Lebanon » Key Facts
Location
Middle East.
Area
10,452 sq km (4,036 sq miles).
Population
3,900,000 (2007).
Population Density
373.1 per sq km.
Capital
Beirut
Government
Republic.
Geography
Lebanon lies to the east of the Mediterranean, sharing borders to the north and east with the Syrian Arab Republic, and to the south with Israel/Palestinian Territory. The country possesses four distinct zones from west to east including the coastal plain, the Mount Lebanon Range, the Bekaa Valley and the Anti Lebanon range that forms its border with Syria. Lebanon is a mountainous country with approximately half of its landscape lying at an altitude of over 900m (3,000ft). For its relatively diminutive size, Lebanon offers a surprisingly diverse landscape from the fertile Bekaa Valley to the snow capped peaks of the Anti Lebanon and cedar forests of Mount Lebanon. The famous cedar trees grow high in the mountains, while the lower slopes are cultivated with grapes, apricots, plums, peaches, figs, olives and barley, often on terraces painstakingly cut out from the mountainsides. On the coastal plain, citrus fruit, bananas and vegetables are also grown.
Language
The official language is Arabic, followed by French as the second language. English is widely spoken. Armenian is spoken by a small percentage of the population.
Religion
There are 18 registered sects in Lebanon with Islam and Christianity the main religions. Islam (predominantly Shi'ite) accounts for approximately 59.7% of the population's beliefs, while Christian denominations, mainly Greek Orthodox, Maronite, Armenian and Protestant, account for a further 39%.
Time
GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Social Conventions
Lebanese people are known for their hospitality. A handshake is the normal form of greeting. It is acceptable to give a small gift, particularly if invited home for a meal. As far as dress is concerned, casual dress is suitable for daytime wear, except in main towns where dress tends to be rather formal. Smarter hotels and restaurants often require guests to dress for dinner. Since Lebanon is almost evenly divided between those adhering to the Muslim faith, and those adhering to the Christian faith, visitors should dress according to the custom of the majority in the individual places being visited. Smoking is common and acceptable unless specified otherwise.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Designate Najib Mikati (since January 2011).
Head of State
President Michel Sleiman
Recent History
An anti-Syrian alliance, led by Saad al-Hariri, son of the assassinated former prime minister Rafik Hariri, won control of Lebanon's parliament following elections in May and June 2005. Fouad Siniora was nominated as prime minister by all but two members of the new parliament. His cabinet was composed of mainly anti-Syrian ministers, as well as a minister from Hezbollah. Lebanon's fragile peace was shattered in July 2006, when Israeli forces attacked Lebanon following the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah. Around 1,000 Lebanese were killed and much of the infrastructure destroyed.
Former president, Emile Lahoud, stepped down in November 2007 but parliament failed to agree on a successor.
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Information in this section was last updated: Wed May 23 2012
