🗺️ What surprises in Israel: two seas below the ocean and letters to God

Israel appeared on the map in 1948. By 2026, the country marked its 78th year of independence. The population exceeded 10 million people (as of 01/2026, according to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics).

In that time, the desert territory acquired a modern economy and preserved its biblical texture. Two seas here lie below ocean level, and the dead letter office holds letters addressed to God. Below, we gathered facts about Israel that surprise and are backed up by numbers.

A young state with the hoopoe as its national bird

💡 In short:

Israel has been independent since 1948, its area is smaller than Lake Michigan, and its economy is larger than that of several neighbors combined.
The country stands out for its space program, strong air force, and a record number of scientists and orchestras per capita.

The country's area is smaller than Lake Michigan, and its economy is often compared to the combined economies of its neighbors. By GDP size, the country ranks among the leaders of the Middle East.

Hoopoe with crest standing on green grass

If you fly into Tel Aviv, you will notice the modern side of the country right away. Israel launches its own satellites and belongs to a narrow circle of space powers. Its air force is considered among the best equipped in the region, and its defense industry exports equipment to dozens of countries. Israelis chose the hoopoe, a small bird with a bright crest, as their national bird.

The hoopoe nests near people and feeds on the ground, where it looks for insects. The bird was chosen as the country's symbol through a vote, and today its image appears on stamps and souvenirs.

Letters to god are delivered by Israel Post

Every year, letters addressed to God arrive in Jerusalem from all over the world. The writers often do not know the exact address, so the envelopes end up in the dead letter office of Israel Post. Every few months, bags of letters are handed over to the rabbi of the Western Wall (as of 09/2026, Western Wall Heritage Foundation).

The rabbi places the notes between the stones of the Western Wall. This is the retaining wall of the Temple Mount from the Second Temple period, built under Herod. By the same tradition, you can leave your own note too. Fold a piece of paper, find a free crack near the wall, and do not remove other people's messages.

The Methuselah palm from Masada seeds

In the 1960s, during excavations at Masada, the fortress of King Herod, date palm seeds were found. One seed sprouted in 2005 in a laboratory, and the tree was named Methuselah. Its age is estimated at about 2,000 years, meaning the contemporaries of this palm died out many centuries ago (as of 09/2026, Arava Institute).

Methuselah palm behind a fence with a sign

Once the seedling grew strong, it was transplanted into open ground at Kibbutz Ketura, where dates are grown. The tree belongs to the Judean date palm, which was considered lost. Methuselah already has offspring, and researchers are studying its genetics. If you travel to the Arava, you can see the palm at the kibbutz.

Two seas below ocean level

The Dead Sea has dropped to about 430 m below sea level and become the lowest land point on the planet (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia: Dead Sea). It is also one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world, which makes it easy to float in.

The Sea of Galilee is freshwater and is considered the lowest freshwater lake on Earth. Its surface lies about 214 m below sea level (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia: Sea of Galilee). The body of water is also called Lake Kinneret, and both seas are connected by the Jordan River.

Panorama of Ein Bokek hotels on the Dead Sea

For a traveler, the difference is noticeable. In the Dead Sea, the water holds your body like a float, but you cannot swim here for long. Do not dive and keep your eyes safe from the salty water. At the Sea of Galilee, there are regular beaches, boats, and fishing, and in the warm season the water is suitable for swimming.

Jerusalem syndrome in pilgrims

Jerusalem holds several thousand archaeological sites and artifacts. The streets of the Old City, the holy sites, and the walls create a very dense flow of impressions. Against this backdrop, some visitors develop a disorder called Jerusalem syndrome.

Western Wall Plaza in the Old City of Jerusalem

Psychiatrists at Kfar Shaul Hospital have for decades described cases where a pilgrim began to preach or believed they were a biblical figure. The condition usually passes after leaving the city. It rarely affects tourists: about one hundred cases a year (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia: Jerusalem syndrome).

If you see a person who has wrapped themselves in a hotel sheet and gone to preach in a square, do not be alarmed. This happens to about one guest out of tens of thousands of visitors. City services know about the syndrome and know how to help.

The cemetery on the Mount of Olives

The oldest continuously operating cemetery in the world lies on the Mount of Olives by the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. Burials here have been taking place for about 3,000 years, and the total number of graves is estimated at about 150,000 (as of 09/2026, Jerusalem Tourism).

Ancient stone tombs on the slope of the Mount of Olives

Among those buried are mentioned Old Testament prophets and well-known politicians. For Jews, the place is considered special: according to tradition, the resurrection of the dead will begin here. If you go to the Mount of Olives, bring water and shoes with non-slip soles, because the descent down the stone terraces is steep.

Scientists, antivirus software, and orchestras

Israel is among the countries with the largest number of scientists, engineers, and technicians per capita. It has strong universities and research centers: the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, the Technion in Haifa.

Weizmann Institute campus with particle accelerator

Israel is considered one of the pioneers of the antivirus industry, since the first computer protection solutions appeared here very early. In terms of orchestras per capita, the country surpasses most European states. In Haifa and Rehovot you will find both science museums and concert halls.

More ideas for your trip are collected in the article 10 places you must visit in Israel.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many people live in Israel?

At the beginning of 2026, the country's population exceeded 10 million people, and annual growth was about 1.1% (as of 01/2026, Israel Central Bureau of Statistics). For such a small area, this is a high density, so hotels and roads in the center of the country are busy year-round. Choose your travel dates in advance.

Is it true that the Dead Sea is below ocean level?

Yes, the shore of the Dead Sea is considered the lowest point of land on Earth. Due to evaporation, the water here is very salty, so floating on it is easy. It is better to enter wearing shoes, because the shore is sharp in places from salt.

What is Jerusalem syndrome?

This is the name for a condition in which an impressionable pilgrim in Jerusalem develops a religious obsession. Usually the person quickly comes back to their senses after leaving. There are few cases relative to the millions of visitors.

Is it true that a palm tree was grown from an ancient seed?

Yes. Date palm seeds were found during excavations of the Masada fortress, and one of them was successfully germinated. The tree was named Methuselah, and its age is estimated at about 2,000 years (as of 09/2026, Arava Institute data). The palm was later transplanted to Kibbutz Ketura.

Where is the oldest cemetery in the world?

On the Mount of Olives by the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. Burials there have been taking place for about 3,000 years (as of 09/2026, Jerusalem tourism portal data). Among those buried there are Old Testament prophets. The site is open to visitors, but you should behave quietly.

In short: what to book

Israel surprises with numbers and history at the same time. If you are planning a trip, here is a short matrix.

If biblical history matters to you: start with Jerusalem, the Western Wall, and the Mount of Olives.
If you want science and nature: add Haifa, Rehovot, and the Sea of Galilee.
If you want easy swimming: set aside one day for the Dead Sea.

The full list of places and routes is collected in the guide to the main attractions of Israel.

Israel at 78: letters to God, a palm from Masada and two seas below the ocean