Overview of Republic of Lebanon
Overview of Republic of Lebanon Last updated on Wednesday 21st April 2010
Official name
Republic of Lebanon (Ajjamhouriyya Al-lubnaniyya)
Capital
Beirut
Location
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria
Population
Between 3 and 4 million. No official census has been taken since 1932.
Area
Total
Land
Water
Border countries
Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km
Coastline
Climate
Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon Mountains experience heavy winter snows
Language
Arabic is the official language, but French and English are widely spoken. Armenian is also spoken by a minority group.
Major religions
50% Muslim; 50% Christian
The largest Christian group are Maronites, followed by the Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholics, Armenian Orthodox, Armenian Catholics, Syrian Catholics, Chaldeans, Protestants and Syrian Orthodox. The largest Muslim group are the Shiite, followed by the Sunni and the Druze.
Electricity
Both 220 and 110 are used. Sockets take 2-pin round and flat plugs.
Weights and measures
Metric system
Business hours
Government offices: 8am-2pm Mon. to Sat; 8am-11am Friday
Banks: 8:30am-12: 30pm Mon. to Sat
Shops and commercial business: 9am-6pm Mon. to Sat. Many stores keep later hours and open on Sunday as well.
The Lebanese regard Sunday as the end of the week.
Important phone numbers
ambulance
Baabda:
05-924017/18/20
Jounieh:
09-830799 - 832260
Saida:
07-722732 - 725993
Tripoli:
06-602510 - 610861
Information
Beirut
120
police
Emergency Line:
112
Beirut:
01-425250 - 392750
Baabda
05-468922 - 468500
Jounieh
09-915967 - 911113
Saida
07-727151/5
Tripoli
06-430950/1/2/3
Zahle
08-803521 - 823000ed Cross Red Cross
ports
Beirut Information:
01-580211/2/3/4/5/6
Ports Public Security:
01-580746 - 581400
International dialing code
+961
Time zone
GMT + 2 hours