Portal:Lebanon

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Lebanon (/ˈlɛbənɒn, -nən/ (listen)), officially known as the Lebanese Republic, is a country in the Levant region of Western Asia, and the transcontinental region of the Middle East. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon's location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian hinterland has contributed to its rich history and shaped a cultural identity of religious and ethnic diversity. At just 10,452 km² (4,036 mi²), it is the smallest recognized sovereign state on the mainland Asian continent. The official language, Arabic, is the most common language spoken by the citizens of Lebanon.

The earliest evidence of civilization in Lebanon dates back more than seven thousand years, predating recorded history. Lebanon was home to the Phoenicians, a maritime culture that flourished for almost three thousand years (c. 3200–539 BC). In 64 BC, the Roman Empire conquered the region, and eventually became one of its leading centers of Christianity. The Mount Lebanon range saw the emergence of a monastic tradition known as the Maronite Church. As the Arab Muslims conquered the region, the Maronites held onto their religion and identity. However, a new religious group, the Druze, established themselves in Mount Lebanon as well, generating a religious divide that has lasted for centuries. During the Crusades, the Maronites re-established contact with the Roman Catholic Church and asserted their communion with Rome. These ties have influenced the region into the modern era.

Despite Lebanon's small size, Lebanese culture is renowned both in the Arab world and globally, powered by its large and influential diaspora. Prior to the civil war, the country enjoyed a diversified economy that included tourism, agriculture, commerce, and banking. Its financial power and stability through the 1950s and 1960s earned Lebanon the name of "Switzerland of the East", while its capital, Beirut, attracted so many tourists that it was known as "the Paris of the Middle East". Since the end of the war, there have been extensive efforts to revive the economy and rebuild national infrastructure. While still recovering from the political and economic effects of the conflict, Lebanon remains a cosmopolitan and developing country, with the highest Human Development Index and GDP per capita in the Arab world outside of the oil-rich economies of the Persian Gulf. (Full article...)

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The American University of Beirut (AUB) (Arabic: الجامعة الأميركية في بيروت‎) is a private, non-sectarian, and independent university chartered in New York with its campus in Beirut, Lebanon. AUB is governed by a private, autonomous board of trustees and offers programs leading to bachelor's, master's, MD, and PhD degrees.

AUB has an operating budget of $423 million with an endowment of approximately $768 million. The campus is composed of 64 buildings, including the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC, formerly known as AUH – American University Hospital) (420 beds), four libraries, three museums and seven dormitories. Almost one-fifth of AUB's students attended secondary school or university outside Lebanon before coming to AUB. AUB graduates reside in more than 120 countries worldwide. The language of instruction is English. Degrees awarded at the university are officially registered with the New York Board of Regents. (Full article...)

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Did you know...

that Lebanon is considered the banking capital of the Arab world and is widely known as the "Switzerland of the Middle East"

that according to Greek mythology, Adonis was slain by a boar at the foot of the waterfall in Apheca in modern-day Lebanon?

Lebanon is suited for agricultural activities in terms of water availability and soil fertility, as it possesses the highest proportion of cultivable land in the Arab world.

Several international festivals are held in Lebanon, featuring world-renowned artists and drawing crowds from Lebanon and abroad. Among the most famous are the summer festivals at Baalbek, Beiteddine, and Byblos. Beirut in particular has a very vibrant arts scene, with numerous performances, exhibits, fashion shows, and concerts held throughout the year in its galleries, museums, theatres, and public spaces, not to mention the vivacious and unique Beirut night scene that has an unmatched occidental twist to its rich oriental flavor cultivated by its savvy clubbers and pub-goers.^[1]^[2]^[3]
Beirut, Lebanon's capital, is known as "The Paris of the Middle East"
During spring time, you can enjoy the slopes of Mount Lebanon in the morning, and swim in the Mediterranean sea in the afternoon.
Lebanon is easily the party capital of the middle east.

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The athletes entering the stadium during the opening ceremonies.

Lebanon sent a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from 12–28 February 2010. This was Lebanon's 15th appearance at a Winter Olympic Games. The Lebanese team consisted of three alpine skiers. Lebanon has never won a medal at a Winter Olympics, and their best performance in Vancouver was 37th in the women's super-G by Chirine Njeim; Ghassan Achi failed to post a result in either of his races, and Jacky Chamoun finished 54th in her only race. (Full article...)

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General images

The following are images from various Lebanon-related articles on Wikipedia.

Fairuz playing guitar
A selection of Lebanese dishes from Cafe Nouf Restaurant in London
Lebanese Coat of Arms
Portrait of Fakhreddine while he was in Tuscany, stating "Faccardino grand emir dei Drusi" translated as "Fakhreddine: great emir of the Druze"
Beiteddine Palace, venue of the Beiteddine Festival
Gibran Khalil Gibran Garden and surroundings in Centre Ville, Majidiye, Beirut
Map showing power balance in Lebanon, 1976:

Dark Green – controlled by Syria;

Purple – controlled by Maronite groups;

Light Green – controlled by Palestinian militias
Fakhreddine II
Sidewalk Cafes are a trademark of the BCD
Beirut in 1950
City of Zahlé at the eastern edge of the Mount Lebanon Range in eastern Lebanon
Rue Maarad is a main street in the central district
An array of Lebanese cuisine.
Khalil Gibran (April 1913)
Map showing power balance in Lebanon, 1983: Green – controlled by Syria, purple – controlled by Christian groups, yellow – controlled by Israel, blue – controlled by the United Nations
The Grand Serail also known as the Government Palace is the headquarters of the Prime Minister of Lebanon
Palm trees at the seafront in Corniche Beirut
Lebanon Parliament 2018
Flag as drawn and approved by the members of the Lebanese parliament during the declaration of independence in 1943
Aerial photo of Beirut, Lebanon's capital