Lebanon

Overview

Lebanon is a small country on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south. Despite its modest size of around 10,452 square kilometres, it has long held an outsized influence in the Arab world through its commerce, culture, and history. Researchers, travelers, and expats consult this page for a concise profile of one of the Middle East's most complex and historically layered nations.

Geography

Lebanon is defined by two roughly parallel mountain ranges running north to south. The Lebanon Mountains, which include Qurnat as Sawda at around 3,088 metres, form the spine of the country. To the east, the Anti-Lebanon range marks the border with Syria. Between them lies the fertile Bekaa Valley, one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the Levant. A narrow coastal plain runs along the Mediterranean shoreline, where most of the population lives. The Litani River is the country's most significant river, flowing westward before emptying into the Mediterranean south of Tyre. Climates range from humid Mediterranean conditions on the coast to alpine cold in the mountains, where snowfall can persist into summer.

Demographics

Lebanon's population is approximately 6.8 million people, though this figure includes a substantial number of refugees, primarily from Syria and Palestine, making it one of the highest per-capita refugee-hosting countries in the world. The country is highly urbanized, with the greater Beirut metropolitan area accounting for a large share of the total population. Lebanon's confessional system formally recognizes eighteen religious communities, including Maronite Christians, Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims, Greek Orthodox, and Druze, among others. This religious diversity has shaped political life, social customs, and cultural identity in fundamental ways. Arabic is the official language, spoken across all communities.

Culture & Language

Arabic is the primary language of daily life and administration, though French and English are widely used in business, education, and media, reflecting the country's Ottoman and French Mandate heritage. Lebanese cuisine is celebrated throughout the Arab world and internationally, featuring dishes such as tabbouleh, kibbeh, hummus, and mezze spreads. Music ranges from traditional dabke folk dance to contemporary pop, with Beirut historically serving as a regional music and arts capital. Football and basketball are popular sports. Lebanese culture places a high value on hospitality, family ties, and entrepreneurship, and the Lebanese diaspora maintains strong cultural links with communities across the Americas, West Africa, and Australia.

Government & Politics

Lebanon is a parliamentary republic with a confessional power-sharing system established under the 1943 National Pact and later adjusted by the 1989 Taif Agreement. Under this arrangement, the President of the Republic is traditionally a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister is a Sunni Muslim, and the Speaker of Parliament is a Shia Muslim. The unicameral National Assembly has 128 seats divided equally between Christians and Muslims. The system has historically contributed to political deadlock and has been under severe strain since the economic crisis beginning in 2019. Lebanon gained independence from France on 22 November 1943, a date commemorated as Independence Day. Beirut serves as both the capital and seat of government.

Economy

Lebanon's economy has suffered one of the most severe financial collapses in modern history, beginning around 2019. Before the crisis, the country relied heavily on banking and financial services, tourism, real estate, and remittances from a large overseas diaspora. The Lebanese pound (LBP) has lost the vast majority of its value since the crisis began, and the country has experienced severe shortages of fuel, medicine, and electricity. GDP and per-capita income figures fluctuate sharply and are difficult to pin down with precision due to the ongoing crisis, but the economy has contracted dramatically. Agriculture in the Bekaa Valley, light manufacturing, and small-scale trade continue to function. Major imports have historically included petroleum products, vehicles, machinery, and foodstuffs, while exports include jewelry, base metals, and chemical products.

Quick Facts

• Capital: Beirut
• Currency: Lebanese pound (LBP) ل.ل
• Time zone: UTC+02:00 (Asia/Beirut)
• Calling code: +961
• Internet TLD: .lb

Infrastructure & Development

Internet penetration in Lebanon is relatively high by regional standards, though persistent electricity shortages mean many households and businesses rely on private generators or battery systems to maintain connectivity. The road network is the primary mode of land transport, as Lebanon has no functioning passenger rail service. Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport is the country's sole commercial airport and a regional hub. The public healthcare system has been severely weakened by the economic crisis, with hospitals facing shortages of medicine and equipment; much of the population depends on a mix of private and NGO-supported care. The American University of Beirut and the Lebanese American University are among the region's most established higher education institutions.

Tourism & Highlights

Before the political and economic crises deepened, Lebanon attracted visitors for its combination of Mediterranean beaches, mountain skiing, ancient ruins, and Beirut's cosmopolitan nightlife. The Roman ruins at Baalbek, including the Temple of Jupiter, are among the largest and best-preserved in the world and hold UNESCO World Heritage status. The old city of Byblos, considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth, is also a UNESCO site. Tyre contains significant Phoenician and Roman archaeological remains and is likewise UNESCO-listed. The Qadisha Valley and the Forest of the Cedars of God, sacred since antiquity, form a fourth UNESCO World Heritage site. The Cedars of Lebanon, an ancient grove of Cedrus libani, remain a national symbol.

History

The territory of modern Lebanon was home to the Phoenicians, a seafaring civilization that established trading posts across the Mediterranean and developed one of the earliest alphabets. It subsequently fell under Assyrian, Persian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine rule before the Arab conquest of the seventh century. The Crusaders established a presence along the coast, followed by Mamluk and then Ottoman rule from the sixteenth century until World War One. After the Ottoman defeat, France received a League of Nations mandate over the region and drew the borders of modern Lebanon in 1920. Independence was declared in 1943. A devastating civil war ran from 1975 to 1990, reshaping the country's political landscape. The 1989 Taif Agreement formally ended the conflict. Subsequent decades saw further instability, including Israeli military operations, the 2005 assassination of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and the subsequent Cedar Revolution, the 2006 war with Israel, and the catastrophic Beirut port explosion of August 2020, which killed over two hundred people and devastated large parts of the capital.

Practical Information

Visa requirements for Lebanon vary by nationality; many travelers can obtain a visa on arrival at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, but entry rules change frequently and you should verify current requirements with the nearest Lebanese embassy before travel. Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. The emergency telephone number for police is 112 or 999, for fire services 175, and for the Red Cross ambulance service 140. The local currency is the Lebanese pound (LBP), though US dollars circulate widely given the ongoing currency crisis; carrying small-denomination US bills is practical. Summers on the coast are hot and dry, with temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C; winters are mild at sea level but cold and snowy in the mountains. Travel advisories from multiple governments currently recommend heightened caution or restricted travel to parts of Lebanon due to ongoing security concerns, and you should consult your government's latest guidance before planning a visit.