Israel may be one of the most controversial topics on anyone’s plate, or palette for that matter. Having the most college degree holders per capita in the world, having the most fortune 500 companies only after America, its incredible technological advances, and of course the fact that it still exists make this tiny country an anomaly. It is also the only democracy in the Middle East.
On this day May 14th, in 1948, Israel becomes an independent state after being voted in by the United Nations. It is the only country in the world to have come into existence in such a way. Israel is in the Middle East bordered by Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.
The day after Israel’s inauguration it was invaded by all of its neighboring countries with the intent of wiping Israel off the map. Israel’s capital is Jerusalem, a city of worldwide theological importance for Christians, Jews, and Muslims. As of 2011 its population was 7,836,300, of which 5.9 million are Jewish. Prior to its independence it was controlled by British mandate. Its climate is arid, and it is for this reason that the drip system for agriculture was developed which is said to save up to 75% of excess water.