Lebanon became a state after World War I under French mandate in a land lapped by the Mediterranean with alpine peaks and lush valleys.
11 October 2007
Name: Lebanon
Location: Middle East bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria
Airport: Beirut International Airport at Khaldeh (7km from Beirut)
Population: 3.8 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Beirut
Area: 10,452 sq km (4,036 sq miles)
Major language: Arabic
Major religions: Islam, Christianity
Life expectancy: 70 years (men), 74 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Lebanese pound (or lira) = 100 piastres
Main exports: Foodstuffs and tobacco
GNI per capita: US $4,980 (World Bank, 2005)
Internet domain: .lb
International dialling code: +961
Time Zone: GMT + 2 hours in winter and +3 in summer
Climate: Mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers. Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows.
Entry: Visitors require a valid passport and a Lebanese visa.
Electricity: 110 or 220 volts