Lebanon, officially the
Republic of Lebanon, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east, by Israel to the south, and by the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Cyprus lies a short distance away from the country's Mediterranean coastline. Lebanon's location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin, between Europe and the Middle East, has contributed to the country's rich history and shaped a unique cultural identity denoted by religious diversity. Located in the Levant, the country has a population of more than five million people and covers an area of 10,452 square kilometres (4,036 sq mi), making it the second-smallest Asian country. The capital and largest city is Beirut, followed by Tripoli and Jounieh. While Arabic is the official language, French is also recognized in a formal capacity; Lebanese Arabic is the country's vernacular, though French and English play a relatively significant role in everyday life, with Modern Standard Arabic being limited to news and government matters.