Ceaseless energy, lively avenues and squares, great shopping, cafe culture and buzzing nightlife make this vivacious, sophisticated Mediterranean city one of the most exciting in the world. Incredibly, it's only 100 years old and celebrated its centenary in 2009.

The sheer dynamism and determination of the place makes Tel Aviv seem vastly bigger than it really is. In fact, the city is smaller in area than Haifa or Jerusalem, but almost one-half of Israel's population live in the Greater Tel Aviv metropolitan area. For round-the-clock entertainment and sheer vigour, there are few cities to match it - Tel Aviv offers an abundance of bars, restaurants and entertainment within walking distance from one another.

Above all, Tel Aviv is a beach city. A broad expanse of fine sand extends more than 10km (6 miles) along the seashore. City residents pour onto the beach for air, space and relaxation every weekend and at any opportunity during the day.

Its wide promenade is a magnificent sight and runs all the way from the port leisure area in north Tel Aviv to the old quarter of Jaffa - a historic port-town in its own right, now a popular dining and leisure district of Tel Aviv.

At first glance, Tel Aviv may seem brash, but explore the city centre to discover elegantly restored pre-War Bauhaus architecture and world-class concert halls, theatre and museums. Those willing to look under the surface cannot fail to be moved by the idealism that has created the largest Jewish city ever to exist. In a short time, Tel Aviv absorbed tens of thousands of refugees from Europe, Asia, Africa and South America and turned them into free citizens in their own homeland - thousands more new immigrants settle here every year. Many bring exceptional talents and skills.

Tel Aviv was founded in 1909, when a small group of Jewish families moved from the overcrowded, insanitary and hostile Arab town of Jaffa to a selected desert spot where the construction of Tel Aviv began. The city took its name from the Hebrew title of Theodor Herzl's inspirational Zionist novel Altneuland (Old New Land). The Hebrew title Tel Aviv combined the ideas of antiquity (tel, an ancient site) and radiant newness (aviv, springtime).