Population :3,800,000 (1996)

Capital :Beirut

Capital population :1,500,000 (1991)

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. 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.

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.

Coin denominations are: 50, 100, 250, and 500 liras.
Paper denominations are: 500, 1000, 5000, 10.000, 20.000, 50.000, and 100.000 liras.

After the drastic devaluation of the Lebanese currency in the late eighties, the whole economy is dollarized. Though today many transactions are quoted in the Lebanese currency, large purchases and real estate deals are conducted in US dollars.

Major credit cards, such as Visa, Master Card, Diners Club, and American Express, are accepted in large establishments throughout the country. ATMs are becoming more numerous and many are located outside bank branches and in the business areas of major cities.

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.
 

Lebanon's shopping arcades and busy main streets are crammed with shops selling every necessity and luxury, both local and imported.

An average long lunch in Lebanon may mean 50 or 60 dishes covering every inch of the table. While almost any food item can appear on the Mezze table, a spread that doesn't include Tabbouleh, Hoummos and Babagannouj is almost unheard off.

When eating traditional Lebanese food, particularly the Mezze, the most sophisticated citizen has to go back to old village ways; no forks are needed here. A good supply of Arabic bread is an essential tool.

Finally a platter of lettuce hearts, green onions, cucumbers, mint, tomatoes and radishes should tower at the center of the table.

Traditionally, the Lebanese food is served with Arak; a licorice flavored alcohol. Then the restaurant menu moves to true dishes such as Shish Kabab, Kofta, Chicken or Fish; you can choose other dishes but these are the favorite after Mezze.

For your desert, you can choose among a wide variety of Lebanese sweets such as Kishta, Helou Arabi and much much more.

The Holy month of Ramadan is respected by abstention from food or drink during daylight.

* Sursock Museum: one of Beirut's most important cultural centers grouping 30 small palaces reflecting the fine and luxuries Italian style, surrounded by splendid gardens which are one of the museum's main attractions.

* Palace of Beit Eddin: see Beit Eddin.

* The Wax Museum in Byblos, founded 1970. Contains more than 24 scenes and 120 natural-scale statutes showing Phoenicians way of life, their culture, civilization, and tradition, and describing in details Lebanese history, and gives a very clear idea about their habits and traditions.

* The Gibran Museum: located in the mountain monastery at Bsharreh, displays a large collection of manuscripts and paintings by the great Lebanese poet Gibran Khalil Gibran.