Facts about Lebanon
Official languages: Arabic, French, English, Armenian
Capital: Beirut
Area: 10,400 km²
Population: 4.1 million residents
Population density: 396.66 residents per km²
Currency: LBP
Internet TLD: .lb
ISO codes: LB , LBN, 422
The dialing code for Lebanon is +961
Flag of Lebanon
The Lebanese flag is composed of a wide white stripe in the middle and two narrower red ones at the top and bottom. The dominant feature of the flag is the silhouette of a cedar located in the center of the white stripe. The cedar has been a Christian symbol of peace and prosperity since ancient times, as evidenced by a passage from the Book of Psalms of the Old Testament: “Righteousness blossoms like a palm tree and matures like a cedar in Lebanon.” The flag was adopted in 1943 after the independence of the country, and the colors used, red, white and green, are meant to express friendship towards other Arab nations. The white also recalls the snow-capped peaks of the local mountains and the red blood shed in the battles for independence. The cedar is an important symbol even today as the country recovers from civil war.
Lebanon (officially: Lebanese Republic; Arabic الجمهورية اللبنانية) is a state in the Middle East on the Mediterranean. Lebanon borders Syria to the north and east and Israel along the Blue Line to the south. In the west it is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon is counted among the Mashrek countries and the Levant. The Lebanon Mountains, which are up to 3000 meters high, are covered in snow in winter. The name of the country, which goes back to the Semitic root lbn (“white”), is derived from its white peaks.
Lebanon gained independence on November 26, 1941, and since 1920 it has been a French mandate. Because of its economic stability and political neutrality (1949–1969), Lebanon, which is strongly influenced by the West and French, was also referred to as the “Switzerland of the Orient” in the 1950s and 1960s. The capital Beirut was known as the “Paris of the Middle East”.
The Syrian conflict is having a negative impact on the security situation in Lebanon. Travelers in Lebanon are advised to exercise particular caution and increased attention.
Biggest Cities of Lebanon by Population
Lebanon is a Middle Eastern nation located in the Levant region, with a population of over 6 million people. Its capital city is Beirut which is the largest city in Lebanon and home to more than 2 million people. The city is known for its vibrant nightlife, Mediterranean cuisine, and stunning coastline making it a popular destination for tourists.
Other major cities in Lebanon include Tripoli located near the Mediterranean Sea and known as ‘the City of Sun’; Sidon located near the Litani River and known as ‘the City of History’; or Tyre located on the southern side of Lebanon and known as ‘the City of Faith’.
Lebanon also contains some smaller cities such as Zahle located near the Beqaa Valley and home to many churches; Baalbek located near the Litani River and home to many museums; or Jounieh located on the northern side of Lebanon and known for its wine production.
Throughout Lebanon there are plenty of attractions to explore including temples, mosques, museums, national parks, beaches and monuments. Visitors can also enjoy activities such as skiing or exploring caves or take part in water sports on Lake Qaraoun.
| # | City | Population | Latitude | Longitude |
| 1 | Beirut, Lebanon | 1,916,211 | 33.8933 | 35.5016 |
| 2 | Ra’s Bayrut, Lebanon | 1,251,850 | 33.9 | 35.4833 |
| 3 | Tripoli, Lebanon | 229,509 | 34.4335 | 35.8442 |
| 4 | Sidon, Lebanon | 163,665 | 33.5575 | 35.3715 |
| 5 | Tyre, Lebanon | 135,315 | 33.2733 | 35.1939 |
| 6 | Nabatiye et Tahta, Lebanon | 120,111 | 33.3789 | 35.4839 |
| 7 | Habbouch, Lebanon | 98,544 | 33.4073 | 35.4817 |
| 8 | Jounieh, Lebanon | 96,426 | 33.9808 | 35.6178 |
| 9 | Zahle, Lebanon | 78,256 | 33.8467 | 35.902 |
| 10 | Baalbek, Lebanon | 31,027 | 34.0058 | 36.2181 |
| 11 | En Naqoura, Lebanon | 25,021 | 33.1181 | 35.1397 |
| 12 | Jbail, Lebanon | 20,895 | 34.1211 | 35.6481 |
| 13 | Bcharre, Lebanon | 20,111 | 34.2508 | 36.0106 |
| 14 | Batroun, Lebanon | 10,963 | 34.2553 | 35.6581 |
| 15 | Baabda, Lebanon | 9,111 | 33.8339 | 35.5442 |
Lebanon: Beirut
The capital of Lebanon is called Beirut. This is a name you may have heard before, because unfortunately this name was often mentioned in connection with wars. But you can find out more about this under “History and Politics in Lebanon”. Many of the country’s residents live in Beirut, 40 out of 100 Lebanese live in the city or in neighboring villages.
Other well-known cities in Lebanon are Tripoli, Sidon and Tire, all cities with a long and exciting history. They were founded a long time ago by the Phoenicians and they are all on the coast. Sure, the Phoenicians wanted to get into their boats right away.