Overview of Palestine

Profile

The State of Palestine is located in West Asia with administrative authority over the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Home to numerous religious and historical holy sites, it serves as the crossroads of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The terrain features diverse landscapes including coastal plains, limestone hills, the Dead Sea shores at the world''s lowest point, and the northern edge of the dry Negev. No official currency is designated; Israeli new shekel, Jordanian dinar, and US dollar circulate. With a high youth population ratio, traditional industries like embroidery and olive soap thrive. While the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and divided governance cast shadows over socioeconomic development, entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm for education have fostered growth in IT and service sectors.

Official name: State of Palestine
Common name: Palestine
Numeric code: 275
Alpha-3 code: PSE
Alpha-2 code: PS
Population: Approximately 5.3 million (2024)
Population density: Approximately 830 people/km2
Primary languages: Arabic
Major religions: Islam, Christianity
National anthem: Bilādi Bilādi Bilādi (My Homeland)
Calling code: +970
Internet TLD: .ps

History

Ruled by numerous empires since ancient Canaan, experienced British mandate in the 20th century, and has pursued state-building alongside conflict with Israel since 1948.

With the rise of Zionism in the late 19th century, Arab-Jewish tensions escalated in British Mandate Palestine, culminating in the First Arab-Israeli War after the 1947 UN partition resolution. Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza in the 1967 Six-Day War; following the First Intifada in 1987, the 1993 Oslo Accords established the Palestinian Authority. After the 2006 elections, Fatah and Hamas split, leading to dual governance in the West Bank and Gaza. In 2012, Palestine became a UN observer state, with over 140 nations expressing recognition by 2024.

Geography & climate

Diverse micro-topography spreading from Mediterranean coastal plains to limestone hills, Jordan Valley lowlands, and semi-arid southern zones.

Mixed Mediterranean climate and steppe-desert climate

Area: Asia / 6020 km²
Capital: Ramallah (provisional)
Largest city: Gaza
Coastal status: Yes
Bordering countries: Israel, Egypt, Jordan

Natural resources

Limestone, Dead Sea southern shore salt, olives, dates, solar power, tourism resources, underground aquifers, gypsum, small amounts of natural gas (offshore), cultural heritage sites

Politics

Government: Semi-presidential republic (provisional autonomous government)

Economy

Currency: Israeli new shekel (ILS)

GDP (nominal): 191 hundred million USD (2022)

GDP (PPP): 359 hundred million international dollars (2022)

Language & timezone

Primary languages: Arabic

Time zone: Eastern European Time, Eastern European Summer Time

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

Palestinian Arabs, Samaritans, Armenians, Circassians, Bedouin

Life expectancy

Approximately 74.4 years

Literacy rate

Approximately 97%

National sports

Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Taekwondo, Athletics