Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a highly developed nation located in the Southern Levant region of Western Asia. It is geographically situated between the Mediterranean Sea to the west, the Gaza Strip and Egypt to the southwest, the Jordan River and West Bank to the east, and bordered by Lebanon and Syria to the north. The country's geography is characterized by a diverse mix of coastal plains, arid deserts, and mountainous regions, including the Judean and Galilee mountains. The population, estimated at over 9.2 million people, is highly urbanized, with Jerusalem serving as a major religious and political center, while Tel Aviv functions as the primary economic hub. The nation has a complex history, having been a crossroads of civilizations from the ancient Phoenicians to the modern state established in the mid-20th century.