 Lebanon
is situated in the Middle East and touches borders with
the Syrian Arab Republic and Israel. Its capital Beirut
was once known as the Paris of the East and has a
dominating position over the Mediterranean Sea with the
backdrop of towering mountains. The Corniche seafront is
stringed with beaches, restaurants, theatres and shops.
The official language is Arabic and both French and
English are widespread.
The country’s landscape is mountainous with a fertile
plain called the Bekaa Valley enclosed by the mountain
ranges of Mount Lebanon and Mount Hermon. Although
Lebanon is a small country it offers a diverse scenic
landscape, with cedar trees growing in the mountains,
and fertile terraced slopes where grapes, apricots,
plums, peaches and olives are grown. Along the coastal
area other types of fruits and vegetables are also
grown.
Lebanon also boast several UNESCO Heritage sites, quite
a number of these are the result of the various
civilizations that have passed through the country. At
the sites of Baalbeck, Byblos and Tyre there are
magnificent examples of Roman temples, Phoenician tombs
and Mamlouk mosques. In Aanjar one can explore the
Umayyad site a unique historical commercial center built
in the 8th century. Throughout the country one may visit
numerous ancient monasteries, churches and chapels, some
built in the rock.
Lebanon has a typical Mediterranean climate hot in the
summer and cooler in the mountain regions. There is rain
and snow during the winter from December to March.
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