41º38N 72º13W, pop (2000e) 6900. Historic town in New London Co, EC Connecticut, USA; settled in late 1600s; town was incorporated in 1700 by uniting lands granted by the Connecticut Colony and areas purchased from the Pequot Indians; agricultural and farming region; Jonathan Trumbull House (173540); Jonathan Trumble (Jr) House Museum; Revolutionary War Office building; Dr William Beaumont House; Country Fair (Aug).
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الجمهورية اللبنانية Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Lubnāniyyah Lebanese Republic |
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Motto: Kūllūnā li-l-waṭan, li-l-'ula wa-l-'allam (Arabic) "We are all for our Nation, for our Emblem and Glory!" |
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| Anthem: Kulluna lil-watan lil 'ula lil-'alam | |||||
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Capital (largest city) |
Beirut 33°54′N 35°32′E |
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| Official language(s) | Arabic (formerly French) | ||||
| Government | Republic | ||||
| - President | Émile Lahoud | ||||
| - Prime Minister | Fouad Siniora | ||||
| Independence | |||||
| - Declared | November 26, 1941 | ||||
| - Recognised | November 22, 1943 | ||||
| Area | |||||
| - Total |
10,452 km² (166th) 4,035 sq mi |
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| - Water (%) | 1.6 | ||||
| Population | |||||
| - 2006 estimate | 3,874,050 (113th) | ||||
| - 2006 census | 3,874,050 | ||||
| - Density |
358/km² (26th) 948/sq mi |
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| GDP (PPP) | 2005 estimate | ||||
| - Total | $19.49 billion (103rd) | ||||
| - Per capita | 6000 (90th) | ||||
| HDI (2006) | 0.774 (medium) (78th) | ||||
| Currency | lira (LL) (LBP) | ||||
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) | ||||
| - Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) | ||||
| Internet TLD | .lb | ||||
| Calling code | +961 | ||||
Lebanon, officially the Lebanese Republic (Arabic: الجمهورية اللبنانية ), is a small, largely mountainous country in the Middle East, located at the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon is bordered by Syria to the north and east, and Israel to the south. The flag of Lebanon features the Lebanon Cedar in green against a white backdrop, with two horizontal red stripes on the top and bottom.
Until the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), the country enjoyed remarkable prosperity. Lebanon also attracted large numbers of tourists, to the point that the capital Beirut became widely referred to as the "Paris of the Middle East". By early 2006, a considerable degree of stability had been achieved throughout much of the country, Beirut's reconstruction was almost complete, and an increasing number of foreign tourists were pouring into Lebanon's resorts. As of September 2006, the Lebanese government has been acting out an early recovery plan aimed at reconstructing property destroyed by Israeli attacks in Beirut, Tyre, and other villages in southern Lebanon.
Etymology
The name Lebanon ("Lubnan" in standard Arabic;
In British English, the country is sometimes referred to with the definite article as "the Lebanon", like the Sudan, the Ukraine, or The Gambia.
Geography and climate
A Middle Eastern country, Lebanon is bordered by the Mediterranean to the west with a 225 km coastline, by Syria to the east and north, and by Israel to the south.
Lebanon has a total area of 10,452 km² (4,035 mi²), making it the 178 Most of that area is mountainous terrain, except for the narrow coastline and the Beqaa Valley (an integral part of Lebanon's agriculture).
Lebanon has a moderate Mediterranean climate. Although most of Lebanon receives a relatively large amount of rainfall annually (compared to its arid surroundings), certain areas in north-eastern Lebanon receive little rainfall.
Administrative divisions
See also: Governorates of Lebanon and Districts of LebanonLebanon is divided into six governorates (mohafazat, singular mohafazah), which are further subdivided into twenty-five districts (aqdya, singular: qadaa). The governorates and their respective districts are listed below:
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Beirut Governorate
The Beirut Governorate is not divided into districts and is limited to the city of Beirut. |
Nabatiyeh Governorate (Jabal Amel) - 4 districts Nabatyeh Hasbyya Marjeyoun Bint Jbeil |
| Beqaa Governorate - 5 districts Hermel Baalbek Zahle Western Beqaa (al-Beqaa al-Gharbi) Rashaya | North Governorate (al-Shamal) - 7 districts Akkar Tripoli Zgharta Bsharri Batroun Koura Miniyeh-Danniyeh |
| Mount Lebanon Governorate (Jabal Lubnan) - 6 districts Jbeil Keserwan Metn Baabda Aley Chouf | South Governorate (al-Janoub) - 3 districts Sidon Tyre (Sur) Jezzine |
Demographics
The population of Lebanon is composed of three predominant ethnic groups and religions: Muslims (Shi'ites, Sunnis, and Alawites), Druze, and Christians (mostly Maronites, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Melkite Greek Catholics).
