Jerusalem is an ancient city located in West Asia, on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of the oldest cities in the world and is considered holy to the three major Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Jerusalem is the religious and historical epicenter of the world, and both Israelis and Palestinians claim it as their capital. The city has been governed by an extended series of dynasties and states, and it has been the focus of competing national aspirations of Zionists and Palestinian Arabs. The Old City of Jerusalem is full of historic and religious elements that make this city so special, and it is central to Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. The Western Wall in the Jewish Quarter is the last remaining wall of the Jewish Temple compound and is the holiest site in Judaism, while the Dome of the Rock is one of Islams most sacred shrines. Despite a rapidly changing demography, Jerusalem has retained a diverse and cosmopolitan character, particularly in the walled Old City.