Lebanon Facts


Country Name: Lebanon
Geographical Area: 10,452 sq km
Population: 4.4 million (based on World Bank data, 2002)
Capital City: Beirut
People: Arabs, Kurds and Armenians
Language : The official language is Arabic, however French and English are widely spoken
Religion: Islam and Christianity are the main religions
Government Type: Republic
Independence: 22 November 1943
National Holiday: Independence Day, 22 November (1943)
Visas: All nationalities need a valid visa upon entering Lebanon
Currency: Lebanese Pound (L£)
Geography and Climate
Lebanon is a small country of only 10,452 sq Km. From north to south, it extends 217 km and from east to west, it spans 80 km at its widest point. The country is bounded by Syria on both the north and east (over 375 Km) and by Israel on the south (over 79 Km).

The country can be divided in four different regions.

(1) The coastline: This small piece of land between the Mediterranean and the mountains is where most of the population is living. Major cities and towns like Beirut, Tripoli, Byblos, Saida, Tyre are situated along the coast. The density of the population is very high from Beirut to the town of Byblos. The climate is sub-tropical, there is no frost. Winters are humid and mild; summers are dry and very hot. Agriculture in this area consists mainly banana plantation especially in the south and Olive groves in the north.

(2) The mountains: Next to the narrow coast line a chain of mountains call Mont-Lebanon crosses the country. The highest point is 3090 meters above the sea. Plantation and climate depend of the ground elevation. You find olive, orange and citrus groves; apple and pear trees. During the summer, many Lebanese spend the weekend in the mountains to avoid summer heat. During winter, the mountains are a paradise for all winter-sports.

(3) The Bekaa Valley: this fertile area is a farming region. Mediterranean climate with cold winters and hot dry summers permits tomato, potato, bean, and grapefruit plantations. Rain fall is limited throughout the year.

(4) L'anti-Lebanon: This arid chain of mountains is the natural frontier with Syria. The climate varies from a Mediterranean-type subtropical climate along the coast and in the Bekaa Valley to a generally cool one in the upper mountains. Summers are hot and dry; winters are mild and humid. Frost is rare at lower elevations. The mean temperature in the lowlands is 26.7° C (80° F) in summer and 10° C (50° F) in winter. The mountainous region is somewhat cooler. Annual precipitation, occurring mainly in winter, is 889 mm (35 in) along the coast, 635 mm (25 in) or less in the Bekaa Valley, and more than 1270 mm (more than 50 in) in the mountains. In some spring months, one can ski in the mountains and swim on the coast, both in the same day.
Culture and Religion
Lebanon's rich history has been shaped by many cultural traditions, including Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Islamic, Crusader, Ottoman Turkish, French, and recently American. The resulting culture is distinctively Lebanese, a combination of East and West, past and present. Folk music and dancing have a long tradition and are very popular. Influential Lebanese writers emerged in the early 20th century and greatly influenced the Arabic language. Painters, sculptors, and performers and producers in theatre, film, and television have recently distinguished themselves.

The government policy of confessionalism, or the grouping of people by religion, plays a critical role in Lebanon's political and social life and has given rise to Lebanon's most persistent and bitter conflicts.

At the time of Lebanon's independence in the 1940s, there were more Christians than Muslims. In the following years, many Muslims immigrated to Lebanon and had a higher birthrate than the Christians; as a result, Muslims became the majority group in Lebanon.

Today, based on the CIA World Factbook of 2003, an estimated 70 percent of Lebanese are Muslim, while most of the remaining 30 percent are Christian. Every person's religion is encoded on a required, government-issued identification card. The government recognises 17 distinct religious sects: 5 Muslim (Shiite, Sunnite, Druze, Ismailite, and Alawite), 11 Christian (4 Orthodox, 6 Catholic, and 1 Protestant), and Judaism.
Night Life
Night life in Lebanon has always attracted visitors all over the world. The good old days are back again with more excitement and varieties.

Lebanese night life is comparable to any cosmopolitan city in the world. The ambiance and the service are all of the highest international standards. The night life is continuously evolving with new places opening and others closing like many the biggest cities of the world. New restaurants of all kinds, pubs, night clubs, piano bars and other casual diversifications are opening everyday, especially in Beirut...

Whatever your fancy is, oriental or western, traditional or eccentric, you can experience it all after dark. The night life starts late along the coasted suburbs of Beirut, Kaslik, Maameltein and Jounieh, in addition to Verdun and Broumana area. Restaurants do not fill up before 9 PM while the night clubs' dancing program begins after midnight.