Palestine 🇵🇸

Palestine sits in Western Asia, part of Asia. It is a UN permanent observer state, recognised by most of the world's countries but not a full UN member. In formal use it is State of Palestine. The capital is Ramallah.

Its territory runs to 6,220 km², which ranks it 174th of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind the French Southern and Antarctic Lands and just ahead of Brunei. That makes it about two thirds the size of Cyprus.

Some 5.3 million people call it home, placing it 123rd of 250 by population — between the Central African Republic above it and New Zealand below. Within Western Asia alone it is the 16th largest of 17 and the 11th most populous.

Where Palestine is and what surrounds it

Its reference point sits at 31.9° north and 35.2° east, which puts it in the northern hemisphere, roughly 3,551 km from the equator, in what geographers would call subtropical latitudes.

Countries on the same parallel, far away in longitude, include Morocco and Bermuda.

Its land neighbours number 3: Israel, Egypt and Jordan. The largest of them by area is Egypt, which is also the most populous. Together those neighbours hold about 138.1 million people.

With both a coast and land borders, it has the trade options a landlocked country does not.

Population, density and language

Population divided by land area gives roughly 850 people per square kilometre, which makes it densely populated. The median across all 250 entries here is about 90 per square kilometre.

Someone from Palestine is a Palestinian.

Officially it is monolingual: Arabic. Arabic is one of the widely shared official languages here, listed by 24 other entries including Algeria, Bahrain, Chad and the Comoros.

Inside Asia it places 38th of 50 by population, and it accounts for 1.7% of everyone living in Western Asia.

Currency, domain and dialling code

More than one currency circulates: Egyptian pound (EGP), Israeli new shekel (ILS) and Jordanian dinar (JOD). It shares that currency with Egypt.

Its internet country code is .ps. Calls from overseas start with +970. Standard country codes: ps and PSE.

Ramallah is the seat of government and the answer most quizzes are looking for.

Palestine does not hold a seat at the United Nations, but it is not a dependency of another state either: it is a UN permanent observer state, recognised by most of the world's countries but not a full UN member. That is why it appears among the 250 entries on this site while the familiar count of UN member states stops at 193. Where a figure depends on that distinction, this site says which rule it used rather than quietly picking one.

Neighbouring countries

Palestine shares borders with 3 countries:

• 🇮🇱 Israel
• 🇪🇬 Egypt
• 🇯🇴 Jordan

Fun facts about Palestine

• Websites based there use the .ps domain.
• In land area it is about two thirds the size of Cyprus.
• Its full official name is State of Palestine.
• Population density works out at roughly 850 people per square kilometre.
• Morocco and Bermuda sit at almost the same latitude, on the far side of the globe.
• Arabic is official here and in 24 other entries worldwide.
• People from Palestine are known as Palestinians.
• Within Western Asia it is the 16th largest of 17.

Palestine — frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Palestine?

The capital of Palestine is Ramallah.

Which countries border Palestine?

Palestine borders 3 countries: Israel, Egypt and Jordan. Egypt is the largest of them by area.

How big is Palestine?

Palestine covers 6,220 km², ranking 174th of 250 by land area. That makes it about two thirds the size of Cyprus.

Where is Palestine located?

Palestine is in Western Asia, part of Asia. Its reference coordinates are 31.9° north and 35.2° east, roughly 3,551 km from the equator in subtropical latitudes.

What currency does Palestine use?

Palestine uses the Egyptian pound, written E£ (currency code EGP). It is shared with 1 other entry: Egypt.

Is Palestine a country?

It depends on the rule you use, which is why the answer is worth spelling out. Palestine is a UN permanent observer state, recognised by most of the world's countries but not a full UN member. It is not a dependency of another state, so lists of dependent territories leave it out, and it is not a UN member, so the familiar count of 193 leaves it out too. It appears here with its own flag, capital and statistics like every other entry.

What language is spoken in Palestine?

The official language of Palestine is Arabic. It is also official in 24 other entries on this list.

What is the population of Palestine?

Palestine has a population of about 5.3 million, which makes it the 123rd most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. The Central African Republic sits just above it and New Zealand just below.