No official census has been taken since 1932, reflecting the political sensitivity in Lebanon over confessional (religious) balance.
The number of those inhabiting Lebanon proper is estimated at 3.8 million.
About 390,000 Palestinian refugees have registered in Lebanon with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) since 1948. It is not only impossible for them to own properties, but until 2005 there were an estimated 46 jobs that they were not allowed to practice in Lebanon.
The urban population, concentrated mainly in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, is noted for its commercial enterprise. Lebanon has a high proportion of skilled labour comparable to most European nations and the highest among Arab countries.
A major ignominy of Lebanon's social system and laws is that when a child is born to one Lebanese parent, that Lebanese child receives Lebanese citizenship only if the father is Lebanese.
Economy
Sectors of the economy
Agriculture
Although ideally suited for agricultural activities (in terms of water availability and soil fertility), Lebanon does not have a large agricultural sector. Attracting a mere 12% of the total workforce, agriculture is the least popular economic sector in Lebanon.
Industry
Lebanon's lack of industry raw material and complete dependency on Arab countries for oil has made it difficult for the Lebanese to engage in significant industrial activity. In 2004, industry ranked second in workforce, with 26% of the Lebanese working population, and also second in GDP contribution, with 21% of Lebanon's GDP.
Services and commerce
A combination of beautiful climate and many historic landmarks and World Heritage Sites has continually attracted large numbers of tourists to Lebanon annually, in spite of its political instability. In addition, Lebanon's strict financial secrecy and capitalist economy—unique in its area—have given it significant economic status among Arab countries.
Historical development
The 1975-1990 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepôt and banking hub.
Until the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war, Lebanon's economy witnessed excellent growth, with bank assets reaching over 70 billion dollars. Even though Lebanon was down 10% in the tourism sector in 2005, more than 1.2 million tourists visited Lebanon that year.
The onset of the 2006 July-August war resulted in severe damage to Lebanon's fragile economy, especially the tourism sector.
Beirut International airport re-opened in September 2006 and the efforts to revive the Lebanese economy have since been proceeding at a slow pace. Major contributors to the reconstruction of Lebanon include Saudi Arabia (with 1.5 billion US dollars pledged), the European Union (with about $1 billion) and a few other Gulf countries with contributions of up to $800 million.
Education
History of education in Lebanon
The first two ministries to be established for education in Lebanon were the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and the Ministry of Vocational and Technical Training, to enrich the Lebanese educational system. Before the war, in 1975, Lebanon held one of the highest literacy rates in the Arab world. But ever since then, Lebanon has been in a state of chaos that has consumed its people, due to the civil war and foreign intervention that took place.
Schools in Lebanon
Lebanese schools are divided into three categories: private, public, and mid-private.
All Lebanese schools are required by the government to follow a prescribed curriculum designed by the Ministry of Education.
Public schools altogether amount to a total of 192 high schools and 1,125 elementary schools.
Curriculum in Lebanese schools
The main subjects taught are Mathematics, Sciences, History, Civics, Geography, Arabic, and French/English/both.
Universities and colleges
Following high school, Lebanese students may choose to study at a university, a college, an institute, or a "high technical school".
Lebanon has twenty-one universities of which the American University of Beirut (AUB) the Lebanese American University (LAU), the American University College of Science and Technology (AUST), the Notre Dame University (NDU), and the Lebanese International University (LIU) are internationally recognized. AUB was the first English university to open in Lebanon, while the first French university to open was the Université Saint-Joseph (USJ). The twenty-one universities, both public and private, largely operate in Arabic, French, or English as these are the most widely used languages in Lebanon.
At the English universities, students who have graduated from an American-style high school program enter at the freshman level to earn their baccalaureate equivalence from the Lebanese Ministry of Higher Education.
Culture
Lebanon has been a major crossroads of civilizations for millennia, so it is not surprising that this small country possesses an extraordinarily rich and vibrant culture. Most Lebanese are bilingual, speaking Arabic and French, this is why Lebanon is a member state of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie; The country is not only where Christianity intermingles with Islam, but Lebanon is also an Arab gateway to Europe and a European bridge to the Arab world.
Lebanon also hosts several prestigious universities, including the Lebanese University, the American University of Beirut, the Université Saint-Joseph, the American University College of Science and Technology and the Lebanese American University.
Several international festivals are held in Lebanon, featuring world-renowned artists and drawing crowds from Lebanon and abroad.
People
Lebanese people in Lebanon and all over the world have made substantial contributions to Lebanon and Humanity.
