Libanon, situated on the Mediterranean eastern bank, is a unique mixing of cultures and European and Middle Eastern influences.

Lebanon is a very small country situated on the west of the Mediterranean .Its area is 10452 sq km. Lebanon is one of the smallest countries in the region. It’s about 85 km wide and 212 km long. Lebanon is bordered on the west by the Mediterranean Sea, on the north and east by Syria and on the South by Palestine. It is a mountainous country which most of lands are more than 1000 m above the sea level.

The Lebanon is the most important .It is about 110 km along the Mediterranean coast and reaches an altitude of 3090 m at Qurnat as –Sawda.On the east of Sayda, the Lebanon extends to chouf mountains-a fertile region where Druze live-and on the south, meets up with El Houla plain .The Anti Lebanon lies along the Syrian border.The south of this other major range forms the Mt.Hermon which reaches its highest point of 2814 m.

The majority of Lebanese main towns are situated along the coastal plain between the Mediterranean Sea and the Lebanon range. The coastal plain made of sandy bays and rocky promontories is fertile and well irrigated. We can find orangeries and palm trees.

The two major mountain ranges are separated by the fertile Bekaa Valley which extends to 15 km and was known during the Roman period as” the grain depository of the roman world”

Lebanon’s main tows are: Beirut, the Capital, Tripoli, Sayda, Zahlé, Jounieh and Tyr

Climate  

Lebanon has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry; winters are mild and humide. The average temperature in Beirut varies between 32 C in summer and 16C, 19C in winter. The mountainous region has somewhat –0 C in winter. Lebanon is one of the rare countries in the Middle East which rainfall is sufficient to provide for its agricultural industrial and domestic needs.

Annual precipitation is between 700 to 1000 m along the coast and 200 mm in the northeast of the Bekaa Valley. The Lebanon is the moistest region in the country because of 400 mm/year of rain. Generally, rain fall between October and April.

Population  

In October 1996,the Ministry of Social Affairs published the results of the first census since 1932.The population of Lebanon is 3 100 000 bar one the 200 000 to 300 000 Palestinians refugees.A normal Lebanese family is formed of 4 to 7 persons but is smaller at Beirut (4,1 persons) than in rural region (5 persons). The population is youth; 29.2 persons are under 15 years old.

Between 1960 and 1992,the demographic growth registered 1.4%, which is clearly lower than other countries in the region. Because of the conflict of the year 1975,approximately 300 000 person left Lebanon to the north and south of America, Europe, Africa and Gulf countries which is not the case actually cause Lebanese emigrants returned and started investing in their country. Their return resulted a demographic growth of 3% in 1997 and 1998>in the year 2000,the demographic growth is estimated about 2 to 3%. During the last 20 years, an important drift from the land took place and actually 85% of the population are leaving in towns.

Religions  

Lebanon is a multiconfessional country.17 religions and different religious communities exist in Lebanon where religion and politic are deeply linked

However ,we consider that the number of musulmans is higher than the Christians ones. Lebanon has an important chiite and Sunnite population also a Druze community who essentially live in the Chouf Mountains. Maronits are the most important Christian community. Furthermore there are the Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Armenian Orthodox,Chaldeans,Syriac Catholic and Syriac Orthodox in addition of a small number of Roman Catholic and protestants.

Languages  

The Arabic language is the official language in Lebanon. French and English have a wide official use. Many Lebanese are bilingual or even trilingual. French is still the most spoken language in Christian’s zones while English is widespread among musulmans. New generations choose English as a foreign langage. It is used more and more in all affairs. Lebanese who emigrated during the civil war speak also German, Spanish and Italian.

Social Structure   

After five years of the reconstruction process, the Lebanese society is still divided between rich and poor. In 1996, the Ministry of Social Affairs supposed that a great minority of Lebanese lives under the poverty line and does not afford its needs in nourriture, clothing, health, education and housing. The situation of small agriculturers and refugees is increasingly worsening.

Although poverty increased during the 1975-1990 war, social inequalities were also a problem before the civil war. In 1960 and in early 1970,many Lebanese came to Beirut willing to have a better life. The middle classes suffered also during the war .The reduction of social inequalities is one of the most challenges in the current government.