	ABOUT LEBANON
	Q- TELL ME ABOUT LEBANON!
	A- Lebanon (Arabic Lubnan), has a coastal area of which was settled more than 7,000 years ago. To help conduct their sea trade, the Phoenicians developed the first alphabet and colonized the western Mediterranean. In the early centuries ad, a largely Christian population and culture arose, which later blended with Islamic influences.
	Q- WHERE IS LEBANON LOCATED?
	A- Lebanon is a country on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Southwest Asia, It is a small country of only 10,452 sq km (4,036 sq mi); from north to south it extends 217 km (135 miles) and from east to west it spans 80 km (50 miles) at its widest point. The country is bounded by Syria on both the north and east and by Palestine at the South and the Mediterranean Sea from the East. The Island of Cyprus (Europe) is only 20 minutes by airplane.
	Q- HOW IS THE CLIMATE OF LEBANON?
	A- Lebanon is well known for its four seasons. It has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers, and cool, wet winters; although the climate varies somewhat across the landform belts. The coastal plain is subtropical, with 900 mm (35 in) of annual rainfall and a mean temperature in Beirut of 27c (80f) in summer, and 14c (57f) in winter. In the Lebanon Mountains, temperatures decrease and precipitation increase with elevation: Heavy winter snows linger well into summer, making the Lebanon Mountains more pleasant in the summer than the humid coast; higher altitudes receive as much as 1,275 mm (50 in) of annual precipitation.
	Q- WHAT IS THE POPULATION OF LEBANON?
	A- In the early centuries ad, a largely Christian population and culture arose, which later blended with Islamic influences. Lebanon has not taken an authentic census since 1932. The 1997 estimated population was 3,111,828, but this figure, provided by the Lebanese government, does not include Palestinian refugees and foreign workers. An independent 2003 estimate placed the population at 3,727,703, yielding a population density of 357 persons per sq km (924 PER SQ MI). Densities are highest along the coast and on the lower western slopes of the Lebanese Mountains.
	Q- WHAT LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN IN LEBANON?
	A- Arabic is the official language, but French is commonly used, especially in government and among the upper class. English is also widely used, particularly as the language of business and education. Most Armenians speak Armenian.
	Q- WHAT IS THE CURRENCY OF LEBANON?
	A- The unit of currency is the pound or lira, consisting of 100 piastres. 1,508L.L. Lebanese pounds equal U.S. $1 (2001/2005 average).
	Q- WHAT IS THE LOCAL TIME IN LEBANON?
	A- The local time in Lebanon is GMT +2
	Q- WHAT IS THE RELIGION IN LEBANON?
	A- The population in Lebanon is mainly Christians and Muslims. Every person's religion is encoded on a required, government-issued identification card. The government recognizes 18 distinct religious sects: 5 Muslim (Shia, Sunni, Druze, Ismailite, and Alawite), 11 Christian (4 Orthodox, 6 Catholic, and 1 Protestant), and Judaism.
	Q- WHAT ARE THE OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS IN LEBANON?
	A- The Official Holidays for 2005 in Lebanon are : New Year: 01 January Christmas Armenian Community: 06 January Eid El Adha (varies according to Muslim Calendar) : 20 January St Maron’s Day: 09 February Islamic New Year(varies according to Muslim Calendar) : 10 February Ashoura: 19 February Good Friday (Western): 25 March Easter(Western): 28 March Prophet’s Birthday: 21 April Good Friday (Eastern): 29 April Easter (Eastern): 01 May Labour Day: 01 May Martyrs’ Day: 06 May Virgin Mary Assumption: 15 August All Saints: 01 November Fitr (varies according to Muslim Calendar) : 04 November Lebanon’s Independence Day: 22 November UAE Independence Day: 02 December Christmas: 25 December