| Revision as of 01:03, 21 March 2008 view sourceVoABot II (talk | contribs)274,019 editsm BOT - Reverted edits by 58.174.181.77 {possible vandalism} to last version by 83.2.126.248.← Previous edit | Revision as of 01:25, 21 March 2008 view source 24.119.112.41 (talk) ←Replaced page with ''''''Bold text''MUSLIMS!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!''''Next edit → | ||
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| '''''Bold text''MUSLIMS!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!''' | |||
| {{otheruses}} | |||
| {{Infobox Country | |||
| |native_name = <big>{{lang|ar|الجمهورية,اللبنانية}}</big><br/>''Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Lubnāniyyah''</br>Lebanese Republic''|common_name = Lebanon | |||
| |image_flag = Flag of Lebanon.svg | |||
| |image_coat = Coat of Arms of Lebanon.svg | |||
| |national_motto = <big>{{unicode|كلنا للوطن للعلى للعلم}}</big>{{spaces|2}}<small>(])<br/>"All for country, for glory, and the flag!" | |||
| |image_map = LocationLebanon.svg | |||
| |national_anthem = ] | |||
| |official_languages = ] | |||
| |languages_type = Other common<br/>languages | |||
| |languages = ] and ] | |||
| |demonym = Lebanese | |||
| |capital = ] | |||
| |latd=33 |latm=54 |latNS=N |longd=35 |longm=32 |longEW=E | |||
| |largest_city = capital | |||
| |government_type = ] | |||
| |leader_title1 = ] | |||
| |leader_title2 = ] | |||
| |leader_name1 = ] (]'s term expired 11/23/07)</small> | |||
| |leader_name2 = ] | |||
| |area_km2 = 10,452 | |||
| |area_sq_mi = 4,035 <!--Do not remove per ]--> | |||
| |area_rank = 166th | |||
| |area_magnitude = 1 E10 | |||
| |percent_water = 1.6 | |||
| |population_estimate = 4,196,453 | |||
| |population_estimate_year = February 2008 | |||
| |population_estimate_rank = 125th | |||
| |population_density_km2 = 358 | |||
| |population_density_sq_mi = 948 <!--Do not remove per ]--> | |||
| |population_density_rank = 26th | |||
| |GDP_PPP_year = 2006 | |||
| |GDP_PPP = $21.45 billion | |||
| |GDP_PPP_rank = 103rd | |||
| |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $6,100 | |||
| |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 90th | |||
| |HDI_year = 2007 | |||
| |HDI = {{decrease}} 0.772 | |||
| |HDI_rank = 88th | |||
| |HDI_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font> | |||
| |FSI = 92.4 {{increase}} 11.9 | |||
| |FSI_year = 2007 | |||
| |FSI_rank = 28th | |||
| |FSI_category = <font color="#FF0000">Alert</font> | |||
| |sovereignty_type = ] | |||
| |sovereignty_note = from ]-administered ] mandate | |||
| |established_event1 = Declared | |||
| |established_date1 = ], ] | |||
| |established_event2 = Recognized | |||
| |established_date2 = ], ] | |||
| |currency = ] (]) | |||
| |currency_code = LBP | |||
| |time_zone = ] | |||
| |utc_offset = +2 | |||
| |time_zone_DST = ] | |||
| |utc_offset_DST = +3 | |||
| |cctld = ] | |||
| |calling_code = 961 | |||
| |footnotes = | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Lebanon''' ({{IPAEng|ˈlɛbənɒn}}) (]: {{lang|ar|لبنان}} ''Lubnān''), officially the '''Republic of Lebanon'''<ref>According to the website of the Embassy of Lebanon in the U.S. and the website of the Lebanese presidency</ref> or '''Lebanese Republic'''<ref> According to U.S. government sources such as the CIA and State Department country guides</ref> ({{lang|ar|الجمهورية اللبنانية}}), is a small, predominantly mountainous country in ], on the eastern shore of the ]. It is bordered by ] to the north and east, and ] to the south. Due to its ]arian diversity, Lebanon evolved a peculiar political system, known as ], based on a community-based ] mechanism.<ref>Countries Quest. Jonathan Trumbull was born here . Retrieved ], ].</ref> It was created when the ruling French mandatory powers expanded the borders of the former Maronite Christian autonomous Ottoman Mount Lebanon district. | |||
| The ] features a ] in green against a white backdrop, ] by two horizontal red stripes along the top and bottom. This is a reference to the famous cedars of Lebanon, that were mentioned in the verses of the ]/], mostly in ] and the ]. | |||
| Until the ] (1975-1990), the country enjoyed relative calm and prosperity, driven by the tourism, agriculture, and banking sectors of the economy. <ref>U.S. Department of State. Retrieved December 2, 2006.</ref> It is considered the banking capital of the ] and was widely known as the "] of the East" due to its financial power. Lebanon also attracted large numbers of tourists to the point that the capital ] became widely referred to as the "] of the East". | |||
