Lebanon: A land of milk and honey

Lebanon: A land of milk and honey...

Given its location on the Mediterranean shore, coupled with the advantages of its political,cultural and legal systems, Lebanon is ideally situated for trade. investment and tourism.

Beirut Buildings

Due also to the beneficial Mediterranean climate it enjoys, Lebanon has a very long history, as is testified by the archaeological remains of its largest cities. Beirut, Byblos, Sidon, Tyre, Baalbek, Tripoli - all are part of a common human heritage. This sense of history is emphasised by recent discoveries made by teams of international archaeologists during the current rehabilitation programme in Beirut, which suggest at least seven previous periods on the site, including a Canaanite settlement.

Beirut port

Byblos

Sidon.

Tyre.

.

Baalbeck

Tripoli

Extending over a total area of 10,452 kilometres square, with 210 kms of maritime sea front on the Mediterranean, Lebanon is divided into four distinct geographic regions:

Beirut at night...

1. The coastal plain - which is fertile, densely populated and urbanised, with many towns;

Beauty of Lebanon

2. A first chain of mountains - Mount Lebanon. Its western side on the Mediterranean is densely populated and exploited;

Mount Lebanon, pine trees and fresh air

Mount Lebanon: A global view

3. A large interior plain - the Beqaa - known in ancient times as Rome’s Granary’. Fertile, and well-irrigated by two rivers, the Litani and the Aasi, the Beqaa has many vineyards, orchards and cereal plantations;

Beqaa: View of Lebanese mountains and grape vines on a trellis

... Beautiful vineyards in the valley. Wineries abound.

... Grapes

4. A second chain of mountains - the Anti-Lebanon.
Climatic conditions are Mediterranean, with more than 300 sunny days a year. Hot in the summer but mild in the winter on the coast. Moderate in the mountains in summer, very cold in winter with an abundance of snow.

Summer melts the snow, but tourists come by thousands

Kadisha valley and winter snow

Kadisha valley during summer time

The variety of fruit bushes and trees vary according to region but olives and figs are plentiful. Among the numerous existing trees are the famed Cedars of Lebanon, thousands of years old and an excellent example of the Lebanon’s natural environment and its ability to safeguard the natural world heritage.

Lebanon has distinctive pine trees. Pine nuts are used in Lebanese cooking

Lebanese fresh fruits

A wonderful view

Lebanese trees... A piece of art

A Lebanese home surrounded by palm and pine trees

Whilst Lebanon has important precipitation, the hydrographic system is characterised by numerous currents, torrential in winter but dry in summer. Of the rivers, the two most important are the Litani, which is set for vital hydroelectric exploitation, and the Aasi, originating within Lebanon.

Qaroun lake

Jezzine waterfall

Other advantages in Lebanon worthy of note include communication facilities:Air communications - these are assured by Beirut International Airport (AIB), used by most of the major international companies.

Airport highway

Maritime communications via numerous ports - chiefly Beirut and Tripoli - play an important role in Lebanese and inter-Arab commercial relations.

View of Beirut port

Land communications are helped by a comprehensive road system which allows access to all regions and villages in the country.

New highways

With a limited public transport system, private cars are widely used. A study is currently underway on the total restructure of the railway system which will facilitate the transport of people and freight.

Achrafieh - Tabaris highway

Due as much to its ideal geographic situation affording easy access to three continents (Asia, Africa and Europe), as to its human and economic resources, Lebanon has always attracted people and investments from all quarters.
The 1975 - 1990 events are being rapidly overcome by the country’s will to rebuild and develop.

History
The association of the mountains and sea, ethnic diversities and different religious communities explain the main characteristics of Lebanon’s history; a taste for exchanges and contacts, a will to analyse and an ability to calm antagonisms and resolve conflicts in a conciliatory spirit.

Monastery in Beit Chabab, Lebanon, with pine tress in the foreground
Pine trees are the second symbol of Lebanon, after the cedar tree.
Such tress have helped give Lebanon the name "Loubnan Al-Akhdar", or "Green Lebanon".
Lebanon is not a desert

Mar Moussa monastery, Metn - Lebanon

Hardini Monastry

St. Rafka

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Achrafieh - Beirut

St. John's church, Byblos, Jbeil - Lebanon

Mar Charbel - Annaya

Beirut Martyr's Square - rebuilding

The Al-Omari mosque downtown - Beirut

Ancient mosque, Al Bireh - Lebanon

Populated since ancient times, as proven by the increasing number of archaeological discoveries, Lebanon has witnessed a long and eventful historical evolution that is still continuing.