Politics
| Lebanon |
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This article is part of the series: |
| Constitution President Émile Lahoud Prime Minister Fouad Siniora Present government Parliament Speaker Political parties Elections Governorates Districts Foreign relations |
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Other countries • Politics Portal view • talk • edit |
Lebanon is a republic in which the three highest offices are reserved for members of specific religious groups:
the President must be a Maronite Christian the Prime Minister must be a Sunni Muslim, and the Speaker of the Parliament must be a Shi'a Muslim.This arrangement is part of the "National Pact" (Arabic: الميثاق الوطني , al Mithaq al Watani), an unwritten agreement which was established in 1943 during meetings between Lebanon's first president (a Maronite) and its first prime minister (a Sunni), although it was not formalized in the Lebanese Constitution until 1990, following the Taif Agreement. The pact included a promise by the Christians not to seek French protection and to accept Lebanon's "Arab face", and a Muslim promise to recognize independence and legitimacy of the Lebanese state in its 1920 boundaries and to renounce aspirations for union with Syria. Lebanon's continued existence and the fallout from subsequent civil wars continue to dominate politics in Lebanon. Today, Muslims are a majority, especially when taking the Palestinian presence to be a factor, but most sides in Lebanon are still satisfied with the equality.
Parliament of Lebanon Seat Allocation| Confession | Before Taif | After Taif |
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| Maronite | 30 | 34 |
| Greek Orthodox | 11 | 14 |
| Greek Catholic | 6 | 8 |
| Armenian Orthodox | 4 | 5 |
| Armenian Catholic | 1 | 1 |
| Protestant | 1 | 1 |
| Other Christians | 1 | 1 |
| Total Christians | 54 | 64 |
| Sunni | 20 | 27 |
| Shi'a | 19 | 27 |
| Druze | 6 | 8 |
| Alawite | 0 | 2 |
| Total Muslims | 45 | 64 |
| Total | 99 | 128 |
The Parliament elects the President of the republic to a six-year term. Currently, Lebanon's Parliament is split into roughly three alliances: the generally anti-Syrian March 14 Alliance, the pro-Syrian alliance consisting primarily of Hezbollah and Amal and the bloc of Maronite former General Michel Aoun, recently allied with Hezbollah.
Lebanon's judicial system is based on the Napoleonic Code.
History
Ancient history
Lebanon was the homeland of the Phoenicians, a seafaring people that spread across the Mediterranean before the rise of Alexander the Great.
French mandate and independence
Lebanon was part of the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years, but following World War I, the area became a part of the French Mandate of Syria. On September 1, 1920, France formed the State of Greater Lebanon as one of several ethnic enclaves within Syria. Lebanon was a largely Christian (mainly Maronite) enclave but also included areas containing many Muslims and Druzes.
Lebanon and Syria both gained independence in 1943, while France was occupied by Germany. General Henri Dentz, the Vichy High Commissioner for Syria and Lebanon, played a major role in the independence of both nations. The United Kingdom, fearing that Nazi Germany would gain full control of Lebanon and Syria by pressure on the weak Vichy government, sent its army into Syria and Lebanon.
After the fighting ended in Lebanon, General Charles de Gaulle visited the area. Under various political pressures from both inside and outside Lebanon, de Gaulle decided to recognize the independence of Lebanon. On November 26, 1941, General Georges Catroux announced that Lebanon would become independent under the authority of the Free French government. In the face of international pressure, the French released the government officials on November 22, 1943 and accepted the independence of Lebanon. Lebanon's unwritten National Pact of 1943 required that its president be Christian and its prime minister be Muslim.
1948 Arab-Israeli war
Lebanon's history since independence has been marked by alternating periods of political stability and turmoil (including a civil conflict in 1958) interspersed with prosperity built on Beirut's position as a regional center for finance and trade.
Five years after gaining independence, Lebanon entered into the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. After the defeat of the Arab Liberation Army in the Battle of Sasa, Lebanon accepted an armistice with Israel on March 23, 1949. Approximately 100,000 Palestinian refugees were living in Lebanon in 1949 as a direct result of the creation of Israel and the subsequent war.
Civil war and beyond
See also: 1982 Lebanon warIn 1975, civil war broke out in Lebanon. The war ended in 1990 with the signing of the Taif Agreement and Lebanon left in ruins.
During the civil war, Lebanon was twice invaded and occupied by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in 1978 and 1982. Israel remained in control of Southern Lebanon until 2000, when there was a general decision, led by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, to withdraw due to continuous guerrilla attacks executed by Hezbollah militants and a belief that Hezbollah activity would diminish and dissolve without the Israeli presence. The UN determined that the withdrawal of Israeli troops beyond the blue line was in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 425, but Lebanon claimed that Israel still occupied a disputed region called the "Shebaa Farms".
After the end of the civil war, Lebanon saw a period of relative calm until the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.
