While conflict in that part of the world is thoroughly covered in headlines and news stories, more basic facts about Gaza receive less attention.

With this infographic, Visual Capitalist's Nick Routley fills in some of those gaps, including demographics, infrastructure, and more.

Below, we outline three key facts to know about the Gaza Strip and the people who live there:

1. Gaza is Young and Increasingly Crowded

Gaza has a high fertility rate (3.9), and as a result, nearly half of the people living there are children. Much of this rapidly growing population lives in crowded cities and camps that are some of the most densely populated areas in the world.

The majority of people in the Gaza Strip are officially considered refugees by the UN. Over many decades, refugee camps have become permanent settlements, blending with the surrounding urban areas. Upwards of 80% of the population relies on international aid for basic services and sustenance.

In terms of religion, Gaza is very uniform. 99% of the population are Sunni Muslims. This is similar to Egypt and other North African nations.

2. The Territory is Tightly Controlled

Israel has enforced a land, air, and sea blockade since 2007, when Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip and Israel's Security Cabinet labeled region a "hostile entity". The land border of Gaza Strip is heavily fortified consisting of double-wired fencing and concrete barriers. These borders follow the "Green Line", a demarcation set after the end of the Arab–Israeli War. There is also a 100-300 meter buffer zone inside the territory's border where access is restricted.