Lebanon

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{{Infobox Country|native_name = الجمهورية اللبنانية La République LibanaiseAl-Jumhūriyyah al-Lubnāniyyah Lebanese Republic |common_name = Lebanon|image_flag = Flag of Lebanon.svg|image_coat = Coat of Arms of Lebanon.svg|national_motto = (Arabic) "Nous sommes tous pour le pays, la sublimation et le drapeau!"(French language) "We are all for the Country, the Sublime and the Flag!"|image_map = LocationLebanon.svg|national_anthem = Koullouna Lilouataan Lil Oula Lil Alam|official_languages = Arabic language, French language|usual_languages = Armenian language and English language|demonym = Lebanese|capital = Beirut|leader_title1 = [President of Lebanon|leader_title2 = Prime Minister of Lebanon|leader_name1 = Émile Lahoud|area_km2 = 10,452|area_sq_mi = 4,035 -->|population_density_rank = 26th|GDP_PPP_year = 2006|GDP_PPP = $21.45 billion|GDP_PPP_rank = 103rd|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $6,100|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 90th|HDI_year = 2006|HDI = 0.774|HDI_rank = 78th|HDI_category = medium|FSI = 92.4 11.9|FSI_year = 2007|FSI_rank = 28th|FSI_category = Alert|sovereignty_type = Independence from France|established_event1 = Declared|established_date1 = [November 26, 1941, [1943 ([LL)]|utc_offset = +2|time_zone_DST = Eastern European Summer Time|utc_offset_DST = +3|cctld = .lb: /[IPA chart for English/) (Arabic: لبنان Lubnān) (French language: Liban), officially the Lebanese Republic () (), is a small, largely mountainous country in the Middle East, located at the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east, and Israel to the south. Due to its sectarian diversity, Lebanon follows a special political system, known as confessionalism (politics), meant to distribute power as evenly as possible among different sects.Countries Quest. "Lebanon, Government". Retrieved December 14, 2006.

The flag of Lebanon features a Lebanon Cedar in green against a white backdrop, Spanish fess by two horizontal red stripes along the top and bottom. This, and the very name of the country itself, are in reference to the verses of the Old Testament (mostly in Psalms) that speak of "Arzei HaL'vanon," or "Cedars of Lebanon."

Until the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), the country enjoyed relative calm and prosperity, driven by the tourism, agriculture, and banking sectors of the economy.U.S. Department of State. "Background Note: Lebanon (History) August 2005" Retrieved December 2, 2006. It is considered the banking capital of the Arab world and was widely known as the "Switzerland of the Middle East"USPG. "Anglican Church in Jerusalem responds to the Middle East crisis". Retrieved October 31, 2006.Socialist Party (2005). "A new crisis in the Middle East?". Retrieved October 31, 2006. due to its financial power. Lebanon also attracted large numbers of tourists,Anna Johnson (2006). "Lebanon: Tourism Depends on Stability". Retrieved October 31, 2006. to the point that the capital Beirut became widely referred to as the "Paris of the Middle East."TC Online (2002). "Paris of the Middle East". Retrieved October 31, 2006.

Immediately following the end of the war, there were extensive efforts to revive the economy and rebuild national infrastructure.Canadian International Development Agency. "Lebanon: Country Profile". Retrieved December 2, 2006. By early 2006, a considerable degree of stability had been achieved throughout much of the country, Beirut's reconstruction was almost complete,Center for the Study of the Built Environment. "Deconstructing Beirut's Reconstruction: 1990-2000". Retrieved October 31, 2006. and an increasing number of foreign tourists were pouring into Lebanon's resorts. Meanwhile, Hezbollah, the Islamic resistance movement, had established a firm foothold in Southern Lebanon. The 2006 Lebanon War between Israel and Hezbollah brought mounting Casualties of the 2006 Lebanon War, extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, and massive population displaced person from July 12, 2006 until a ceasefire went into effect on August 14, 2006.

