Other Cities: Tripoli (275 000), Sidon (110 000), Tyre (Soor) (60
000), Zahleh (68 000).
Government:
Type: Parliamentary Republic.
Independence: 22 November 1943.
Geography:
Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria.
Area: 10,452 km² (4,015 sq. mi.).
Terrain: Narrow coastal plain backed by the Lebanon Mountains, the fertile Bekaa
Valley, and the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, which extend to the Syrian border.
Climate: Mediterranean.
People:
Nationality: Lebanese.
Population: 6.8 million (2019 UN est.)
GNI per capita
PPP: $ 6 205 (year)
Ethnic groups: Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%.
Religions: Christian (Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic,
Protestant, Armenian Apostolic, other), Muslim (Sunni, Shi'a, other), and Druze.
Languages: Arabic
(official), French, English, Armenian.
Literacy: 87%.
Natural resources: Limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a
water-deficit region, arable land.
Agriculture products: Citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes,
olives, tobacco; sheep, goats.
Industries: Banking, food processing, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral
and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metal fabricating.
Exports - commodities: jewelry, base metals, chemicals, consumer goods, fruit and vegetables, tobacco, construction minerals, electric power machinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper
Exports - partners: Switzerland 27%,
United Arab Emirates 15%,
South Korea 11%,
Saudi Arabia 7%,
Kuwait 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat and live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals.
Imports - partners: United Arab Emirates 11%,
China 10%,
Italy 8%,
Greece 8%,
Turkey 7%,
United States 6% (2019)
Currency: Lebanese pound (LBP)
