Haifa is a major port city on Israel's Mediterranean coast, known for its diverse population, including Jewish, Arab, and Druze communities, and its rich history dating back to Phoenician times. The city is home to the Baha'i Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, a leading science and engineering university. Haifa also serves as a hub for high-tech industries and innovation, and features the Carmelit, Israel's only underground funicular railway.