Etymology

The name Lebanon ("Lubnān" in standard Arabic; "Lebnan" or "Lebnèn" in local dialect) is derived from the Semitic root "LBN", which is linked to several closely-related meanings in various languages, such as white and milk.Joumana Medlej. "The Mountain". Retrieved December 15, 2006. This is regarded as reference to the snow-capped Mount Lebanon.Antoine Harb (2004). "Lebanon: A Name through 4000 Years". Retrieved November 1, 2006. Occurrences of the name have been found in three of the twelve tablets of the Epic of Gilgamesh (2900 bc), the texts of the library of Ebla (2400 bc), and the Bible. The word Lebanon is also mentioned 71 times in the Old Testament.Christian World News. "Lebanon Historically Linked to the Bible". Retrieved February 21, 2007.Roger Yazbeck. "Lebanon was mentioned 71 times in the Holy Bible...". Retrieved February 21, 2007. The name is even recorded in Egyptian language as Rmnn, where r and l were interchangeable.

Geography and climate and Anti-Lebanon Mountains mountain ranges

Lebanon is located in Southwest Asia. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west along a 225 kilometre coastline, by Syria to the east and north, and by Israel to the south. The Lebanon-Syria border stretches for and the Lebanon-Israel border for . The border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights in Syria is disputed by Lebanon in a small area called Shebaa Farms, but the border has been demarcated by the United NationsTelegraph (2000). "Israel's Withdrawal from Lebanon Given UN's Endorsement". Retrieved November 1, 2006. (see Blue Line (Lebanon)).

Lebanon has a total area of , making it the 166th largest country in the world. Most of that area is mountainous terrain,Encyclopædia Britannica. "Lebanon". Retrieved December 10, 2006. except for the narrow coastline and the Beqaa Valley, an integral part of Lebanon's agriculture.

Lebanon has a moderate Mediterranean climate. In coastal areas, winters are generally cool and rainy whilst summers are hot and humid. In more elevated areas, temperatures usually drop below 0 °C (32 °F) during the winter with frequent (sometimes heavy) snow; summers, on the other hand, are warm and dry.(Bonechi et al.) (2004) Golden Book Lebanon, p. 3, Florence, Italy: Casa Editrice Bonechi. ISBN 88-476-1489-9 Although most of Lebanon receives a relatively large amount of rainfall annually (compared to its arid surroundings), certain areas in north-eastern Lebanon receive little rainfall because the high peaks of the western mountain front block much of the rain clouds that originate over the Mediterranean Sea.Country Studies US. "Lebanon - Climate". Retrieved November 5, 2006.

In ancient times, Lebanon housed large forests of the Lebanon cedar, which now serve as the country's national emblem.Blue Planet Biomes. "Lebanon Cedar - Cedrus libani". Retrieved December 10, 2006. However, centuries of trading cedar trees, used by ancient mariners for boats, and the absence of any efforts to replant them have depleted Lebanon's once-flourishing cedar forests.

Governorates and districts Lebanon is divided into six governorates (mohaafazaat, Arabic language محافظات —singular mohafazah, Arabic language محافظة) which are further subdivided into twenty-five districts (aqdya—singular: qadaa).USAID Lebanon. "USAID Lebanon—Definitions of Terms used". Retrieved December 17, 2006. The districts themselves are also divided into several municipalities, each enclosing a group of cities or villages. The governorates and their respective districts are listed below:Beirut GovernorateThe Beirut Governorate is not divided into districts and is limited to the city of Beirut.Nabatiyeh Governorate (Jabal Amel) - 4 districts

Nabatieh District

Hasbaya District

Marjeyoun District

Bint Jbeil District

Beqaa Governorate - 5 districts

Hermel District

Baalbek District

Zahle District

Western Beqaa District (al-Beqaa al-Gharbi)

Rashaya District

North Governorate (al-Shamal) - 7 districts

Akkar District

Tripoli District

Zgharta District

Bsharri District

Batroun District

Koura District

Miniyeh-Danniyeh District

Mount Lebanon Governorate (Jabal Lubnan) - 6 districts

Jbeil District

Kesrwan District

Matn District

Baabda District

Aley District

Chouf District

South Governorate (al-Janoub) - 3 districts

Sidon District (Saida)

Tyre District (Sur)