Anjar, Lebanon - ancient ruins

Baalbeck – Temple of Bacchus and the six columns of Jupiter Temple

Baalbeck - Heliopolis Lebanon

Sidon, Lebanon - the old city

Tyre

Beiteddine

Byblos

Byblos - The Citadel

The contribution of the Phoenicians, navigators and merchants of repute, oriented to commercial expansion, which directed the country towards an exchange economy. The conquests by Alexander the Great and the Romans made Lebanon an important centre for the Hellenistic and Roman civilisations. This was epitomised in the fourth and fifth centuries AD by the establishment of the Law School of Beirut (Beryte), which made a crucial contribution to the composition of the Justinien Code.

Beirut - Roman baths uncovered during excavation

Baalbeck - Details of Bacchus Temple

Lebanese antiquity

The Arab Conquest brought its own contribution to this Mediterranean country and the Ottoman Conquest in 1516 - which lasted until the end of the First World War - contributed to the creation of Modern Lebanon. This latter stage was in turn assisted by the policy of the Emirs (princes) of the mountains and the Mutassarifyya (governorate) of Mount Lebanon, recognised by the Great Powers in 1861. These ideas served as a reference point in 1920 when modern Lebanon was created by France after the Treaty of Versailles.

UN building

Achieving full independence in 1943, and founding member of the UN. Organisation, Lebanon has always aimed at consolidation of its Arab and international friendships. The goal is towards reinforcing its cultural, socio-economic and political institutions in order to give its citizens a high standard of living and active participation in the contemporary world.

The Population
Because of its position and climate, Lebanon has been inhabited since the beginning of time. Human occupation by people by different religions and ethnic origins explain the presence of the diverse monotheist religions on the political and religious scene. The population, estimated at almost 3,500,000, is young and dynamic with a very high educational level.

Deir El Qamar

Baskinta

Douma

Village near Mrouj - Metn, Lebanon

An amazing view of a mountain village in Lebanon

An amazing view of Beiteddine

The Lebanese educational system is assured by some twenty universities and higher education establishments. These include the Lebanese University (LU); American University of Beirut (AUB), established in 1866; St Joseph University, established in 1875; Arab University; Lebanese-American University; Holy Spirit University; Notre Dame University and the Balamand University. There are also a multitude of private and public primary and secondary schools spread across the entire country.

The American University in Beirut, Lebanon

Brummana High School view overlooking the coast

The official language is Arabic, but French and English are also widely used, thus facilitating business relations and assuring a rich and diversified cultural heritage.

UNESCO Palace

So, the geographical and natural conditions of Lebanon are auspicious for business. But to these advantages the Lebanese people have added a dynamism, qualified training, and a welcoming manner that immediately invites confidence.

Lebanese Dance - Dabke

In addition, Lebanon has the advantage of a vast network of international friendships, established over the years by the economic and financial institutions of the Lebanese diaspora world-wide.

Beirut

Profiting from this climate of openness and freedom, the Lebanese are well able to follow an agreeable and equitable working style which will enable Lebanon of the 1990s to take advantage of its potential and socio-economic capacities.

Beirut Grand Serail

The re-opening of Lebanon to the world has allowed its liberal society to aim for the highest standards, which are clearly manifested in the current social and cultural plans.

Culture: Apart from the great diversity and number of universities and teaching establishments, the audio-visual media and the press also demonstrate the capability and dynamism of this nation.

Television companies have been rapidly expanding since 1990. Scores of companies are broadcasting within Lebanon. Local and international programmes (English and French) in various fields keep people informed about what is happening in the world.

The Press - securely established in Lebanon since the middle of the nineteenth century- comprises about ten daily or weekly newspapers in Arabic, French, English and Armenian, whose influence is predominant in both the Arab and the outside world. There are also about a hundred magazines published in Lebanon covering current events in various fields.

Beirut, Annahar building.

The Foreign Press - French, English and others - is widely circulated throughout Lebanon and is distributed at almost the same time as in its country of origin.

Radiodiffusion is also undergoing expansion in Lebanon, with about a hundred stations broadcasting programmes in Arabic, French, English and Armenian.
Social life in Lebanon is generally very pleasurable. Festivals, cultural events, concerts, theatres, night-life and the Lebanese cuisine (which has travelled has travelled the world) make Lebanon a most congenial place to live - and an unforgettable experience for all those who have made the journey.

