10 Interesting Facts You Didn't Know About Israel
Despite it’s small geographic size, Israel has made immense scientific and technological contributions. It is much more than the desert that characterizes it, or the Middle Eastern cultural assumptions usually associated with the country. Check out our list of surprising facts you might not know about Israel.
#1 Israel has the highest number of altruistic kidney donations per capita in the world: 1,005 in the past 11 years, and counting.
#4 Israel is the only country to have revived a dead language and made it the national language.
#7 Israel is bordered by snowy peaks at one end and a desert beach on the other.
#2 About 1 million notes are left in the Western Wall every year.
#5 Israel has 137 beaches, sea and ‘matkot’, the unofficial, yet somehow official national sport, which is a traditional beach game of tennis without a net or scores.
#8 Israel recycles 90% of the waste water it creates, making it the leading nation in the world for water recycling. In the United States, only 1% of wastewater is recycled.
#3 Vegan Nation: Israel has one of the highest proportions of vegans per capita in the world. The country embraces plant-based eating, with an abundance of vegan-friendly restaurants, cafes, and food options. Tel Aviv, in particular, has been named the vegan capital of the world.
#6 The cherry tomato, beloved salad garnish and snacking vegetable, was invented in Israel.
#9 Coral Reef Conservation: Despite its relatively small coastline, Israel has successfully protected and revitalized its coral reefs. The country has implemented strict conservation measures, leading to the flourishing of coral ecosystems in the Red Sea, providing a haven for diverse marine life.
#10 Babies in Israel are 10 times less likely to be allergic to peanuts than in other countries. Studies suggest it’s because they eat Bamba peanut snacks from an early age.