Lebanon – country information

Country name	Lebanon
Official name	Republic of Lebanon
Capital	Beirut
Continent	Asia
Area	10,400 km2
Population	4,822,000 (2013)
Foundation of a state	22/11/1943
The highest mountains	Karnat as-Saudá 3087 m
Longest rivers	Flying 145 km
State system	a pluralist republic with a unicameral parliament
The biggest cities	Beirut (capital) 1,175,000, Tarabulus 250,000
Official language	Arabic
Ethnicity/National Composition	Lebanese 80%, Palestinians 12%, Armenians 5%, others 3%
Religious affiliation	Shia Muslim 32%, Maronite Christian 24.5%, Sunni Muslim 21%, Druze 7%, Greek Orthodox 6.5%, Greek Catholic 4%, Armenian Christian 4%, other 1%
Currency	1 Lebanese pound (LBP) = 100 piastres
gross domestic product (GDP)	US$15,587 (2012)
Average life expectancy of the population	72.88 years (2006)
Structure of GDP	agriculture and fishing 9.5%, mining and industry 20%, construction 4%, services 66.5%

Lebanon – Neighboring States

State	Capital	Area	Population
Israel	Jerusalem	22,145 km2	8,146,300
Syria	Damascus	185,180 km2	21,898,000

Country overview

According to Abbreviationfinder, Lebanon, a small mountainous country, lies in the eastern Mediterranean. It borders Syria to the north and east, and Israel to the south – the two biggest adversaries in the Middle East. The deeply divided Lebanese nation is struggling to rebuild a shattered economy and preserve the fragile stability that was established in 1992 after a long and devastating civil war ravaged the capital, Beirut.

Country data

Location: Middle East

Time zone: CET + 1

Total area: 10,400 km²

Land area: 10,230 km²

Water area: 170 km²

Length of the state border: 454 km

Bordering countries:
Israel: 79 km
Syria: 375 km

Coastline: 225 km

Capital: Beirut

Governorates: 6
Beqaa, Beyrouth (Beirut), Liban-Nord, Liban-Sud, Mont-Liban, Nabatiye

Electric current: 220 V / 50 Hz

Telephone code: 00 961 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Qurnat as Sawda 3,088 m

Population

Population: approx. 5.9 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 9.4% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 567

Life expectancy: 76 (male), 78 (female)

Official language: Arabic

Religions:

• 54% Muslim
• 40% Christian
• 6% other

Climate

Coastal area:
During the summer months, which are very hot with temperatures above 30 ° C, it only rains very rarely. However, the humidity is very high. In winter it is quite cool (around 10 ° C) and rain often falls.

Mountain region:
In summer it is pleasantly cool and dry here during the day. However, at night temperatures can drop sharply. Occasionally snow also falls during the winter.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Lebanese pound (LBP)

Division: 1 pound = 100 piastres

ATMs: Available in the major cities.

International credit cards: These are accepted in larger hotels and shops.

Regulations: Foreign and national currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

• 200 cigarettes or 200 g tobacco
• 1 liter of alcoholic beverages

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

Travel advice

We warn against traveling to the following regions:

• City and County of Tripoli
• Akkar district
• North Liban / Ech-Chimal district.
• Bekaa plain north of Baalbek

We strongly advise against traveling to the following regions:

• remaining Bekaa plain (including tourist sites of Baalbek)
• Areas south of the Litani
• all the southern suburbs of Beirut
• Border area with Israel

In the south of the country, near the Syrian border, there is increased military activity. Foreigners cannot enter these regions without a special permit.

Throughout the country there are always road checks carried out by the Lebanese and Syrian military. Original identification documents must be carried with you.

You should stay away from large gatherings of people and demonstrations.

Behavioral advice

Since Islamic extremists repeatedly threaten to attack various institutions, you should avoid large crowds.

You should only undertake trips with a local guide.

Economy

The economy was badly damaged by the outbreak of war (1970s).

With foreign aid, however, a functioning industry was able to be rebuilt in the last few decades.

Industries: chemistry, ore processing, finance, wood processing, agriculture, food production, oil production, jewelry processing, textiles

Natural resources: iron ore, limestone, agricultural land, salt

Land use:

• Usable land: 21%
• Grain cultivation: 9%
• Pasture area: 1%
• Forests: 8%
• other: 61%

Plants

A large number of plant and tree species are native to Lebanon.

In addition to the wine-growing areas, there are also large areas in which bananas, figs, melons and many other fruits are grown.

The most famous tree species in Lebanon is the cedar.

Animals

Due to the many hunts that have taken place for a long time, most of the wild animals have been wiped out.

Now there are almost only pets to be seen. The most common are buffalo, dromedaries and horses.