Profile
Background and figures as recorded in the CIA World Factbook.
As a result of its location at the crossroads of three continents, the area that is modern-day Lebanon is rich in cultural and religious diversity. This region was subject to various foreign conquerors for much of its history, including the Romans, Arabs, and Ottomans. Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. From it the French demarcated the region of Lebanon in 1920, and it gained independence in 1943.
- Capital
- Beirut
- Government
- parliamentary democratic republic
- Population
- 5,364,482
- Area
- 10,400 sq km
- Location
- Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria
- Climate
- Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; the Lebanon Mountains experience heavy winter snows
- Natural resources
- limestone; iron ore; salt; water-surplus state in a water-deficit region; arable land
- Languages
- Arabic (official); French; English; Armenian
- Religions
- Muslim 67.8% (31.9% Sunni; 31.2% Shia; smaller percentages of Alawites and Ismailis); Christian 32.4% (Maronite Catholics are the largest Christian group)…
- Independence
- 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)
- Administrative divisions
- 8 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Aakkar, Baalbek-Hermel, Beqaa (Bekaa), Beyrouth (Beirut), Liban-Nord (…
- Currency
- Lebanese pounds (LBP)
- Export partners
- UAE 26%; Egypt 7%; Turkey 5%; Iraq 5%…
- Import partners
- Switzerland 12%; China 11%; Greece 9%; Turkey 8%…
Source: CIA World Factbook — a work of the US government, in the public domain