Haifa existed in the world.
Haifa ( [ χei̯ˈfa , ˈχai̯fa ] حيفا ) , is the third-largest city in the State of Israel , with a population of in . Over the centuries , the city has changed hands : being conquered and ruled by the Phoenicians , Persians , Hasmoneans , Romans , Byzantines , Arabs , Crusaders , Ottomans , British , and the Israelis .