| Immediately following the end of the war, there were extensive efforts to revive the economy and rebuild national infrastructure.<ref>Canadian International Development Agency. . Retrieved December 2, 2006.</ref> By early 2006, a considerable degree of stability had been achieved throughout much of the country, Beirut's reconstruction was almost complete,<ref>Center for the Study of the Built Environment. . Retrieved ], ].</ref> and an increasing number of foreign tourists were pouring into Lebanon's resorts.<ref name="tourism"/> Israeli air attacks during the ] caused major damage to ] from ], ] until a ceasefire went into effect on ], ]. <ref>www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE18/007/2006</ref> | |||
| == Etymology == | |||
| ] | |||
| A widespread explanation links the name Lebanon ("Lubnān" in standard Arabic; "Lebnén" in local dialect) to the ] and ] root "LBN", which is linked to several closely-related meanings in various languages, such as "white" and "milk".<ref>Joumana Medlej. . Retrieved ], ].</ref> "White" could be regarded as reference to the snow-capped ].<ref name="name-origin">Antoine Harb (2004). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> Occurrences of the name have been found in three of the twelve tablets of the ] (2900 BC), the texts of the library of ] (2400 BC), and 71 times in the ].<ref name="name-origin"/><ref>Christian World News. . Retrieved ], ].</ref><ref>Roger Yazbeck. . Retrieved ], ].</ref> The name is even recorded in ] as ''Rmnn'', where ''r'' stood for Phoenician ''l''.<ref>Ross, Kelley L. "The Pronunciation of Ancient Egyptian". ''The Proceedings of the Friesian School, Fourth Series''. .</ref> | |||
| ==History== | |||
| {{main|History of Lebanon}} | |||
| {{History of the Levant}} | |||
| ], king of ], now in the ]]] | |||
| ] | |||
| ===Ancient history=== | |||
| {{main|History of ancient Lebanon}} | |||
| The earliest known settlements in Lebanon date back to earlier than 5000 BC. Archaeologists have discovered in ], which is considered to be the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the world,<ref>. Retrieved July 31, 2007.</ref> remnants of prehistoric huts with crushed limestone floors, primitive weapons, and burial jars which are evidence of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic fishing communities who lived on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea over 7,436 years ago. | |||
| Lebanon was the homeland of the ], a seafaring people that spread across the Mediterranean before the rise of ].<ref>About.com (1987).. Retrieved ], ].</ref> After two centuries of Persian rule, Macedonian ruler ] attacked and burned ], the most prominent Phoenician city. Throughout the subsequent centuries leading up to recent times, the country became part of numerous succeeding empires, among them ], ]ian, ], ], ], ], and ]. | |||
| ] | |||
| ===French mandate and independence=== | |||
| {{main|French Mandate of Lebanon}} | |||
| Lebanon was part of the ] for over 400 years, in a region known as ],<ref>U.S. Library of Congress. . Retrieved ], ].</ref> until 1918 when the area became a part of the ] following ]. On ], ], France formed the State of Greater Lebanon as one of several ethnic enclaves within ].<ref>Chorbishop Seely Beggiani (2005). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> Lebanon was a largely ] (mainly ]) enclave but also included areas containing many ] and ]. On ], ], France formed the Lebanese Republic. The Republic was afterward a separate entity from Syria but still administered under the French Mandate of Syria. | |||
| Lebanon gained independence in 1943, while France was occupied by ].<ref>Lebanese Global Information Center. . Retrieved ], ].</ref> General ], the ] ] for Syria and Lebanon, played a major role in the independence of the nation. The Vichy authorities in 1941 allowed Germany to move aircraft and supplies through ] to ] where they were used against British forces. The ], fearing that Nazi Germany would gain full control of Lebanon and ] by pressure on the weak Vichy government, sent its army into Syria and Lebanon. | |||
| ] (1920-1943)]] | |||
