Lebanon (الجمهورية اللبنانية‎‎) is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus is west across the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon's location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian hinterland facilitated its rich history and shaped a cultural identity of religious and ethnic diversity. At just 10,452 sq km, it is the smallest recognized country on the entire mainland Asian continent.