Lebanon

Lebanon has always been a special country. Despite the recent years of war, Lebanon's long history, natural beauty and the spirit of its people give it a place in the hearts of all who have been there - whether in the halcyon years, or during periods of crisis.

An independent republic since 1943, it is a compact country of 10,452 square kilometers with a population approaching 4 million. Located at the meeting point of three continents, over the centuries Lebanon has been the crossroads of many civilizations whose traces may still be seen today.

Its countryside is a place of rocks, cedar trees and magnificent ruins that look down from the mountains to the sea. "Lubnan" its Arabic Name, means "white", the color of the mountains. In winter the high peaks are covered with snow and in summer their limestone slopes glimmer white in the distance. Two rocky ranges traverse Lebanon parallel to the sea coast, separated by the high plateau of the Beqaa valley.

Today the most venerable representatives of the Cedars of Lebanon, which once covered the entire country, are in the Besharre region of North Lebanon. Some 400 trees, many between 1,200 and 2,000 years old stand on slopes 2,000 meters high in the shadow of the 3,100 - meter peak of Qornet Es-Sawda. From Lebanon's cedar forests Solomon got the wood for his temple and palace and from its wood the pharaohs carved their sarcopaghi and their "sun ships.".

Lebanon is a democratic republic with a parliamentary system of government. Its constitution is based on the separation of powers with a president elected for a single six-year term, a prime minister, 128 members of parliament elected by universal adult suffrage for a four-year term, and an independent judiciary system.

Lebanon was given freedom in 1918 by the victory of the Allies and achieved full independence in 1943. Always a nation of travelers and traders, by the early 1970's there were some 2 million Lebanese living in their homeland while an almost equal number had settled in every continent of the world.
After 1975 the war encouraged even larger numbers to emigrate to western and Arab countries where they have contributed their skills, notably in the fields of science, medicine and commerce.

At home or abroad the Lebanese are known for their kindness and hospitality. These qualities, combined with the country's relaxed and family-oriented way of life, make visitors feel both welcome and at ease.

Lebanon's mountain villages and towns are worth a visit any time of year. While some were damaged by war most are thriving towns that offer not only entertainment but a glimpse of the traditional lifestyle not often seen in larger cities.

In the Shouf mountains there is DEIR EL-QAMAR with its white houses and red tiles roofs built on steep slopes. This was the residence of the governors of Lebanon in the 16th-18th centuries. Many historic buildings here have been restored, such as the Fakhreddin Mosque and the Baz and Al-Kharge palaces. Most recently the central square of this historic town was cleaned and restored.

Between Beirut and Byblos is the town of JOUNIEH which has a lovely bay with craggy mountains rising just behind it.Jounieh has long been known for the landmark statue of the Virgin of HARISSA high above the bay, reached by road or by a spectacular, near-vertical cable car ride.

The number of great civilizations whose remains are left in Lebanon is impressive indeed. North of Beirut you can read on the stela carved on rocky cliffs of the Dog River, inscriptions of Egyptian Pharaohs, Assyrian Kings and Roman commanders. One tablet tells of the entry into Damascus of General Gouraud's troops in 1920 and the most recent celebrates the evacuation of foreign troops in 1946 in the wake of Lebanon's independence in 1943.

The Arab cultural renaissance flowered in Lebanon at the beginning of the 19th century. Professors, poets, journalists, writers and historians grouped together in Lebanese or Western cultural institutions of the capital to revive ancient Arab culture and reveal to their compatriots the value of modern culture. Their activities accelerated the liberation of the Arab world, and raised its cultural level.

In Lebanon teaching establishments multiplied, either founded by Lebanese or by foreign missions.
The St. Joseph University, founded and run by the Jesuit Fathers, has for over a century and a quarter, contributed to the Lebanese and Arab intelligentsia.
The American University of Beirut, founded in 1866,provides a liberal education that has trained many of the world's leaders, educators and scientists.
The general educational spirit of Lebanon looks outwards, both to the East and the West. Many Lebanese students pursue their higher education in European, American and Arab Universities.
Soon after independence, a Lebanese state university was founded, which comprises faculties of law, medicine, arts and sciences, and a teachers' training college.
Later the Arab University, with faculties of arts, law, commerce and engineering was opened.
The venerable Beirut University College has also been an important influence.
In recent years, numerous new universities have sprung up throughout the country, notably Kaslik University and Notre Dame University (Louwayze), both north of the Beirut and Balamand University south of Tripoli. Foreign newspapers and magazines are available and the prolific local press publishes in French and English as well as Arabic. Communication is definitely not a problem.

