Lebanon flag
Basic facts of Lebanon
Official name: Republic of Lebanon
Capital: Beirut
Area: 10,452 sq km 4,036 sq mi
Population growth rate: 1.15 percent (2008 estimate)
Population density: 388 persons per sq km, 1,006 persons per sq mi (2008 estimate)
Urban/rural distribution:
Share urban 88 percent (2005 estimate)
Share rural 12 percent (2005 estimate)
Largest cities: Beirut, Tripoli, Sur, Sayda
Languages: Arabic (official), French, Armenian, English
Religious affiliations:
Muslim 70 percent
Christian 30 percent
Life expectancy:
Total 73.4 years (2008 estimate)
Female 76 years (2008 estimate)
Male 70.9 years (2008 estimate)
Literacy rate:
Total 88.3 percent (2005 estimate)
Female 83.4 percent (2005 estimate)
Male 93.6 percent (2005 estimate)
Form of government: Republic
Total number of military personnel: 72,100 (2004)
Introduction:
Lebanon (country), republic on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Southwest Asia. Lebanon’s coastal location, high mountain backbone, and climate have greatly influenced the country’s history, peoples, and economy. The coastal area of present-day Lebanon was settled more than 7,000 years ago and later evolved as the heart of seafaring Phoenicia. To help conduct their sea trade, the Phoenicians developed the first alphabet and colonized the western Mediterranean. In the early centuries ad, a largely Christian population and culture arose, which later blended with—though was not overwhelmed by—Islamic influences. Following centuries of Ottoman control, France ruled Lebanon under a League of Nations mandate after the Ottoman Empire was defeated in World War I (1914-1918). During World War II (1939-1945) Lebanon became an independent republic and for three decades prospered under a free-market economy. However, the country experienced increasing hostility among rival religious groups, especially between Christians and Muslims. These and other domestic tensions, intensified by foreign influences, erupted into the devastating Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990). Beirut is Lebanon’s capital, principal port, and largest city.
Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut, on the Mediterranean Sea in Lebanon, suffered in the 1970s and 1980s from civil warfare between the Christians and Muslims. Most of the city’s high-rise buildings and hotels located on the seashore were destroyed or impaired by the fighting.
Lebanon genocide
Israeli soldiers attacked Lebanon (July 12, 2006-August 14, 2006). They caused genocide in Lebanon.The conflict killed at least 1,500 people, mostly Lebanese civilians, severely damaged Lebanese civil infrastructure, and displaced approximately one million Lebanese people.
July 2006 from Kiryat shmona, Israel
A Israeli girls write messages on a shell at a heavy artillery position firing into civilians inside Lebanon.
July 2006 in South Lebanon
A Lebanese Child Receiving the message from the Israeli girls!