LocationMiddle East.
Area10,452 sq km (4,036 sq miles).
Population3.9 million (CIA estimate 2007).
Population Density375.6 per sq km.
CapitalBeirut.
Population: 1.17 million (2003).
GovernmentRepublic.
LanguageThe official language is Arabic, followed by French as the second language. English is widely spoken. Armenian is spoken by a small percentage of the population.
ReligionIslam and Christianity are the main religion. Islam (predominantly Shi’ite)
accounts for approximately 59.7% of the population’s beliefs. Christian denominations, mainly Greek Orthodox, Maronite, Armenian and Protestant, account for another 39%. Other religions account for the remainder (including a very small Jewish community).
TimeGMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity230 volts AC, 50Hz.
Head of GovernmentPrime Minister Fouad Siniora since 2005.
Recent HistoryAn anti-Syrian alliance, led by Saad al-Hariri, son of the assassinated former prime minister Rafik Hariri, won control of Lebanon’s parliament following elections in May and June 2005. Fouad Siniora was nominated as prime minister by all but two members of the new parliament. His cabinet was composed of mainly anti-Syrian ministers, as well as a minister from Hezbollah. Lebanon’s fragile peace was shattered in July 2006, when Israeli forces attacked Lebanon following the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah. Around 1,000 Lebanese were killed and much of the infrastructure destroyed.
Former president, Emile Lahoud, stepped down in November 2007 but parliament failed to agree on a successor.
TelephoneCountry code: 961. Telephone booths are accessible for local and international calls. Payphone cards are available from post offices and kiosks.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies and there is coverage througout the country. Cellular phones are widely used and are available for hire to visitors.
InternetThere are Internet cafes in Beirut, Tripoli and most major towns.
MediaLebanon’s broadcasting scene is well-developed and diverse, reflecting the country’s pluralism and divisions. Lebanon was the first Arab country to permit private radio and television stations, but the government controls who may operate stations and whether or not they can broadcast news. Several stations are owned by leading politicians.
PostPost to Europe and the USA usually takes from one to two weeks.
Press• There are more than 30 daily newspapers published in Arabic, Armenian and French.
•
Daily Star is published in English.
• There are several English-language weeklies, primarily
Monday Morning.
• The best-selling Arabic dailies are
Al Anwar,
Al Dyar,
Al-Mustaqbal,
An Nahar and
Al Safir.
• The most important daily in French is
L’Orient-Le Jour.
Radio• Radio Liban is state-run.
• Voice of Lebanon,
Radio Delta and
Radio One are commercial stations.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
20091 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Orthodox Armenian Christmas.
7 Jan Ashoura.
9 Feb Feast of St Maroun.
9 Mar Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday).
10 Apr Good Friday.
12 Apr Easter Sunday.
17-20 Orthodox Easter.
1 May Labor Day.
6 May Martyrs' Day.
25 May Resistance and Liberation Day.
15 Aug Assumption of the Virgin.
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
22 Nov Independence Day.
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
20101 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Orthodox Armenian Christmas.
9 Feb Feast of St Maroun.
26 Feb Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday).
2 Apr Good Friday.
4 Apr Easter Sunday.
2-5 Apr Orthodox Easter.
1 May Labor Day.
6 May Martyrs' Day.
25 May Resistance and Liberation Day.
15 Aug Assumption of the Virgin.
11 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
17 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
22 Nov Independence Day.
7 Dec Islamic New Year.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
NoteMuslim feasts are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.
Contact Information:Ministry of Tourism550 rue de la Banque Centrale, Hamra, Beirut, Lebanon
Tel: (1) 746 256.
Website:
www.destinationlebanon.gov.lb Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon in the UK21 Palace Gardens Mews, London W8 4RB, UK
Tel: (020) 7229 7265.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1530.
Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon in the USA2560 28th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 939 6300.
Website:
www.lebanonembassyus.org
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