Jezzine District

Demographics and religion No official census has been taken since 1932, reflecting the political sensitivity in Lebanon over confessional (i.e. religious) balance.Country Studies. "Lebanon Population". Retrieved November 25, 2006. It is estimated that about 59% are Muslims (Sunni, Shia, Druze, and Alawites) and 39% are Christians (mostly Maronites, Antiochian Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church, Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, Chaldean Catholic).CIA, the World Factbook (2006). "Lebanon". Retrieved November 7, 2006. Lebanon has a population of Kurdish people (also known as Mhallami or Mardinli). The numbers per regilion vary from time to time, but mostly the Shia are the majority in the Muslims and the Maronite in the Christians. According to statistics, the distribution of sects in Lebanon measures as follows: Christians (all sects) 37%, Shias 34%, Sunnis 20%, Druz 7%, others 2%.

The number of those inhabiting Lebanon proper was estimated at 3,874,050 in July 2006. There are approximately 16 million people of Lebanese descent spread all over the world, Brazil being the country with the biggest Lebanese community abroad.Marina Sarruf (2006). "Brazil Has More Lebanese than Lebanon". Retrieved November 30, 2006. Argentina, Australia, Canada, Colombia, France, Great Britain, Mexico, Venezuela, United States of America, West Africa, and the Dominican Republic also have large Lebanese communities.

A total of 394,532 Palestinian refugees have registered in Lebanon with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (unrwa) since 1948.UNRWA (December 31, 2003). "UNRWA: Palestinian Refugees". Retrieved November 25, 2006.

Economy The urban population in Lebanon is noted for its commercial enterprise. U.S. Department of State (1994) Header: People, 4th paragraph. Retrieved December 3, 2006. Over the course of time, emigration has yielded Lebanese "commercial networks" throughout the world.Background Note: Lebanon "www.washingtoninstitute.org" Retrieved December 3, 2006. Lebanon has a high proportion of skilled labour comparable to most European nations and the highest among Arab countries.United Nations Population Fund. "Lebanon - Overview". Retrieved November 9, 2006.

Agriculture Lebanon is ideally suited for agriculture activities in terms of water availability and fertility (soil), as it possesses the highest proportion of cultivable land in the Arab world.Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, U.S.A. 1986-1988. . Retrieved December 2, 2006. Ironically though, Lebanon does not have a large agricultural sector. Attracting a mere 12% of the total workforce,Jean Hayek et al, 1999. The Structure, Properties, and Main Foundations of the Lebanese Economy. In The Scientific Series in Geography, Grade 11, 110-114. Beirut: Dar Habib. agriculture is the least popular economic sector in Lebanon. It contributes approximately 11.7% of the country's GDP, also placing it in the lowest rank compared to other economic sectors. Most of the plants that are grown include:apples, peaches, oranges, and lemons.US Department of State (2005). "Lebanon". Retrieved November 1, 2006.

Industry Lebanon's lack of material for Secondary sector of industry and its complete dependency on Arab countries for oil have made it difficult for the Lebanese to engage in significant manufacturing. As such, industry in Lebanon is mainly limited to small businesses concerned with reassembling and packaging imported parts. In 2004, industry ranked second in workforce, with 26% of the Lebanese working population, and second in GDP contribution, with 21% of Lebanon's GDP.

Services and commerce is a World Heritage Sites

A combination of beautiful climate, many historic landmarks and World Heritage Sites continues to attract large numbers of tourists to Lebanon annually, in spite of its political instability. In addition, Lebanon's strict bank secrecy and capitalism economy—unique in its area—have given it significant economic status among Arab countries. The thriving tourism and banking activities have naturally made the services sector the most important pillar of the Lebanese economy. The majority of the Lebanese workforce (nearly 65%) have preferred employment in the services sector, as a result of the abundant job opportunities and large paychecks. The GDP contribution, accordingly, is very large and amounts to roughly 67.3% of the annual Lebanese GDP.

The economy's dependence on services has always been an issue of great criticism and concern, since this renders the country subject to the instability of this sector and the vagaries of international trade.

