Haifa (Hebrew: חֵיפָה Hefa, Hebrew pronunciation: [ħeˈfa], colloquial Hebrew pronunciation: [ˈχai̯fa] Hayfa; Arabic:حيفا‎ Hayfa) is the third largest city in the State of Israel, with a population of over 277,082. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including Daliyat al-Karmel, the Krayot, Nesher, Tirat Carmel, and some Kibbutzim. Together these areas form a contiguous urban area home to nearly 600,000 residents which makes up the inner core of the Haifa metropolitan area, the second or third most populous metropolitan area in Israel. It is also home to the Bahá'í World Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and destination for Baha'i pilgrims.