Capital of Israel: Jerusalem
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.
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 and a page on the flag of 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.