Israel (Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל) officially the State of Israel (Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל) is a country in southwestern Asia on the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea. Israel's population is 9.8 million people, of whom 7 million are Jewish. Almost all the other citizens of Israel are Arab (1.2 million) and include Muslims, Christians, and Druze. Israel's capital and largest city is Jerusalem. However, most countries keep their embassies in Tel Aviv.