Gem, Rock, and Mineral Postage Stamps From
Israel

Official Name:	State of Israel
National Name:	Medinat Yisra'el; Yisra'el
Alternate Names:	Israel
Monetary Units:	Israeli pound (IL) = 1,000 prutoth. In 1980, the Shekel replaced the former pound at 10 old pounds = 1 shekel. 1 Israeli shekel (IS) = 100 (new) agorot. Currently, 1 New (Israeli) sheqel (NIS) = 100 agorot
Location:	Middle East; bordered by Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea (west); Lebanon (north); Syria and Jordan (east).
Mineral Resources:	Sulfur, copper, phosphates, potash, bromine, clay, sand, manganese. Although diamonds are not mined in Israel, the country imports rough diamonds and exports cut diamonds in large quantities.