Historical development The 1975-1990 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a Southwest Asian entrepôt and banking hub. The subsequent period of relative peace enabled the central government to restore control in Beirut, begin collecting taxes, and regain access to key port and government facilities. Economic recovery has been helped by a financially sound banking system and resilient small- and medium-scale manufacturers, with family remittances, banking services, manufactured and farm exports, and international aid as the main sources of foreign exchange. CIA World Factbook 2001. Retrieved 2006-12-04.

Until the 2006 Lebanon War, Lebanon's economy witnessed excellent growth, with bank assets reaching over 75 billion dollars.Bank Audi (2006). "Lebanon Economic Report: 2nd Quarter, 2006". Retrieved November 27, 2005. By the end of the first half of 2006, the influx of tourists to Lebanon has already registered a 49.3% increase over 2005 figures. Market capitalization was also at an all time high, estimated at $10.9 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2006, just weeks before the fighting started.

The war severely damaged Lebanon's fragile economy, especially the tourism sector. According to a preliminary report published by the Lebanese Ministry of Finance on August 30, 2006, a major economic decline was expected as a result of the fighting.Lebanese Ministry of Finance (2006). "Impact of the July Offensive on the Public Finances in 2006". Retrieved September 24, 2006.

Beirut airport (Rafiq Hariri International Airport) re-opened in September 2006 and the efforts to revive the Lebanese economy have since been proceeding at a slow pace. Major contributors to the reconstruction of Lebanon include Saudi Arabia (with 1.5 billion US dollars pledged),Cyprus News (2006). "Saudi Arabia Key Contributor To Lebanon's Reconstruction". Retrieved November 26, 2006. the European Union (with about $1 billion)Lebanon Under Siege (2006). "Donors pledge more than $940 million for Lebanon". Retrieved November 26, 2006. and a few other Gulf countries with contributions of up to $800 million.Ain-Al-Yaqeen (2006). "The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Reviews with the Jordanian King the Situation in Lebanon...". Retrieved November 27, 2006.

Education All Lebanese schools are required by the government to follow a prescribed curriculum designed by the Ministry of Education (Lebanon). Private schools, approximately 1,400 in all,Samidoun (2006). "Aid groups scramble to fix buildings, fill backpacks before school bell rings". Retrieved December 9, 2006. may also add more courses to their curriculum with approval from the Ministry of Education. The main subjects taught are Mathematics, Sciences, History, Civics, Geography, Arabic, and French language, English language or both. Other rotating teachers within the school teach Physical Education, Art, and at times library use. The subjects gradually increase in difficulty and in number. Students in Grade 11, for example, usually study up to eighteen different subjects.

The government introduces a mild form of selectivity into the curriculum by giving 11th graders choice between three "concentrations": Sciences, Humanities or economy, and 12th graders choice between four concentrations: Life Sciences (SV), General Sciences (SG), Sociology and Economics (SE), and Humanities and Literature (LH). The choices in concentration do not include major changes in the number of subjects taken (if at all). However, subjects that fall out of the concentration are given less weight in grading and are less rigorous, while subjects that fall within the concentration are more challenging and contribute significantly to the final grade.

Students go through three academic phases:

Elementary education: six years.

Intermediate: three years; students earn Intermediate Certification (Lebanese Brevet) at completion.

Secondary education: three years, students who pass official exams earn a Baccalaureate Certificate (Baccalauréat Libanais) in the concentration they chose in 12th grade.

These three phases are provided free to all students and the first eight years are, by law, compulsory.US Department of State (2005). "Lebanon". Retrieved December 15, 2006. Nevertheless, this requirement currently falls short of being fully enforced.

Higher education Following high school, Lebanese students may choose to study at a university, a college, or a vocational training institute. The number of years to complete each program varies.

While the Lebanese educational system offer a very high quality and international class of education, the local employment market lacks of enough opportunities, thus encouraging many of the young educated to travel abroad; You can find successful Lebanese engineers, doctors, businessmen, etc. practically all over the world.

Lebanon has 41 nationally-accredited universities, several of which are internationally recognized.Infopro Management. "Lebanon Opportunities - Business Information". Retrieved January 30, 2007.Lebanese Directory of Higher Education. "Decrees". Retrieved January 30, 2007. The American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Université Saint-Joseph (USJ) were the first Anglophone and the first Francophone universities to open in Lebanon respectively.eIFL.net Regional Workshop (2005). "Country Report: Lebanon". Retrieved December 14, 2006.Université Saint-Joseph. "125 years of history - A timeline". Retrieved December 8, 2006. The forty-one universities, both public and private, largely operate in French, or English as these are the most widely used foreign languages in Lebanon.Yalla!. "Yalla! Students". Retrieved December 15, 2006.

