:
80.84 years (2001 est.)
total population:
77.58 years

male:
73.92 years

female:
81.36 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
95%

male:
97%

female:
93% (1992 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
100% (1980 est.)

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
Location Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
Map references Middle East Europe
Maritime claims continental shelf:
to depth of exploitation

territorial sea:
12 NM
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone:
12 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 NM)
Merchant marine total:
17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 631,582 GRT/745,011 DWT

ships by type:
container 16, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)
total:
98 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,172,808 GRT/1,138,175 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 9, cargo 23, chemical tanker 5, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 11, railcar carrier 1, roll on/roll off 37, short-sea passenger 11 (2000 est.)
Military branches Israel Defense Forces (includes ground, naval, and air components), Pioneer Fighting Youth (Nahal), Frontier Guard, Chen (women); note - historically there have been no separate Israeli military services Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (includes Sea Guard)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $8.7 billion (FY99) $1.8 billion (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 9.4% (FY99) 2% (FY98)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
1,522,003

females age 15-49:
1,482,027 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
1,251,700 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
1,245,757

females age 15-49:
1,208,973 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
1,033,188 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age 17 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
49,206

females:
53,379 (2001 est.)
males:
33,883 (2001 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May Independence Day, 6 December (1917)
Nationality noun:
Israeli(s)

adjective:
Israeli
noun:
Finn(s)

adjective:
Finnish
Natural hazards sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts NA
Natural resources timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand, oil timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver
Net migration rate 2.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 708 km; petroleum products 290 km; natural gas 89 km natural gas 580 km
Political parties and leaders Balad or National Democratic Alliance [Amnon LIPKIN-SHAHAK]; Center Party [Yitzhak MORDECHAI]; Democratic Movement [Roman BRONFMAN]; Gesher [David LEVI]; Hadash [Muhammad BARAKA]; Labor Party [leader vacant]; Likud Party [Ariel SHARON]; MERETZ [Yossi SARID]; National Democratic Alliance (Balad) [leader NA]; National Religious Party [Yitzhak LEVY]; National Union [Rehavam ZEEVI] (includes Herut, Tekuma, and Moledet); One Israel [leader NA] (includes Labor, Gesher, and Meimad); One Nation [Amir PERETZ]; Shas [Eliyahu YISHAI]; Shinui [Tommy LAPID]; United Arab List [Abd al-Malik DAHAMSHAH]; United Torah Judaism [Rabbi Eliezer SHACK, spiritual leader]; Yisra'el Ba'Aliya [Natan SHARANSKY]; Yisra'el Beiteinu [Avigdor LIEBERMAN] Center Party or Kesk [Esko AHO]; Finnish Christian Union or SKL [C. P. Bjarne KALLIS]; Green Union [Satu HASSI]; Leftist Alliance (Communist) composed of People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative [Suvi-Anne SIIMES]; National Coalition (conservative) Party or Kok [Sauli NIINISTO]; Reform Group [Risto KUISMA]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Paavo LIPPONEN]; Swedish People's Party or SFP [Jan-Erik ENESTAM]; True Finns [Timo SOINI]
Political pressure groups and leaders Gush Emunim, Israeli nationalists advocating Jewish settlement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip; Peace Now supports territorial concessions in the West Bank and is critical of government's Lebanon policy Communist Workers Party [Timo LAHDENMAKI]; Constitutional Rightist Party; Finnish Communist Party-Unity [Yrjo HAKANEN]; Finnish Pensioners Party
Population 5,938,093 (July 2001 est.)

note:
includes about 176,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, about 20,000 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, about 6,900 in the Gaza Strip, and about 173,000 in East Jerusalem (August 2000 est.)
5,175,783 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 1.58% (2001 est.) 0.16% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Ashdod, Ashqelon, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa, Tel Aviv-Yafo Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Loviisa, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Turku, Uusikaupunki, Varkaus
Radio broadcast stations AM 23, FM 15, shortwave 2 (1998) AM 2, FM 186, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 3.07 million (1997) 7.7 million (1997)
Railways total:
610 km

standard gauge:
610 km 1.435-m gauge (1996)
total:
5,865 km

broad gauge:
5,865 km 1.524-m gauge (2,192 km electrified; 480 km double or multiple track) (1998)
Religions Jewish 80.1%, Muslim 14.6% (mostly Sunni Muslim), Christian 2.1%, other 3.2% (1996 est.) Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.75 male(s)/female

total population:
0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.63 male(s)/female

total population:
0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
most highly developed system in the Middle East although not the largest

domestic:
good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital

international:
3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
general assessment:
modern system with excellent service

domestic:
cable, microwave radio relay, and an extensive cellular net provide domestic needs

international:
1 submarine cable; satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)
Telephones - main lines in use 2.8 million (1999) 2.861 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 2.5 million (1999) 2,162,574 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 17 (plus 36 low-power repeaters) (1995) 130 (plus 385 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills
Total fertility rate 2.57 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.7 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 9% (2000 est.) 9.8% (2000 est.)
Waterways none 6,675 km

note:
includes Saimaa Canal; 3,700 km suitable for large ships
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