Christianity is the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Most Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he is both fully human and fully divine. They believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, and that his death made it possible for ordinary people to overcome sin and death and spend eternity with God in heaven. All Christians agree that Jesus was unique among human beings.

Jesus lived in Judea (later called Palestine), in what is now northern Israel. The Romans, who governed Judea, crucified Jesus about A.D. 30. Jesus s followers believed that he rose from the dead, and they soon spread his teachings throughout the Roman Empire.

Historically, Christianity has been strongest in Europe and in areas settled by Europeans, such as the Americas and Australia. However, Christians live in most parts of the world. Since the mid-1900 s, Christianity has flourished in Africa and Asia. Today, Christianity is the largest religion in the world. About 2 billion people, or one-third of the world's population, are Christians. Christianity has had a great impact on the culture and history of areas with large Christian populations. It has inspired art, literature, philosophy, wars, and the creation of empires.