Lebanon At A Glance

1. LLEBANON IS A SMALL MOUNTAINOUS COUNTRY ON THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST. IT IS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE EAST, BORDERING THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA, BETWEEN SYRIA AND ISRAEL. LEBANON HAS AN ARAB CULTURE COLORED BY WESTERN INFLUENCES.

2. Lebanon At A Glance • CAPITAL: Beirut • POPULATION: Approx. 3.8 million • LANGUAGES: Arabic (official), French, English, & Armenian • AREA: 10,452 km2(almost size of Connecticut!) • GOVERNMENT: Republic • CURRENCY: the Lebanese Lira (L.L.) CAD 1 = 1500 L.L. • CLIMATE: Mediterranean :cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. • ELEVATIONS: Highest pt –Qornet Es-Saouda (3,090m). Lowest pt – Mediterranean Sea (0m).

3. History of Lebanon • The first cities to emerge in Lebanon were built by a maritime people, the Phoenicians, from about 2500 to 400 B.C. The Phoenicians invented the alphabet and from a tiny sea snail, they produced a purple dye, called “Tyrian” purple. Phoenicians are celebrated today as the symbol of Lebanon's golden past.

4. History (cont’d) • Lebanon was part of the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years, in a region known as Greater Syria, until 1918 when the area became a part of the French Mandate following World War I. • On Nov. 26, 1941 Lebanon became independent under the authority of the Free French government.

5. Before The War • Before the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990), the country experienced a period of relative calm and prosperity, driven by tourism, agriculture, and banking. • Because of its financial power and diversity, Lebanon was known in its heyday as the "Switzerland of the East". • It attracted large numbers of tourists, such that the capital Beirut was referred to as "Paris of the Middle East."

6. Before The War

7. During The War • In 1975, civil war broke out in Lebanon. The Lebanese Civil War lasted fifteen years, devastating the country’s economy, and resulting in massive loss of human life and property. • It is estimated that 150,000 people were killed and another 200,000 wounded. • Some 900,000 people, were displaced from their homes. • There was a mass exodus of almost one million people from Lebanon • The war ended in 1990.

8. After The War • At the end of the war, there were extensive efforts to revive the economy and rebuild national infrastructure. • Until July 2006, Lebanon enjoyed considerable stability, Beirut's reconstruction was almost complete, and increasing numbers of tourists poured into the nation's resorts. • Due to its tightly regulated financial system and the highest gold reserve in the Middle East, Lebanese banks largely avoided the financial crisis of 2007–2010. • In 2009, despite a global recession, Lebanon enjoyed 9% economic growth and hosted the largest number of tourists in its history

9. Famous For • Lebanese cuisine – it is Mediterranean. Pita bread, hummus, shawarma, falafel, tabooleh • Roman archaeological sites • Beautiful beaches • Social life – Lebanese are friendly, fun loving people.

10. Famous Lebanese People • Casey Kasem - DJ and a radio host • Elie Saab - fashion designer • Frank Zappa - composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist • Khalil Gibran - writer, poet, and artist • Karl Wolf - musician and singer • Massari - R&B, pop, and hip hop singer • Paul Anka – singer, songwriter, and actor • Sammy Haggar - rock &roll superstar and former lead vocalist for Van Halen. • Salma Hayek - film actress, director and producer • Shakira - singer • Shannon Elizabeth - actress • Tony Shalhoub - actor

11. References • www.lebanon-tourism.gov.lb • http://www.everyculture.com • http://www.guide-to-lebanon.net/facts.html • http://www.state.gov/

12. Any Questions, please?