ISRAEL: A Small Dot on the Map, a Whole World Within (Written by the Israel Digital Center. Date of writing: 11/10/25)

Between the river and the sea lies a democratic and dynamic nation.

A tiny spot on the map, yet a world of possibilities. Israel, covering only 27,000 square kilometers, smaller than the U.S. state of Massachusetts and just 0.4% of the Middle East, still manages to be a country larger than life.
Its strategic location at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa has made it a meeting point of cultures, trade, and civilizations throughout history. Within its borders, Israel offers a stunning variety of landscapes, climates, cultures, and thousands of years of history.

Borders of the Country

Israel is surrounded by its Arab neighbors: Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, and Egypt and the Gaza Strip to the southwest. To the west lies a beautiful Mediterranean coastline lined with major ports and scenic beaches. At the southern tip, on the Red Sea, sits Eilat - Israel’s southern gateway to the world.

The country stretches from the Jordan River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, crossing mountains, deserts, bustling cities, and unforgettable landscapes.

Changing Landscapes

Israel’s unique location gives it an extraordinary range of landscapes: from the mountains of the Galilee, the Golan Heights, and snowy Mount Hermon in the north, through the fertile coastal plain in the center, to the vast deserts of the Negev and the Arava in the south. Along its eastern border lies the Dead Sea — the lowest point on Earth.
A short two-hour drive in any direction reveals new scenery, different climates, and changing colors - a small country containing an entire world. This diversity is reflected not only in nature but also in its people and cities.

Despite its size, Israel is a global leader in nature conservation, reforestation, and desert restoration. In recent years, large-scale projects have connected science, environment, and technology — from water-saving innovations to renewable energy in the desert.

Israel’s Major Cities

Just like its landscapes, Israel’s cities reflect its cultural and religious diversity.
Jerusalem, the capital, is sacred to the three major monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and combines ancient history with modern life. Tel Aviv, on the other hand, represents Israel’s modern face: a global city leading in technology, culture, and openness, also known as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the world.
The contrast between the two, separated by only a 40-minute drive, is unlike anywhere else. the perfect expression of Israeli identity. Across the country, cities reflect a rich human mosaic of Jewish, religious, and Arab communities, each with its own character.

Israel is also known as the “Startup Nation,” home to hundreds of international tech companies. It combines scientific innovation with human creativity from groundbreaking research labs to a vibrant cultural scene. The blend of ancient heritage and cutting-edge technology, of history and futurism, is at the heart of what makes Israel unique.

“From the River to the Sea”?

Understanding Israel’s geography makes it easier to understand the slogan “From the river to the sea.” It simply describes the land between the Jordan River in the east and the Mediterranean Sea in the west.
In today’s world, however, this slogan has taken on a political meaning - used by some as a call to erase Israel from the map. But they likely overlook what truly lies between those two points: a democratic, vibrant, and innovative country that guarantees freedom of religion and culture for all its citizens.
With everything Israel has built, from research and innovation to shared life in its mixed cities, it’s no wonder some want it all for themselves. Who wouldn’t?