Lacking natural resources, Lebanon capitalizes on the initiative of its people and its geographical location. Its trading facilities, banking and financial services as well as its free economy made Lebanon the region's commercial center before the war. With peace established and reconstruction underway Lebanon is again assuming its former position as a business center. To help strengthen the economy, authorities have initiated a new low income tax schedule to provide investment incentive, increase disposable income and expand the tax base. Movement of currency into and out of the country and all exchange transactions are completely free of any kind of control. Foreign currency can be exchanged at any bank or at money exchangers found in main business areas. Banking is a major industry in Lebanon with strict banking secrecy one of its important features. Currently 81 banks operate in the country and transactions are performed efficiently and at low cost.

Beirut International Airport, which is soon to be enlarged and completely remodeled, now receives flights from more than 25 international European and Asian airlines, as well as from the national carrier, Middle East Airlines. Most travelers arrive at Beirut airport but one can also approach Lebanon by ferry from Cyprus or by road from Damascus. Once in Lebanon, a good road system allows the visitor to see for himself almost all parts of this compact yet extremely varied country.

Automobile rental companies provide self-driven cars or cars with a chauffeur.Lebanese taxis are comfortable and reasonably priced. Even cheaper is the "service-taxi" which allows one to share the cost of a trip with other passengers. Bus service is also available to certain destinations.

Lebanon enjoys an essentially Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and long warm summers. It almost never rains between June and October and visitors can count on 300 sunny days every year. In summer Lebanese like to escape the heat and humidity of the coast by going to the mountains. In winter, however, higher elevations can be cold and snowy. Average annual rainfall is 893 mm in Beirut, mostly occurring in winter.
Average temperature in Beirut (Centigrade) is: January 13.4 - February 14.0 - March 15.7- April 18.5 - May 21.8 - June 24.9 - July 27.1 - August 27.8 - September 26.4 - October 23.8 - November 19.5 - December 15.6.

There is always something entertaining to do in Lebanon. Traditional dances such as the Dabbke and sword dances are immensely popular and they perpetuate costumes of the distant past. Both in night clubs and in private parties and celebrations, oriental or "belly dancing" is always a great attraction.
Known for its night life before the war, the Lebanese capital is still the place to go for excellent night clubs, discotheques and cabarets. About 24 km north of Beirut, the Casino du Liban at Maameltein, once famous for its top international shows and luxurious gaming facilities, is reopened, and world-class shows can be expected every evening.

Few visitors to Lebanon can resist its handicrafts, either in the old style or tasteful modern adaptations of traditional designs. There is pottery fashioned in the peasant manner, glassware and cutlery. Brass and copper goods of all kinds can be found, with attractive handwork designs. Exotic caftans and abayas are always appreciated as gifts. Gold and silver prices are especially good and skillful local jewelers charge moderate prices for their work.

As for clothing, everything is available - from the top Paris designers to jeans and leisure ware. Lebanon's shopping arcades and busy main streets are crammed with shop selling every necessity and luxury, both local and imported.

In Beirut you can find excellent international cooking, but you will also be offered the delicacies of the local cuisine. The national drink is arak, an anise flavored alcohol served in small glasses and mixed with ice and water. The offer of arak is a courteous way of leading you to eat "mezzes", delectable hors-d'oeuvres of infinite variety. Homos and tabboule, both now widely enjoyed in Europe and the United States, are still at their best on Lebanese soil. For a main course you might be offered "kebbe", which is mutton carefully pounded and cooked with crushed wheat. "Chawarma" is lamb grilled on a vertical spit.
Local wines, some of which rival those from Europe, go very well with these dishes. The sea also provides ingredients for savory Lebanese recipes and fruit is abundant, not only the kinds known in the West but those which only ripen under an oriental sun.

Lebanon has a good hotel capacity, including a number of outstanding luxury establishments. In Beirut there are also many small, well-run hostelries. Several of the older large hotels have refurbished their premises and once again offer an elegant and convenient place to stay. Hotel space in the mountains is abundant, the majority in the second and third class category. Generally open in the summer season, there are clean but basic establishments perfectly adequate for short stays. There are some grand hotels in the mountains as well, open year-round. Furnished apartments, which offer self-service facilities, are found throughout Greater Beirut and in other population centers.

                                                                    

Source: Ministry of Tourism
Source of pictures: Ministry of Tourism, Farid Abou-Haider page.
Source of background music: Marwan Zakaria's Home Page (original zipped MIDI files by Farouk Srageldin at Arabic MIDI)