Show Menu
Learn more about Lebanon
Info about Lebanon
Following the capture of Syria from the Ottoman Empire by Anglo-French forces in 1918, France received a mandate over this territory and separated out the region of Lebanon in 1920. France granted this area independence in 1943. A lengthy civil war (1975-1990) devastated the country, but Lebanon has since made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions. Under the Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater voice in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the war, Lebanon has conducted several successful elections. Most militias have been disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have extended authority over about two-thirds of the country. Hizballah, a radical Shia organization listed by the US State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, retains its weapons. During Lebanon's civil war, the Arab League legitimized in the Ta'if Accord Syria's troop deployment, numbering about 16,000 based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000 and the passage in October 2004 of UNSCR 1559 - a resolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon and end its interference in Lebanese affairs - encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as well. The assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI and 22 others in February 2005 led to massive demonstrations in Beirut against the Syrian presence ("the Cedar Revolution"), and Syria withdrew the remainder of its military forces in April 2005. In May-June 2005, Lebanon held its first legislative elections since the end of the civil war free of foreign interference, handing a majority to the bloc led by Saad HARIRI, the slain prime minister's son. Lebanon continues to be plagued by violence - Hizballah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers in July 2006 leading to a 34-day conflict with Israel. The LAF in May-September 2007 battled Sunni extremist group Fatah al-Islam in the Nahr al-Barid Palestinian refugee camp; and the country has witnessed a string of politically motivated assassinations since the death of Rafiq HARIRI. Lebanese politicians in November 2007 were unable to agree on a successor to Emile LAHUD when he stepped down as president, creating a political vacuum until the election of Army Commander Michel SULAYMAN in May 2008 and the formation of a new unity government in July 2008.
Diseases
N/A
Languages
Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
Drug usage
cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares in 2002 despite continued significant cannabis consumption; opium poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way to European markets and for Middle Eastern consumption; money laundering of drug proceeds fuels concern that extremists are benefiting from drug trafficking
Ethnic division
Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% note: many Christian Lebanese do not identify themselves as Arab but rather as descendents of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be called Phoenicians
HIV/AIDS prevalence rate
0.1% (2001 est.)
Climate info
Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows
Natural Resources
limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land
Economic data
The 1975-90 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. In the years since, Lebanon has rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily - mostly from domestic banks. In an attempt to reduce the ballooning national debt, the Rafiq HARIRI government in the 1990s began an austerity program, reining in government expenditures, increasing revenue collection, and privatizing state enterprises, but economic and financial reform initiatives stalled and public debt continued to grow despite receipt of more than $2 billion in bilateral assistance at the 2002 Paris II Donors Conference. The Israeli-Hizballah conflict in July-August 2006 caused an estimated $3.6 billion in infrastructure damage, and prompted international donors to pledge nearly $1 billion in recovery and reconstruction assistance. Donors met again in January 2007 at the Paris III Donor Conference and pledged more than $7.5 billion to Lebanon for development projects and budget support, conditioned on progress on Beirut's fiscal reform and privatization program. An 18-month political stalemate and sporadic sectarian and political violence hampered economic activity, particularly tourism, retail sales, and investment, until the new government was formed in July 2008. Political stability since the Doha Accord of May 2008 has helped to boost investment and tourism, but economic growth is likely to slow in 2009 as a result of the global economic recession. In fall 2008 the government postponed telecommunication privatization and raised public sector wages, actions that in 2009 will widen the budget deficit and increase government debt.
Environmental issues
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills
Travel destinations in Lebanon




Airlines based in Lebanon

find your perfect holiday location

Current temperature
25 C

Similar weather

23.83 C
  Calais
25.1 C
  Mitzic
27.16 C
  Manila
23.69 C
25.83 C
  Baures
29.99 C
  Leribe
23.8 C
27.3 C
  Mafraq
24.98 C
21.69 C
  Rioja
25.28 C
27.73 C
27.87 C
  Cudal
28.07 C
20.66 C
29.94 C
29.87 C
24.97 C
22.14 C
27.38 C
25.67 C
  Ormara
23.97 C
  Moro
25.03 C
  Bannu
29.27 C
22.76 C
  Andapa
25.88 C
25.32 C
  Soyo
26.94 C
28.51 C
24.28 C
21.38 C
24.89 C
  Nadi
23.62 C
  Dadu
29.04 C
23.83 C
  Jambol
24.82 C
27.14 C
22.66 C
23.72 C
28.98 C
20.32 C
24.82 C
27.04 C
  Cobar
25.34 C
  Faya
29.17 C
22.4 C
24.67 C
25.86 C
  Toulon
20.09 C
24.46 C
29.01 C
  Boana
27.22 C
28.89 C
21.42 C
25.84 C
20.96 C
  Ijuí
20.75 C
28.76 C
27.04 C
  Sirjan
20.04 C
Flights By Weather

Most people choose a location and then start thinking about the weather over there. We like to do it differently. We choose to base our travel related decisions only based on weather. So first we search for a location with our kind of weather and then we choose between the locations that match our set weather conditions. Sounds a good idea to me.

good ideas?

Feel free to share them.

Get in touch
I have too much free space

Any ideas what we could do in here?

connect with me

Want to get in touch for one reason or another? Check the contact page or follow us in twitter or check out our Facebook page.

flights to Lebanon image