Recent events
Cedar Revolution
The international media coined the term "Cedar Revolution", but the Lebanese media also uses the term "Intifada (uprising) of Independence."
Assassinations
The event that triggered this outcry took place on February 14, 2005, when Lebanon was shaken by the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a car bomb explosion. Certain political figures, who later became the leaders of the Forces of March 14, accused Syria for the attack, due to its extensive military and intelligence presence in Lebanon, and to the public rift between Hariri and Damascus over the Syrian-backed constitutional amendment extending pro-Syrian President Lahoud's term in office.
Sadly the Hariri assassination only marked the beginning of a series of assassination attempts that led to the loss of many prominent Lebanese figures.
On September 25, 2005, there was a failed assassination attempt on a Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation news anchor, in which May Chidiac lost her left leg below the knee and received severe injuries to her left arm, later resulting in the amputation of her left hand.
Investigation
Distrustful of the impartiality of local Lebanese officials the UN initiated its own investigation into the assassination of al-Hariri, the findings of which were officially published on 20 October, 2005 in the Mehlis report. On the testimony of a witness of Syrian origin but a resident in Lebanon, who claims to have worked for the Syrian intelligence services in Lebanon the Mehlis report states that this vehicle was prepared at a military base in Syria and was driven across the border into Lebanon by a Syrian colonel from the Tenth Army Division.
In response, Hezbollah organized a large counter-demonstration of nearly 1 million people, staged on March 8 in Beirut, supporting Syria and accusing Israel and the United States of meddling in internal Lebanese affairs.
On March 14, 2005, one month after Hariri's assassination, throngs of people rallied in Martyrs' Square in Lebanon with around 1 million people,. Protestors marched demanding the truth about Hariri's murder and independence from Syrian presence in Lebanon.
Eventually, and under pressure from the international community, Syria withdrew its 15,000-strong army troops from Lebanon.
Elections
During the first parliamentary elections held after Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon in May 2005, the anti-Syrian coalition of Sunni Muslim, Druze and Christian parties led by Saad Hariri, son of assassinated ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, won a majority of seats in the new Parliament. They did not win the two-thirds majority required to force the resignation of Syrian-appointed President Lahoud voted for by Rafik Hariri parliamentary bloc, due to the unexpectedly strong showing of formerly exiled General Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement party in Mount Lebanon. Saad Hariri and Walid Jumblatt joined forces with the two staunchly pro-Syrian Shiite movements, Hezbollah and Amal, to secure major wins in the South, Beqaa, as well as the Baabda and Aley districts of Mount Lebanon.
After the elections, Hariri's Future Movement party, now the country's dominant political force, nominated Fouad Siniora, a former Finance Minister, to be Prime Minister.
On July 18, 2005, Lebanon elected a new parliament dominated by an anti-Syrian coalition.
2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict
Major events
On July 12, 2006 Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border operation, killing three others, and simultaneously launched a missile attack along the border. That night, after a failed rescue attempt that resulted in the deaths of five more Israeli soldiers, Israel launched a massive military operation on Lebanon, with the stated goal of eliminating Hezbollah and retrieving the captured soldiers. The operation quickly developed into "open war" as Israel continued to bomb large areas in Lebanon and Hezbollah launched thousands of rockets into Northern Israel.
However, Israel continued to impose a naval and aerial blockade on Lebanon, in an attempt to prevent arms from reaching Hezbollah.
Aftermath
The level of destruction that hit Lebanon has been described by the country's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora as "unimaginable."
Many countries have provided much-needed aid to Lebanon. Sea routes were used to bring in supplies in large quantities to help some of the displaced people living in schools and with host families in Lebanon.
In response to the growing international pressure for disarming Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, held a "victory celebration" in southern Beirut on September 22, 2006, which was attended by hundreds of thousands in a show of support to the continuing resistance.
Lebanon's current situation is highly fragile, as opposition to the standing government recently spiked in an uprising reminiscent of the Cedar Revolution and the events that precipitated the 1975 civil war. Hezbollah, currently the single most powerful militia in Lebanon, and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) have joined forces in demanding the immediate resignation of the current Saniora government as well as early elections, claiming that the current distribution of seats in both the Parliament and the Cabinet does not reflect the true will of the Lebanese people.
On November 19, 2006, in an attempt to diffuse some of the escalating fear of the country's relapsing into sectarian strife, Nasrallah expressly forbade supporters of the opposition from engaging in any conflict or responding to any provocations. ^ Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2000)."Withdrawal from Lebanon: Press Briefing by Foreign Minister David Levy". "UN Ups Estimate on War Caused Damage in Lebanon". A House of Many Mansions: The History of Lebanon Reconsidered. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1990.
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