| After the fighting ended in Lebanon, General ] visited the area. Under various political pressures from both inside and outside Lebanon, de Gaulle decided to recognize the independence of Lebanon. On ], ] General Georges Catroux announced that Lebanon would become independent under the authority of the ] government. Elections were held in 1943 and on ], ] the new Lebanese government unilaterally abolished the mandate. The French reacted by throwing the new government into prison. In the face of international pressure, the French released the government officials on ], ] and accepted the independence of Lebanon. | |||
| The ] kept the region under control until the end of ]. The last French troops withdrew in 1946. Lebanon's unwritten ] of 1943 required that its ] be Christian and its ] be Muslim. | |||
| Lebanon's history since independence has been marked by alternating periods of political stability and turmoil (including a ]) interspersed with prosperity built on ] position as a regional center for finance and trade. | |||
| === 1948 Arab-Israeli war === | |||
| {{main|1948 Arab-Israeli war}} | |||
| Five years after gaining independence, Lebanon reluctantly joined the Arab League but never invaded ]<ref name="karsh">Karsh, Efraim (2002). The Arab-Israeli Conflict. The Palestine War 1948. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1841763721, p. 27</ref> during the ]. It took over logistical support of the ] after it found itself cut off from its bases in Syria while going on an attack on the newly-proclaimed ].<ref name="karsh"/> After the defeat of the Arab Liberation Army in ],<ref>Avi Shlaim. . Retrieved ], ].</ref> Lebanon accepted an ] with Israel on ], ]. Approximately 100,000 ] were living in Lebanon in 1949 as a result of the creation of Israel and the subsequent war.<ref>]. . Retrieved ], ].</ref> The Lebanese-Israeli border remained closed, but quiet, until after the ] in 1967. | |||
| === Civil war and beyond === | |||
| {{main|Lebanese civil war}} | |||
| {{see also|1982 Lebanon War}} | |||
| {{see also|List of attacks in Lebanon}} | |||
| In 1975, civil war broke out in Lebanon. The ] lasted fifteen years, devastating the country's economy, and resulting in the massive loss of human life and property. It is estimated that 150,000 people were killed and another 200,000 maimed.<ref>''Time'' (1991). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> The war ended in 1990 with the signing of the ] and parts of Lebanon were left in ruins.<ref>Council on Foreign Relations (2006). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| During the civil war, the ] used Lebanon to launch attacks against Israel. Lebanon was twice invaded and occupied by the ] (IDF) in 1978 and 1982,<ref>People's Daily (2000). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> the PLO expelled in the second invasion. Israel remained in control of Southern Lebanon until 2000, when there was a general decision, led by Israeli Prime Minister ], to withdraw due to continuous guerrilla attacks executed by ] militants and a belief that Hezbollah activity would diminish and dissolve without the Israeli presence.<ref>Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2000).. Retrieved ], ].</ref> The UN determined that the withdrawal of Israeli troops beyond the ] was in accordance with ], although a border region called the ] is still disputed. Hezbollah declared that it would not stop its operations against Israel until this area was liberated.<ref>, ] online, Retrieved ], ]. </ref><!-- Commenting these out until we can get some clarification – Neither reference says anything about the previous statement. --> | |||
| ===Recent history=== | |||
| On ], ], former Prime Minister ] was assassinated in a ] explosion near the ] in Beirut.<ref>Hariri.info (2005). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> Leaders of the ] accused ] of the attack<ref name="Syria-assassin">CBC News Indepth (2006). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> due to its extensive military and intelligence presence in Lebanon, and the public rift between Hariri and ] over the Syrian-backed constitutional amendment extending pro-Syrian President ] term in office. Others, namely the ] and Syrian officials, claimed that the assassination may have been executed by the American ] or the Israeli ] in an attempt to destabilize the country.<ref> See , includes several statements and sources.</ref> | |||