At the English universities, students who have graduated from an American-style high school program enter at the freshman level to earn their baccalaureate equivalence from the Lebanese Ministry of Higher Education. This qualifies them to continue studying at the higher levels. Such students are required to have already taken the SAT I and the SAT II upon applying to college, in lieu of the official exams. On the other hand, students who have graduated from a school that follows the Lebanese educational system are directly admitted to the wiktionary:sophomore year. These students are still required to take the SAT I, but not the SAT II.

There are List of universities in Lebanon in Lebanon, including the Lebanese University, the American University of Beirut, the Université Saint-Joseph, and the Lebanese American University. In addition, some students choose to study abroad. The United Nations assigned Lebanon an Education Index of 0.84 in 2005.

Culture Lebanese nationals, particularly some Christians, tend to emphasize aspects of Lebanon's non-Arab history as a mark of respect to encompass all of Lebanon's historical makeup instead of only that which began during the Arab conquests. In this respect, it would be wrong to dismiss Lebanon's mosaic culture as only Arabic when it is clear that it is a blend of indigenous and invading or foreign cultures that have given it the title of the crossroads between east and west for centuries.Over the centuries, Maronites formed a bond with the Pope and in the French period Maronites eagerly took part in France's mission civilisatrice. There is also an old Maronite standard, dating from the early 19th century writings of Tannus al Shidyaq, that the Maronites are the direct descendants of the Phoenicians. In the 1920s Michel Chiha expanded this idea of phoenicianism.

In a concession to Lebanon's Eastern and Western heritage, some Lebanese prefer to see Lebanon as part of "Mediterranean" or "Levantine" civilization, neither Arab nor European.

The non Arabness only applies to small segments of the culture. Everyone born and raised in Lebanon communicates using Arabic in a Lebanese dialect. This applies to its Islamic, Christian, Druze, and other religious practices. Some words in use are Turkish remnants of the Ottoman rule (until WWI). Some chanting in a few churches and on Easter and Christmas holidays is performed in Syriac , but this is a largely dying practice. Some minorities like Kurds and Armenians use their own languages in everyday speak and cultural interactions. These minorities are estimated at around 2-3%. Language, food, music, arts and various cultural facets are local Lebanese and performed practically all in Arabic. The youth today are quite westernized and "modernized" breaking away with traditions like most other larger cities in the world (dating, western music, food, etc.) Compared to other Arab cities, Lebanese cities (especially Beirut) are more westernized and tolerant, and overt towards men-women relations than most Arab cities, like Damascus, Cairo, Baghdad...

Food and music overlap greatly with those of Egypt, Greece, Syria, Palestine and Turkey (all were Ottoman provinces for 500 years.) While dress was historically similar to the Turks, today the Lebanese dress quite similarly to western countries.

Overview and its coloniesThe area including modern Lebanon has been for thousands of years a melting pot of various civilizations and cultures. Originally home to the Phoenicians, and then subsequently conquered and occupied by the Assyrians, the Persians, the Greeks, the Ancient Rome, the Arabs, the Ottoman Turks and most recently the France, Lebanese culture has over the millennia evolved by borrowing from all of these groups. Lebanon's diverse population, composed of different ethnic and religious groups, has further contributed to the country's lively festivals, highly successful musical styles and literature as well as their rich cuisine - and numerous violent clashes amongst different religious and ethnic groups. When compared to the rest of the Middle East, Lebanese society as a whole is well educated, and as of 2003 87.4% of the population was literate.Lebanon CIA World Fact Book. . December 18, 2006. Lebanese society is very modern and similar to certain cultures of Mediterranean Europe. It is often considered to serve as the European gateway to the Middle East as well as the Arab gateway to the Western World.Lebanon Culture. . December 18, 2006. Language Lebanon's official languages are Arabic language and French language. Armenian language and English language are also widely spoken and understood. Virtually all Lebanese are at least trilingual. Many Lebanese speak a patois of some combination of these four languages—most commonly an Arabic-French mixture—which can be very difficult for other Arab speakers to understand.

