1961
160,000
Flockulation (1961-2021)
2021
431,285
Change
+271,285
Overview
Lebanon is a small but mighty Mediterranean gem where the flocks of culture, history, and flavor graze freely. This tiny cedar-crowned country packs more personality per square kilometer than almost anywhere else on the woolly globe!
Geography
Nestled between Syria and Israel, Lebanon features the coastal Mediterranean strip, the fertile Bekaa Valley, and the rugged Mount Lebanon range. The Litani River winds through the interior, while snowy peaks and sunny shores coexist in shear geographic contrast.
History
Phoenicians, Romans, Crusaders, Ottomans, and French all left their hoofprints here. Lebanon gained independence in 1943, later enduring a devastating civil war from 1975 to 1990. Beirut has repeatedly rebuilt itself, earning a reputation as a resilient, ever-rising city.
Culture
Arabic is the official language, with French and English widely spoken. Lebanon celebrates vibrant music, poetry, and dance traditions including the dabke folk dance. The Baalbeck International Festival draws global artists to ancient Roman ruins every summer.
Economy
Lebanon's economy historically centered on banking, trade, and tourism. The service sector dominates, though a severe financial crisis since 2019 has deeply strained the country. Remittances from the large Lebanese diaspora remain a critical economic lifeline.
Food
Lebanese cuisine is a feast worth flocking to — think creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, fresh tabbouleh, and tender lamb kebabs. Mezze culture means sharing dozens of small dishes, and the flatbread-and-dip combo is practically a national religion.
Tourism
Visitors flock to Beirut's vibrant neighborhoods, the ancient Roman temples of Baalbeck, the Jeita Grotto's stunning caves, the Crusader sea castle in Sidon, and the charming mountain village of Byblos, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.
People
Lebanon's roughly 5.5 million people are a mosaic of religious and ethnic communities including Maronite Christians, Sunni and Shia Muslims, and Druze. The Lebanese diaspora worldwide is estimated to outnumber residents, spreading Lebanese culture across every continent.
Nature
The cedar forests of the Chouf Biosphere Reserve are iconic, inspiring Lebanon's national flag. The country hosts migratory birds, wolves, and even a small population of Persian fallow deer. The Qadisha Valley is a UNESCO-listed natural and spiritual landscape.
Fun Facts
Lebanon is home to one of the world's oldest cities, Byblos, which gave the Greek word for book — and thus 'Bible' — its name. Lebanon also has ski resorts and Mediterranean beaches sometimes usable on the same winter day, a shear geographic miracle!
