Population: 4,125,247 (July 2010 estimation)
The Lebanese Diaspora is thought to total 12 million
Age Structure:
0-14 years: 23.4% (male 495,291/female 471,606)
15-64 years: 67.7% (male 1,359,257/female 1,434,501)
65 years and over: 8.8% (male 169,238/female 195,354) (2010 estimation)
Capital City: Beirut
Languages: Arabic (official), English, French, Armenian
Religion(s): There are 18 registered sects in Lebanon including, Maronite Christian, Shia Muslim, Sunni Muslim and Druze
Currency: Lebanese Pound – Based on the US Dollar
Major political parties: Numerous political groupings exist in Lebanon, organized along mostly sectarian lines
Government: Republic
ECONOMY
Basic Economic Facts
GDP: US$ 22.1 billion (2007) GDP per head: $9255 (2007) (source EIU) Inflation: 10% Major Industries: Financial Services, Agriculture, Tourism, food processing, jewellery, textiles, mineral and chemical products Major trading partners: Exports to Switzerland 10.9%, UAE 8.7%, Syria 7.5%, Saudi Arabia 6.6%, Iraq 5.3%, Egypt 4.1%, Turkey 4%, Kuwait 3.8%, Jordan 3.5%, Belgium 3.1%. Imports from: Italy 9.6%, China 8.6%, France 7.5%, US 7.5%, Germany 6.4%, Egypt 4.4%, UK 3.8%, Turkey 3.4%, Japan 3.3%, Russia 3%, Switzerland 2.9%
Exchange rate:$1 = Lebanese Pound 1,500
The banking and financial sector continues to perform well, and effective crisis management from the Central Bank has probably removed any serious risk of currency collapse or default on debt repayment, at least for the time being. Moody’s upgraded Lebanon to ‘stable’ in March 2008, the first such upgrade since 2006. The national debt reached a record $42 billion by the end of 2007. The Paris III conference (economic assistance to Lebanon) pledged on 25 January 2007 nearly $8 billion of grants and loans which have not yet been paid in full, as many are conditional on economic reforms which have been delayed by the political crisis (e.g. privatization of the telecoms sector). However by March 2008, $4.4billion in agreements had been signed, including budgetary support of $1.78 billion.
HISTORY
History Since Independence
Lebanon was created in its present boundaries in 1920 under the French mandate. It became independent in 1943. Inter-community rivalries have been endemic, but until the 1970s were generally kept within bounds by a complex confessional system, enshrined in the 1943 National Pact. Under this system the President is a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim, the Speaker of Parliament is Shia Muslim. These divisions are reflected throughout the Cabinet and civil service.
GEOGRAPHY
Lebanon is tiny and averages around 50km from east to west and 225 km from north to south. It sits lengthways against the Mediterranean, sandwiched on two sides by Syria and one side by Israel. The country forms part of the fertile crescent - a high arc of well watered land connecting Egypt to Iraq. Lebanon's three biggest cities, Beirut, Tripoli and Sidon lie along the coastline and have their origins in Phoenician and Roman ports. Two large mountain ranges run parallel to each other down the length of the country: Mount Lebanon and the Anti Lebanon. The Mount Lebanon range runs along the coastline and in some cases the flat coastal strip is limited to a matter of metres before the land starts to climb. The highest point in the Mount Lebanon range stands at over 3000m and is snow covered for around half the year. The vast and fertile plateau of the Bekaa valley runs between the two mountain ranges and forms the northern extremity of the Great Rift Valley.
Along the coast the climate is mild with hot dry summers and wet winters but in the mountains heavy winter snow is usual.
LOCAL TIME
Local time in Lebanon is GMT +02 in winters and GMT +03 in summer.
Winter days are shorter. Summer, the days are longer.
CLIMATE
Lebanon enjoys an essential Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and longer warm summers. The country is rain free between June and October. Visitors can count on 300 sunny days every year. However, mountains are cold and snowy in winter. Average annual rainfall is about 1,000 mm in Beirut (40 inches), but much higher in the mountains.
Warm clothes are essential in the winter. Lowest temperature may be as low as -4ºC in the mountains, and 10ºC on the coast.
TRANSPORTATION
Car rental companies provide self driven cars with or without a driver. Lebanese taxis are reasonably priced (around 2000 Lebanese Pound Liras).
Bus service is also available to various destinations. However they are not reliable. Driving is the most convenient way to get around in the country. Note that the road network is undergoing a massive reconstruction.
CREDIT CARDS
Visitors may use credit cards in major establishments, such as Master Card, America Express, Diners Club and Visa.
WORKING HOURS
• Government Offices: 8 AM - 2 PM
• Banks, shops and other business: 8 AM - 5 PM
ELECTRIC CURRENT
The electrical current is 220 Volts, but some areas are still on the 110 Volts level.
COMMUNICATIONS
Land lines: International call facilities are provided by Lebanon’s own satellite stations. The country code is 961 and the outgoing international dialing code is 00.
Cellular phones: are widely available and the cellular GSM 900 network. Visitors may buy a "disposable" GSM card for their cellular phone.
Internet connection: is Available. There are cybercafés in major towns of Lebanon.
Fax: International facilities are available. Faxes can be sent from most hotels.