Spoken Arabic is one part of a grouping of dialects called Levantine Arabic, differing greatly from the literary fusha, and owing its historical blend to the Syriac dialect of Aramaic and Arabic. It is a fusion between Syriac and Arabic as well as some Turkish, and thus in this respect can be more correctly classified as a language from Arabic, albeit very similar due to its relationship on the tree of Semitic languages.Regional influences and occupations throughout the centuries could possibly explain why Lebanese people speak so many languages, even incorporating them into their own.

Due to the importance of the Lebanese diaspora and business interests of Lebanese worldwide, it has always been important to master languages other than Arabic. Many of Lebanon's best educational institutions offer primary instruction in French, or English depending on whether the school, university, or college follows the French or American education systems. These have strict rules that the students are taught in the language of the school's origin.

In the Christian communities, until the Lebanese Civil War, it was seen as a mark of status to not speak Arabic. The reason for this could possibly be that Christians generally were educated in many of the French educational institutions and so a general Francophonic class emerged in their communities. In some places French still is preferred to Arabic, and English has been making significant headway in the past 15-20 years. However, as the Muslim population increased in previously Christian areas, Arabic in public is omnipresent, not merely commonplace.

Cuisine Lebanese Cuisine,(Arabic , المأكولات اللبنانية ), (French language La Gastronomie Libanaise) or foods from Lebanon, are considered a Mediterranean cuisine basically Levantine Arabic delicacy consisting of a variety of fresh Vegetarian cuisine, salads and stews all seasoned with a flavorsome combination of herbs and spices. One of the most world known Lebanese specialties is called the Maza, also written "Mezze", which is a selection of appetisers: olives, cheeses, Labanee, or small portions also known as muqabbilat (Arabic for starters).

As with most Mediterranean cuisines, Lebanese cuisine is considered to be a very balanced, healthy diet.

The cuisine of Lebanon is the epitome of the Mediterranean diet. It includes an abundance of starches, fruits, vegetables, fresh fish and seafood; animal fats are consumed sparingly. Poultry is eaten more often than red meat, and when red meat is eaten it is usually lamb. It also includes copious amounts of garlic and olive oil-nary a meal goes by in Lebanon that does not include these two ingredients. Most often foods are either grilled, baked or sauted in olive oil; butter or cream is rarely used other than in a few desserts. Vegetables are often eaten raw or pickled as well as cooked. While the cuisine of Lebanon doesn't boast an entire repertoire of sauces, it focuses on herbs, spices and the freshness of ingredients; the assortment of dishes and combinations are almost limitless. The meals are full of robust, earthy flavors and, like most Mediterranean countries, much of what the Lebanese eat is dictated by the seasons.

Creative Arts Lebanese music is known around the world for its soothing rhythms and oriental beats. Traditional and folk music are extremely popular as are western rhythms.Perhaps the best-known and listened to Lebanese singer is Fairuz. Her songs are broadcast every morning on most radio stations and many TV channels, both in Lebanon and the Arab world in general.Other artists are also well known and loved like Majida El Roumi, Marcel Khalife who is also a composer, oud player, and Julia Boutros.Some Lebanese artists like Najwa Karam and Assi Hellani remain loyal to a traditional type of music known as 'Jabali' (from the mountains), while many other artists incorporate western style into their songs. Lebanese artists are perhaps the most popular in the Arab world alongside Egyptian performers, and the star scene includes prominent figures like Najwa Karam, Nancy Ajram, Elissa (singer), Haifa Wehbe, Ragheb Alame, Myriam Fares, Wael Kfoury, Nawal Al Zoghbi, Carole Samaha, Julia Boutros, Marwan Khouri, Waleed Tawfeek, Amal Hijazi and Majida El Roumi.The openness of lebanese previously cited allows a perfect tolerance for foreign or western music too . One could easily experience any kind of music in downtown Beirut or peripherals; for example: rock fans could visit "Nova" pub ; for blues and jazz fans , "the blue note" ; techno and trance fans , "basement" and " B.O. 18" .... Lebanese artist and Lebanese music is sometimes influenced by foreign music too ... For instance , "Lebanese rock" (Ghassan rahbani) or "Lebanese rap"(Aaks El seir")

Sports Because of Lebanon's unique geography, both summer and winter sports thrive in the country. In fact, in fall and spring it is sometimes possible to engage in both in one day, skiing in the morning and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea during the afternoon.