| This incident triggered a series of demonstrations, known as ], that demanded the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon and the establishment of an international commission to investigate the assassination. The ] unanimously adopted Resolution 1595 on ], ], which called for an investigation into the assassination of Rafik Hariri.<ref>.</ref> The findings of the investigation were officially published on ], ] in the ].<ref>] (2005). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> Eventually, and under pressure from the international community, Syria began withdrawing its 15,000-strong army troops from Lebanon.<ref>BBC News (2005). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> By ], ], all uniformed Syrian soldiers had already crossed the border back to Syria.<ref>CNN (2005). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> The Hariri assassination marked the beginning of a series of assassination attempts that led to the loss of many prominent Lebanese figures. | |||
| On ], ], Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and that led to a conflict, known in Lebanon as ], that lasted until a ]-brokered ] went into effect on ] ]. | |||
| ==Geography and climate== | |||
| {{main|Geography of Lebanon}} | |||
| ] and ] mountain ranges]] | |||
| Lebanon is located in ]. It is bordered by the ] to the west along a 225 km coastline, by ] to the east and north, and by Israel to the south. The Lebanon-Syria border stretches for {{km to mi|375|precision=0}} and the Lebanon-Israel border for {{km to mi|79|precision=0}}. The border with the Israeli-occupied ] in Syria is disputed by Lebanon in a small area called ], but the ] has been demarcated by the ].<ref>Telegraph (2000) . Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| Most of Lebanon's area is mountainous terrain,<ref>Encyclopædia Britannica. . Retrieved ], ].</ref> except for the narrow coastline and the ] Valley, which plays an integral role in Lebanon's agriculture. | |||
| Lebanon has a moderate ]. In coastal areas, winters are generally cool and rainy whilst summers are hot and humid. In more elevated areas, temperatures usually drop below freezing during the winter with frequent, sometimes heavy, snow; summers, on the other hand, are warm and dry.<ref>(Bonechi et al.) (2004) ''Golden Book Lebanon'', p. 3, Florence, Italy: Casa Editrice Bonechi. ISBN 88-476-1489-9</ref> 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 because the high peaks of the western mountain front block much of the rain clouds that originate over the Mediterranean Sea.<ref>Country Studies US. . Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| In ancient times, Lebanon housed large forests of the ], which now serve as the country's national emblem.<ref name="cedar">Blue Planet Biomes. . Retrieved ], ].</ref> However, centuries of trading cedar trees, used by ancient ]s for boats, and the absence of any efforts to replant them have depleted Lebanon's once-flourishing cedar forests.<ref name="cedar" /> | |||
| == Governorates and districts == | |||
| {{seealso|Governorates of Lebanon|Districts of Lebanon}} | |||
| Lebanon is divided into six ]s (''mohaafazaat'', ] محافزات —singular '']'', ] محافزة) which are further subdivided into twenty-five ] (''aqdya''—singular: '']'').<ref>USAID Lebanon. . Retrieved ], ].</ref> The districts themselves are also divided into several municipalities, each enclosing a group of cities or villages. The governorates and their respective districts are listed below: | |||
| {{Lebanon Labelled Map|float=right}} | |||
| <table cellpadding="10px"> | |||
| <td valign="top">'''] | |||
| ''The Beirut Governorate is not divided into districts and is limited to the city of ].'' | |||
| </td> | |||
| <td valign="top">''']''' (''Jabal Amel'') - 4 districts | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| </td></tr><tr><td valign="top">''']''' - 5 districts | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] (''al-Beqaa al-Gharbi'') | |||
| *] | |||
| </td><td valign="top">''']''' (''al-Shamal'') - 7 districts | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| </td></tr><tr><td valign="top">''']''' (''Jabal Lubnan'') - 6 districts | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] (''Jbeil'') | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| </td><td valign="top">''']''' (''al-Janoub'') - 3 districts | |||
| *] | |||
| *] (''Saida'') | |||
| *] (''Sur'') | |||
