Lebanon is a liberal democracy with a constitution agreed upon in 1926 but amended many times since then (last time was in 1990). The Lebanese Republic achieved independence in 1943.
Area: 10.452 Kilometers Population: 3,562,699 (2002) Capital Population: 1,452,112 (2002)
The political system was then adapted to satisfy the deep sociological and historical needs created by the presence of eighteen religious communities within the country.
Despite the resent years of war during the period 1975 to 1990, Lebanon nowadays resembles an extremely active building site.
Located Southwestern Asia, bordering eastern coast of the Mediterranean sea, bounded on the north and east by Syria, on the south by Israel, and on the west by the Mediterranean sea.
Official language
Arabic
Second language
French & English
Religions
Muslims 75% - Christians 24%
Measures
Metric
Time
GMT +02:00 - US EST +7
Electricity
110/220 V, 50 AC
Currency
Lebanese Pound
Entry Requirements
A valid passport and a visa are required to enter Lebanon. Visas are delivered by Lebanese diplomatic missions abroad
Lebanon has always known the freedom of money transfer, permitting any person to bring in or take out any capital of his/her choice at any time without restriction.
Note: No Israeli stamp or any crossing point with Israel stamp should be on your passport this includes Araba border, Sheikh Hussein border, Rafah border, and Taba border.
Lebanon enjoys an essential Mediterranean climate with rainy winters and long warm summers with an average of 300 sunny days a year.
The winter is mild on the coast and snowy in the mountains. Annual rainfall ranges from 700 to 1200mm.
The summer is hot on the coast and mild in the mountains. In some spring months, one can ski in the mountains and swim on the coast, both in the same day.
Tourist Information Offices Ministry of Tourism - Tourist Information+961 (1) 340940 Middle East Airlines (MEA)+961 (1) 629125 – 822780 Airport Information+961 (1) 628000
Holidays
New Year 1st January St. Maroun's Day 9th February Good Friday 1 Day Easter Monday 1 Day Labor Day 1st May Martyr's Day 6th May Ascention 15th August All Saints Day 1st November Independence Day 22nd November Christmas Day 25th Dec & 6th Jan
Islamic holidays based on Hijri/Lunar calendar Eid Al-Fiter3 days marking end of Ramadan (fasting month) Eid Al-Adha 3 days at the end of Hajj Islamic New Year 1st of Moharram Ashoura 10th of Moharram Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) Birthday 12th Rabe'a El-Awwal Al-Isra' Wal Mi'raj 27th Rajab.
Lebanon has plenty of luxury and economy hotels and continues to witness a growth in the hotel industry as tourism picks up each year. In Beirut there are also many small well-run hostels. Several of the older large hotels have refurbished their premises and offer an elegant and convenient place to stay. Hotel space in the mountain is abundant, the majority in the 2 and 3 star category. Generally open in the summer season, these 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 centres. There is one campsite, at Amchite to the north of Byblos.
Few visitors to Lebanon can resist its handicrafts, either in the old style or tasteful modern adaptations of traditional designs. Lebanon's traditional souks or markets, found all over the country, offer decorative handmade items at very low prices. Special purchases include traditional pottery and glassware, as well as cutlery made of tempered steel or copper with ram or buffalo bone handles shaped in the form of birds heads. Brass and copper goods include braziers, bowls, fluted jugs, ashtrays, swords, all attractively designed and hand-engraved. Cloth, silk and wool Kaftans, Abayas (embroidered nightwear) and table linen are popular, as are handworked gold and silver which are sold at moderate prices.
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 shops selling every necessity and luxury, both local and international. Very few prices are fixed in Lebanon, and almost everything can bartered down. It is advisable to shop around in order to gain an idea of average prices. When you wish to purchase anything, offer a lower price than what you are willing to pay, allowing room for bargaining. |