Lebanon boasts six skiing resorts, with slopes suitable for skiers and snowboarding of all ages and levels of experience. Off-slope, there are many opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

In the summer, skilifts can be used to access some of Lebanon's best hiking trails, with panoramic views stretching as far as Cyprus to the west and Syria to the east on clear days. Canoeing, cycling, rafting, climbing, swimming, sailing and spelunking are among the other common leisure sports in Lebanon. Adventure and extreme sports are also possible throughout the country.

At the competitive level, basketball, football (soccer) are among Lebanon's most popular sports. In recent years, Lebanon has hosted the Asian Cup and the Pan-Arab Games; the country will host the Winter Asian Games in 2009. To meet the needs of these international competitions, Lebanon maintains state-of-the-art athletic facilities, which in turn encourage local sporting activities. Lebanon sends athletes to both the winter and summer games of the Olympic Games and Special Olympics.

Lebanon has a Lebanon national rugby league team that competed in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup but was knocked out in the group stage. They are currently in the process of qualifying for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. The national team also competes in the annual Mediterranean Cup where it has been quite successful. The Lebanese Rugby League has its headquarters in Biakout in Lebanon. They are associate members of the Rugby League European Federation and run a domestic competition comprising five clubs, who play in two seasons a year - spring and winter.

The most famous Lebanese rugby league player is Hazem El Masri who currently plays in Australia with the National Rugby League and holds the point scoring record in a season. He is highly respected in Australia for his social work.

The Beirut International Marathon (sport) is held every fall, drawing top runners from Lebanon and abroad. Shorter races are also held for youth and less serious competitors. Race day is promoted as a fun, family event, and it has become a tradition for many to participate in costumes or outlandish clothing.

Arts and literature In literature, Gibran Khalil Gibran is known to be one of the world's famous writers, particularly known for his book The Prophet (book), which has been translated into more than twenty different languages.The Hindu (January 5, 2003). "Called by life";. Retrieved January 8, 2007.

Several contemporary Lebanese writers have achieved international success; including Elias Khoury (writer), Amin Maalouf and Hanan al-Shaykh.

In art, Moustafa Farroukh and Alfred Bassbouss are very famous. Mustafa Farroukh (1901-1957) was one of Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 20th century. Formally trained in Rome and Paris, he exhibited in venues from Paris to New York to Beruit over his career. His work was applauded for its representation of real life in Lebanon in pictures of the country, its people and its customs. Farroukh became highly regarded as a Lebanese nationalist painter at a time when Lebanon was asserting its political independence. His art captured the spirit and character of the Lebanese people and he became recognized as the outstanding Lebanese painter of his generation. His total paintings were more than 2000 sold to collectors inside and outside of Lebanon. He also wrote five books and taught art at the American University of Beruit., the venue of Beiteddine FestivalAmong the best-known Lebanese musicians are the singer Fairuz and her son Ziad Rahbani, Magida El- Roumi, Sabbah,Wadie El Safi, Nasre Shams El-Din, oud player Marcel Khalife,etc..

Festivals Several international festivals are held in Lebanon, featuring world-renowned artists and drawing crowds from Lebanon and abroad. Among the most famous are the summer festivals at Baalbek, Beiteddine, and Byblos. Beirut in particular has a very vibrant arts scene, with numerous performances, exhibits, fashion shows, and concerts held throughout the year in its galleries, museums, theatres, and public spaces.

