Israel, a small country in the Middle East, boasts remarkable achievements. It is not only known for its advanced technology, innovative business environment, and prosperous economy but also plays a crucial role in international affairs with its military strength and geopolitical significance.
However, it is hard to believe that a country with a land area of just over 20,000 square kilometers (which is only slightly larger than Nghệ An province in Vietnam) has been able to achieve such outstanding accomplishments.
Geographical Conditions of Israel
As a small nation located in the Middle East, Israel has relatively small landmass and unique geographical conditions that can limit its development.
In the 2022 World Happiness Report (WHR), the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network ranked Israel as the 9th happiest country in the world. (Photo: National Geographic).
Israel is located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the southeast, and Egypt to the south. Although Israel has a Mediterranean coastline, most of its territory, especially the interior regions, consists of vast desert.
This leads to severe water scarcity; the country receives limited annual rainfall, with most occurring in the winter months. These unfavorable geographical conditions have restricted agricultural development in Israel, making local agricultural production insufficient to meet domestic demand, leading to reliance on imports.
Israel’s Mediterranean coastline faces threats from natural disasters due to its geographical location. (Photo: Audleytravel).
The geographical location of Israel also poses a security threat to itself. Situated at the crossroads of the Middle East, the surrounding countries experience political instability and frequent conflicts. This compels Israel to invest substantial resources in national security, including building its military and acquiring weapons and equipment. Such investments significantly weaken its ability to allocate resources to other sectors.
Additionally, due to border disputes and unstable relations with neighboring countries, Israel has faced economic blockades and sanctions, limiting its economic exchanges and cooperation with other nations.
The Mediterranean coastal region of this country is also prone to natural hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis, adding further risk and instability for the residents. This necessitates that the Israeli government invest more resources in disaster response and prevention, further constraining its development in other areas.
How Has Israel Overcome Geographical Limitations?
Israel, a small nation in the Middle East, faces geographical limitations. However, through continuous technological innovation, it has overcome these constraints and achieved remarkable development.
Water scarcity is a top serious issue for Israel. (Photo: Audleytravel)
One of the greatest geographical challenges for Israel is water scarcity. The region is arid year-round, and water resources are very limited. However, Israel has utilized scientific and technological innovations to develop advanced water treatment technologies that enable more efficient use of water resources. A successful example is Israel’s drip irrigation system, which minimizes water waste by delivering droplets directly to the roots of plants.
Moreover, Israel has developed a technology called reverse osmosis, which can convert seawater into drinkable water. These technological innovations have allowed Israel to develop agriculture with limited water resources and become one of the world’s leading agricultural producers.
Effective water management enables Israel to cultivate various agricultural crops, from grains to fruits. (Photo: CIO).
Another geographical challenge Israel faces is poor soil quality. The fertility of the soil is low, making it unsuitable for agricultural production. However, Israel has developed a range of agricultural technologies that allow efficient production in such environments. One key technology is the precision irrigation system. This system can deliver water and nutrients precisely according to the needs of crops, enhancing productivity and quality.
Additionally, Israel has developed a method known as soilless farming, which produces high-quality agricultural products without soil by growing plants in artificial nutrient solutions. These scientific and technological innovations not only help Israel realize agricultural development but also position it as a leader in agricultural technology.
With over half of its land area being desert, harsh climatic conditions, and water scarcity entirely unsuitable for agriculture, Israel remains one of the world’s agricultural exporters and leads in agricultural technology. (Photo: Israel21c)
Israel has also achieved numerous breakthroughs in energy and environmental protection. As a coastal nation along the Mediterranean, Israel capitalizes on its abundant solar energy to robustly develop solar technology. Israel has made significant strides in solar energy, not only leading many countries in solar power generation but also developing a range of solar products such as solar water heaters and solar lights.
The application of these technologies not only provides Israel with renewable energy but also contributes significantly to the global energy sector’s development. Furthermore, Israel is committed to researching and developing environmental protection technologies, helping reduce environmental pollution and safeguard ecological balance through technological innovation.
How Israel’s Economic and Military Strength Development Has Transformed It into a Superpower
Israel is a nation with unique characteristics in the Middle East; its uniqueness is reflected not only in its geographical location but also in the development of its economy and military strength. Israel’s achievements in these areas have positioned it as a superpower.
Unable to rely on natural water sources, the country has intensified desalination of seawater, not only to meet human consumption but also for agricultural purposes. Additionally, recycling wastewater up to 75% provides Israel with additional sources of water. (Photo: Israel21c)
Israel’s economic development is one of the foundations for its superpower status. Despite its relatively limited land resources, its human resources are abundant.
Israel has a highly educated talent pool, excelling in fields such as science and technology, agriculture, healthcare, and media. The creativity and technological proficiency of Israel are recognized globally. This has also made Israel one of the hotbeds for startups and technological innovation worldwide.
Israel’s achievements in military strength development are also impressive. As a nation with relatively high political and military risks, Israel has invested substantial energy and resources into military technology and strategic thinking.
The Israeli defense industry is capable of independently designing and manufacturing various types of weapons, including the Jew missile, Tomahawk cruise missile, and Harpoon anti-ship missile. These weapons and equipment not only ensure Israel’s national security but also become important military export products.
As a nation with relatively high political and military risks, Israel has invested substantial energy and resources into military technology and strategic thinking. (Photo: APM Reports).
In addition, Israel has achieved impressive accomplishments in the field of intelligence. Israel has established the most advanced and effective intelligence network in the world, and its capabilities in intelligence gathering, analysis, and counter-terrorism operations are renowned globally. This robust intelligence capability has ensured national security for Israel and has also garnered cooperation and support from other nations.
Although Israel has made significant achievements in economic and military fields, it does not mean that the nation is free from challenges and difficulties. Israel has limited land area, surrounded by various geopolitical risks, and the political environment in the region is often unstable.
Despite this, Israel offers many examples for the rest of the world to learn from. Its education and innovation system has become an inspiring model that positively impacts not only the people of Israel but also the global community.
