Lebanon is a small country in the Middle East, historically populated by the Phoenicians. It was one of the first nations to receive Christianity and Islam. France took control of the country after World War I and created a system of government to represent various religious groups. Lebanon experienced a period of prosperity in the 1960s, but it ended after the largest Lebanese bank went bankrupt and the Arab-Israeli war unleashed a massive influx of Palestinian refugees. Civil war lasted from 1975 to 1990, and the country is still recovering. Despite the security situation, Lebanon is becoming a popular tourist destination.
Lebanon is a small country in the Middle East. It is approximately 4,000 square miles (10,400 square km) in size, making it smaller than the US state of Connecticut. The country borders the Mediterranean, surrounded both to the north and east by Syria and bordered by Israel to the south.
Historically, the region was populated by the Phoenicians. From about 2700 BC to 450 BC these people sailed the waters of the Mediterranean and built a powerful seafaring civilization. Eventually the Persians, and then Alexander the Great, conquered the region, and for the next two millennia the history of Lebanon was one of conquest and revolt.
Lebanon was one of the first nations to receive Christianity and in the 20th century it was often referred to as the only predominantly Christian state in the Middle East, although this changed in the latter part of that century. The country was also one of the first nations to receive Islam, not long after the Prophet Muhammad’s death. It then became the site of many battles between Christians and Muslims during the Crusades, being part of the Kingdom of Jerusalem before being retaken by the Mamluks of Egypt. Subsequently, the area was controlled by the Ottomans, who maintained control through many tumultuous times until their empire collapsed at the end of World War I.
In the administrative period following the war, France took control of the country, drawing official borders to separate the region from surrounding Syria. It was at this time that the practice of creating a system of government that attempted to represent the various religious groups began. Originally the country’s president was to be a Christian, while the prime minister was to be a Sunni Muslim. Independence was achieved in 1943, during World War II, although troops remained until the end of the war.
In the 1960s Lebanon experienced a period of calm and enormous growth. Money poured into the country from neighboring Gulf states, flush with oil wealth. Because of huge banks and stability, Lebanon has sometimes been referred to as the Switzerland of the Middle East. Because of the beautiful beaches, the luxurious accommodations that arose with wealth, and relative stability, it was also often called the Paris of the Middle East, attracting huge numbers of tourists.
This period of prosperity ended after 1966, when the largest Lebanese bank went bankrupt. A year later the Arab-Israeli war unleashed a massive influx of Palestinian refugees. Not only has this put a strain on the nation’s infrastructure, but the militant actions taken by some segments of these refugees have resulted in retaliation by Israel, which has begun extensive bombing of southern Lebanon. Just as this began to die down, arguments between the Christian and Muslim populations started to flare up and in 1975, further exacerbated by Syria, Israel and the PLO, it all escalated into civil war. The war would last until 1990 and claim more than 100,000 lives. During this period Syria moved in large numbers of troops, who remained in the country until 2005. Israel also controlled a large segment of the country, claiming security concerns, until a massive withdrawal in 2000.
In 2005, the so-called Cedar Revolution, named after the cedar on the Lebanese flag, occurred following the assassination of the Prime Minister. Many thought the assassination was connected to Syria, and the revolution was largely a reaction to the Syrian presence. On 26 April it was reported that all Syrian troops had left the country.
Although Lebanon remains torn by the war of the last thirty years, it is beginning to recover. The basic infrastructure has been rebuilt, tourism and foreign investment are on the rise, and the country has rapidly become a popular tourist destination. However, the security situation remains tense since the Israeli-Hezbollah clashes in 2006, and it is highly recommended that anyone planning a trip check with their government for security advice. Flying is easy these days, with flights arriving into Beirut daily from many major airlines. Once there, the country offers a lot. Ancient ruins and living cities thousands of years old are excellent destinations, as are Beirut’s various ski resorts, beaches and incredible nightlife.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
