Lebanon

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Lebanon's Information


Capital	Beirut
Languages	Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
Ethnic Groups	Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
Religion	Muslim 54% (27% Sunni, 27% Shia), Christian 40.5% (includes 21% Maronite Catholic, 8% Greek Orthodox, 5% Greek Catholic, 6.5% other Christian), Druze 5.6%, very small numbers of Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists, Hindus, and Mormons
Government	Parliamentary republic
Independance	22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)
Area	10,400.00 km²
Water Area	170.00 km²
Land Area	10,230.00 km²
Population	6,237,738.00 The majority of the people live on or near the Mediterranean coast, and of these most live in and around the capital, Beirut; favorable growing conditions in the Bekaa Valley, on the southeastern side of the Lebanon Mountains, have attracted farmers and thus the area exhibits a smaller population density
Location	Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria
No. Bordering Countries	2
Bordering Countries	Israel 81 km, Syria 403 km
GDP(PPP)	$85,160,000,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$18,500.00 (USD)
Export Partners	Its major export partners are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq.
Export Commodities	Its main exports are jewelry, base metals, chemicals, and consumer goods.
Import Partners	Its major import partners are China, Italy, and Germany.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, and meat.
Climate	Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; the Lebanon Mountains experience heavy winter snows
Terrain	Narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains

Where is Lebanon?

Located in the Middle East, Lebanon has a 484.00 km border with Israel (81 km) and Syria (403 km). It has a 225.00 km coastline. Portoins of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute.

Lebanon's largest and capital city is Beirut. It is the backbone of the country's economy, as well as a hotspot for culture. The ancient city of Beirut dates back to ancient days and is a favorite destination for archaeological study. The city is a major port, located on the Mediterranean Sea between two hills. As an administrative center, the city contains important buildings and offices, which include the office of president of the independent state of Lebanon. The parliament building is also located in Beirut. The main economical sectors which fuel the city include banking and tourism.

Geography

Lebanon has a mean elevation of 1,250 m above sea level.

It has a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Its terrain consits of narrow coastal plains, as well as mountains.

Population

Lebanon has a population of 6,237,738 making it the 107th largest in the world. The majority of the population lives in or near the Mediterranean coast.

Arabic is the official language. The majority ethnic group is Arab. The majority of the population is either Muslim or Christian.

Lebanese is considered to be the indigenous language of Lebanon. It is a variety of Arabic. This language is used extensively, especially in poetry and art. It is also the main language in most television shows and radio stations. Multilingualism is very common in Lebanon, and code-switching is not uncommon in the country.

Government

Lebanon is an independent country. It gained its independence from the League of Nations in 1943. Its constitution was last ratified in 1926.

The government of Lebanon is categorised as a parliamentary as a well as a democratic government. The Constitution of Lebanon grants its citizens a chance to exercise their democratic rights by voting the members of parliament into office. According to the law, elections must be carried out after every four year period or term. The president, in conjunction with the parliament, elects the prime minister of the nation. The council of ministers in the state are vetted and confirmed by the clergies or the leaders of the various religious organizations. The Lebanese president is not eligible to be re-elected for another term. The first national Assembly of Lebanon was introduced in 1992 after the enactment of the Taif agreement.

Economy

Factoring in Purchasing Power Parity, Lebanon's GDP is $85,160,000,000.00 (USD) with $18,500.00 (USD) per capita. This makes it the 90th largest economy and its citizens the 87th richest in the world. The currency of Lebanon is the Pound (LBP).

Its major export partners are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq. Its main exports are jewelry, base metals, chemicals, and consumer goods. Its major import partners are China, Italy, and Germany. Its major imports include petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, and meat.

Flag

On December 7, 1943, the flag of Lebanon as we know it today was adopted. The flag features stripes of red on the top and bottom of the flag, which are intended to symbolize blood shed by those who fought for freedom in the country's history. The white stands for snow on the mountaintops, as well as for peace. The green cedar tree is native to the country. The flag was designed by Naoum Mokarzel, a famous intellectual and Lebanese nationalist.