Down Town - Beirut

Baking Lebanese bread
Very thin bread flattened over a pillow-like holder, then inverted over a hot dome that resembles an inverted wok.
The bread quickly browns to perfection and is peeled off.

Water pipes (Argheela)

Lebanon is a liberal country, which was founded on private initiative. The foundation of its economy has always allowed it to attract capital, companies and people of all nations and continents who find the infrastructure that enables them to work harmoniously in Lebanon and its neighbouring countries.

The Economy
Lebanon’s liberal economy, built up over centuries, is based on competition and private ownership. The private sector directs economic activity and the public sector is responsible for infrastructure and social policy.

Central Bank

Services and banking are predominant, representing 70 percent of the country’s national product. Agriculture occupies 10 percent, and the remaining 20 percent is absorbed by the industrial sector.

Bank's Street

BLOM bank

Agricultural activity is oriented towards fast moving consumer products and the agro-food industry. Despite the fact that agricultural products do not cover the country’s needs, Lebanon exports fruits and wines. In common with many modern world economies, Lebanon’s agriculture needs considerable investment in order to improve its commercial balance.

Merchant on the side of the road in Lebanon

Under Plan Horizon 2000, established by the Development & Reconstruction Council (CDR), efforts are now being channelled towards irrigation projects, systematic reforestation, enlarging of cultivated areas and promotion of pisciculture.

View from Batroun

View from Tannourine

Merdechieh, Zgharta - North of Lebanon

Barouk Cedars in the Chouf region - Lebanon

Industry has been established since the 1950’s, providing 20 percent of the national product. Lebanese industry evolved on the basis of a transformation industry responding to the needs of the Lebanese and foreign markets. The textile industry, china, leather, precious metals, food products... all attest to the vitality of the sector.
The Services Sector nevertheless remains predominant and gives full scope to the justly famed Lebanese dynamism. Lebanese and foreign banks attend promptly to requests from private individuals and companies via their correspondents established world-wide. The import, export and re-export markets are all go-ahead areas thanks to the existing communications system and the capacity of the Lebanese ports.

BANKMED

The Educational System also assists the country’s economic needs by providing qualified and competent personnel well-adapted to modern technology.

Reconstruction
Lebanon is in the throes of a complete reconstruction programme. Rebuilding the infrastructure is a challenge undertaken by the authorities, with initial efforts directed towards rebuilding its electrical energy, motorways and roads, hydraulic systems and telecommunications.

Beirut downtown. A city reborn.

New tunnel

Tripoli, Lebanon - Modern Street and Buildings

Lebanon Municipal building

Investment estimated at US$ 5 billion has been allocated to these sectors to meet future challenges facing Lebanese society over a period not exceeding five years. The installation of new electricity-producing plants, progressively rebuilding and generalising the telecommunications system, introducing cellular telephones, road and water works all attest to the growing vitality of this area.

Construction
Since 1990 the construction industry has been rapidly expanding; so much so that Lebanon now resembles an extremely active building site. The area allocated for construction grew from 6 million square metres in 1991 to more than 16 million square metres in 1994, with a corresponding increase in cement production.

Down Town Beirut

Down Town buildings

Beirut architecture detail

Hariri Mosquee

The improvement in the economic situation can be seen by:
a) The stability of the national currency value vis-a-vis the US$ and foreign currencies;
b) The fact that the balance of payments has been in excess since 1992;
c) Improved and growing banking system activity due to returning confidence.
The international community, especially the World Bank, the UNDP and other organisms within the United Nations system no longer consider Lebanon as a risk country. They therefore have no reservations in extending it loans, all the more so since Lebanon’s foreign debt is still limited to US $1.2 billion.

More buildings.

Lebanon’s present economic policy aims at approving bilateral or multilateral economic agreements in order to encourage all forms of commercial co-operation with other countries worldwide.

Tourism
In modern countries tourism is an asset, provided, you know how to profit from it. Until 1975, Lebanon was renowned as the tourist centre of the Middle East and enjoyed an unprecedented tourist boom. The events of 1975-1990 brought an abrupt end to this boom, with a calamitous effect on the people and the economy. Now, however, with returning stability, hopes are high and the tourist movement is once again oriented towards Lebanon.

Very old bridge in Lebanon

Cedars of Lebanon

This country enjoys a privileged position with its sea-front, its mountains, its archaeological sites from many civilisations, its natural sites, its winter skiing...