Politics Lebanon is a parliamentary, democratic republic, which implements a special system known as confessionalism (politics).Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (2002). "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002: Lebanon". Retrieved January 3, 2007. This system, meant to insure that sectarian conflict is kept at bay, attempts to fairly represent the demographic distribution of religious sects in the governing body. As such, high-ranking offices in the government are reserved for members of specific religious groups. The President, for example, has to be a Maronite Catholic Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim, the Deputy Prime Minister an Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Speaker (politics) a Shi’a Muslim.United States Institute of Peace (March 2006). "Lebanon's Confessionalism: Problems and Prospects". Retrieved January 3, 2007.Marie-Joëlle Zahar. "CHAPTER 9 POWER SHARING IN LEBANON: FOREIGN PROTECTORS, DOMESTIC PEACE, AND DEMOCRATIC FAILURE1". (DOC) Retrieved January 3, 2007.

building at the Place de l'ÉtoileThis trend continues in the distribution of the 128 parliamentary seats, which are divided proportionally between Muslims and Christians. Prior to 1990, the ratio stood at 6:5 in favor of Christians; however, the Taif Accord, which put an end to the 1975-1990 civil war, adjusted the ratio to grant equal representation to followers of the two religions. According to the constitution, direct elections must be held for the parliament every four years, although for much of Lebanon’s recent history, civil war precluded the exercise of this right.

The parliament elects the president for a non-renewable six-year term. At the urging of the Syrian government, this constitutional rule has been bypassed by ad hoc Constitutional amendment twice in recent history. Elias Hrawi’s term, which was due to end in 1995, was extended for three years.Middle East Intelligence Bulletin (2004). "The US and France Tip the Scale in Lebanon's Power Struggle". Retrieved January 6, 2007. This procedure, denounced by pro-democracy campaigners, was repeated in 2004 to allow Émile Lahoud to remain in office until 2007.New Age International (November 6, 2006). "Lebanon leaders head for talks amid street protest threats". Retrieved January 3, 2007.

The President appoints the Prime Minister on the nomination of the parliament (which is, in most cases, binding).Lebanon2000.com. "Factbook - Lebanon". Retrieved January 3, 2006. Following consultations with the parliament and the President, the Prime Minister forms the Cabinet, which must also adhere to the sectarian distribution set out by confessionalism., the governement headquarters in downtown BeirutLebanon's judicial system is based on the Napoleonic Code. Juries are not used in trials. The Lebanese court system consists of three levels: courts of first instance, courts of appeal, and the court of cassation. There also is a system of religious courts having jurisdiction over personal status matters within their own communities, with rules on matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Lebanese law does not provide for Civil marriage (although it recognizes such marriages contracted abroad); efforts by former List of Presidents of Lebanon Elias Hrawi to legalize civil marriage in the late 1990s floundered on objections mostly from Muslim clerics. Additionally, Lebanon has a system of military courts that also has jurisdiction over civilians for crimes of espionage, treason, and other crimes that are considered to be security-related.US Department of State (2006). "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, 2005: Lebanon". Retrieved December 17, 2006. These military courts have been criticized by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International for "seriously fall short of international standards for fair trial" and having "very wide jurisdiction over civilians".Amnesty International (2005). "A Human Rights Agenda for the Parliamentary Elections, Lebanon". Retrieved December 17, 2006.

History , king of Byblos, now in the National Museum of Beirut Ancient history The earliest known settlements in Lebanon date back to earlier than 5000 BC. Archaeologists have discovered in Byblos, which is considered to be the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the world, "Byblos". Retrieved July 31, 2007. remnants of prehistoric huts with crushed limestone floors, primitive weapons, and burial jars which are evidence of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic fishing communities who lived on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea over 7,000 years ago.

Lebanon was the homeland of the Phoenicians, a seafaring people that spread across the Mediterranean before the rise of Cyrus the Great.About.com (1987). "Lebanon in Ancient Times". Retrieved December 17, 2006. After two centuries of Persian rule, Alexander the Great attacked and burned Tyre (Lebanon), the leading Phoenician city. Throughout the subsequent centuries leading up to recent times, the country became part of numerous succeeding empires, among them Persian Empire, Macedon, Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, Arab Empire, Crusader States, and Ottoman Empire.

French mandate and independence Lebanon was part of the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years, in a region known as Greater Syria,U.S. Library of Congress. "History: Present-Day Syria". Retrieved May 2, 2007. until 1916 when the area became a part of the

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