Hananya Naftali
Mar 20, 2023
Israel’s Size and Geography
The Short Answer
Israel covers about 22,000 square kilometers, or about 8,500 square miles, roughly the size of New Jersey. It is about 470 kilometers (290 miles) long from north to south. Before 1967, its narrowest point near Netanya was only about 15 kilometers (9 miles) wide, from the West Bank line to the sea.
A Small Country With Huge Variety
Israel has snow on Mount Hermon in the north, Mediterranean beaches in the west and the Negev desert in the south, which makes up more than half of its land. The Dead Sea, on Israel's eastern edge, is the lowest place on the surface of the earth.
Why Size Matters for Security
Israel is tiny compared with its neighbors. The Arab world covers more than five million square miles, while Israel is smaller than many US states. A missile can cross the country in minutes, which is why Israel cannot afford to lose strategic high ground.
That is also why Israel insists on defensible borders in any peace deal. Read more: Are Israeli Settlements Illegal?
Key Facts
Israel is about 22,000 square kilometers, about the size of New Jersey.
It is about 470 kilometers long.
The Negev desert covers more than half the country.
The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth's surface.