Jounieh bay

Heavenly beaches

Dhour El Choueir (Metn, Lebanon)

Ain Zhalta - Chouf mountains

Becharri (North of Lebanon), view of the town with the mountain behind it

Moussa Castle, Chouf - Lebanon

Beiteddine Palace in Lebanon's beautiful Chouf region

Beit-Meri Mosaic Floor

Roman ruins in Deir Kalaa in Beit-Meri (Metn, Lebanon)

Zgharta snow - Ehden

Skiing in Faraya

Hotel infrastructure is gearing up to respond to the needs of the tourist and business traveller. Development plans in this area provide for a series of rehabilitation and modernisation projects in the field of tourist activities.

Hilton Hotel

A restaurant inside a Lebanese hotel

Lebanese Mezée

Tabboulé 100% Lebanese

Lebanese food called Mezée Deluxe

Grape Leaves or "Warak Inab"

Not grilled Kebbeh "Nayyeh"

Grilled Kebbeh found in Lebanese villages

Shawarma

Grilled meat and chicken specialities

Lebanese sweets "Baklawa"

Principal Tourist & Archaeological Sites
Beirut is in the process of recovering its own privileged position between East & West. Parts of the city are currently subject to a systematic archaeological excavation programme which is bringing to light phases of its occupation since the dawn of history.

The beautiful Beirut waterfront district, reborn after the civil war

Raouché - Beirut's Pigeon Rocks, used to be called "Lover's Leap"

Beirut is set to become a city of the Eastern Mediterranean which will be impossible to bypass once its modern facilities and archaeological discoveries are integrated into the overall urban plan.

Lebanon nature: A piece of Art

Between Beirut and Tripoli in the North many sites are of interest:
Nahr El Kalb or Dog River (the Lycos of the ancients) has a series of tablets engraved in the rocks which are witness to the passage of many armies and great conquerors in history, including Ramses II and Nebuchadnezzar.
The Jeita Grotto further up, which has recently been remarkably refurbished by the Ministry of Tourism, is a fine example of the natural resources with which Lebanon is blessed. The improvements made at the site will give visitors added enjoyment in what still remains a totally natural environment.

Nahr-El-Kalb - The Roman Bridge

Jeita Grotto - The Tower of Pisa

The Faraya and Fakra Region is renowned for its winter sports and holiday atmosphere and provides a most congenial stop-over for visitors. The Fakra Temple is a fine example of the antiquities which can be seen throughout the mountain area.

Lebanon Snow Skiing in Faraya

Jounieh and Harissa: Jounieh enjoys one of the most beautiful natural settings on the coast with its lovely bay. It 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. From Jounieh to Tripoli, beaches and seaside resorts offer swimming facilities and other water sports and pleasures for the tourist. The town of Byblos is a must, where the ruins and monuments of the antique town, the port and the modern activities in the area, make this one of the most important sites.

Jounieh bay

Our Lady of Harissa

Téléférique - Harissa

Casino du Liban

Byblos at night

Another view from Jounieh bay

Tripoli, capital town of the North Lebanon region, dates back to earliest antiquity. The diversity of its ancient monuments: Crusader, Arab, Mameluke and Ottoman, plus its designation as the official venue for the country’s international trade and cultural events, make a fascinating mixture of ancient and modern to attract the visitor.

The Citadel, Tripoli - Lebanon

Travelling from Beirut to the Shouf, the Beiteddine Palace is a fine, well-preserved example of traditional Lebanese architecture of the nineteenth century.

Dhour El Choueir looking towards Sofar (Metn, Lebanon)

Beiteddine Palace in the Chouf region - Lebanon

Along the South Coast, the town of Saida (Sidon) and Sour (Tyre), origin of the foundation of Carthage and the biblical cities of trade, also have vestiges of their prestigious past worth visiting.

Sidon - The Sea Castle

Sidon Saida, Lebanon - view of the city

Tyre.

Tyre.

Travelling from Beirut to the Beqa’a valley one passes through the abundant plains literally strewn with numerous archaeological and tourist sites, including Baalbeck, famous some thirteen hundred years before Christ, and for its world-renowned Roman temples and other treasures and artefacts.

Baalbeck

In addition to those sites already mentioned, there are myriad places of touristic and archaeological interest, or sites of natural beauty for the visitor to discover and explore at leisure such as Anjar and Zahlé.