Navigation system and method

A database for providing an optimal route may be provided. First and second levels of a navigation database may be defined. The first level is divided into a plurality of first tiles. The second level is divided into a plurality of second tiles that are larger than the first tiles. A plurality of link data records may be stored in the first level. The plurality of link data records are representative of a plurality of road segments in a geographic region. One or more link data records of the plurality of link data records to be stored in the second level may be determined. The determining is based on a position of the plurality of link data records relative to the plurality of second tiles. The determined one or more link data records may be stored in the second level.