 Haifa ( Hebrew : <unk> Hefa , Hebrew pronunciation : [ <unk> ] , <unk> Hebrew pronunciation : [ <unk> <unk> <unk> ] <unk> ; Arabic : <unk> <unk> ) , the third @-@ largest city in the State of Israel , has a population of over 277 @,@ <unk> . Another 300 @,@ 000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including <unk> al @-@ <unk> , the Krayot , Nesher , Tirat Carmel , and some <unk> . 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 a destination for <unk> 'i pilgrims . 