| </td></tr></table> | |||
| ==Demographics and religion== | |||
| {{main|Demographics of Lebanon}} | |||
| No official census has been taken since 1932, reflecting the political sensitivity in Lebanon over confessional (i.e. religious) balance. The 2007 ], Lebanon entry, gives the following distribution: Muslim 58.7%, Christian 40% , other 1.3% | |||
| note: 17 religious sects recognized<ref name="cia">], the World Factbook (2006). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> Lebanon has a population of 80,000 ]. The numbers per religion vary from time to time, but mostly the Shias are nearly neck and neck with the Sunnis and the ] the largest amongst the Christians. <ref></ref>. | |||
| The number of those inhabiting Lebanon proper was estimated at 3,925,502 in July 2007.<ref name="cia" /> There are approximately 18 million people of Lebanese descent spread all over the world, ] having the largest Lebanese community abroad (8 Million).<ref>Marina Sarruf (2006). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and the ] also have large Lebanese communities. | |||
| A total of 394,532 ] refugees, almost entirely Sunni Muslims, have registered in Lebanon with the ] (UNRWA) since 1948.<ref name="unrwa">] (], ]). These continue to face all sorts of discrimination and exclusion largely due to their religious identity.. Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| ==Economy== | |||
| {{main|Economy of Lebanon}} | |||
| The urban population in Lebanon is noted for its commercial enterprise.<ref> U.S. Department of State (1994) . Retrieved ], ].</ref> Over the course of time, emigration has yielded Lebanese "commercial networks" throughout the world.<ref>Background Note: Lebanon Retrieved ], ].</ref> Lebanon has a high proportion of skilled labour comparable to most European nations and the highest among Arabic speaking countries.<ref>].. Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| Although Lebanon is ideally suited for ] activities in terms of water availability and ], as it possesses the highest proportion of cultivable land in the Arabic speaking world,<ref name="agriculture>Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, U.S.A. 1986-1988. . Retrieved ], ].</ref> it does not have a large agricultural sector. Attracting a mere 12% of the total ],<ref name="workforce">Jean Hayek et al, 1999. The Structure, Properties, and Main Foundations of the Lebanese Economy. In ''The Scientific Series in Geography, Grade 11'', 110-114. Beirut: Dar Habib.</ref> agriculture is the least popular economic sector in Lebanon. It contributes approximately 11.7% of the country's ], also placing it in the lowest rank compared to other economic sectors. Major produce include apples, peaches, oranges, and lemons.<ref name="GDP">] (2005). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| Lebanon's lack of ] for ] and its complete dependency on Arab countries for ] have made it difficult for the Lebanese to engage in significant ]. As such, industry in Lebanon is mainly limited to small businesses concerned with reassembling and packaging imported parts. In 2004, industry ranked second in workforce, with 26% of the Lebanese working population,<ref name="workforce"/> and second in GDP contribution, with 21% of Lebanon's GDP.<ref name="GDP"/> | |||
| ] is a ]]] | |||
| A combination of beautiful climate, many historic landmarks and ] continues to attract large numbers of tourists to Lebanon annually, in spite of its political instability. In addition, Lebanon's strict ] and ] economy—unique in its area—have given it significant economic status among Arab countries. The thriving ] and banking activities have naturally made the services sector the most important pillar of the Lebanese economy. The majority of the Lebanese workforce (nearly 65%)<ref name="workforce"/> have preferred employment in the services sector, as a result of the abundant job opportunities and large paychecks. The GDP contribution, accordingly, is very large and amounts to roughly 67.3% of the annual Lebanese GDP.<ref name="GDP"/> | |||
| The economy's dependence on services has always been an issue of great criticism and concern, as it leaves the country subject to the instability of this sector and the vagaries of ]. | |||
| The 1975-1990 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic ], cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a ] ] and ]ing hub.<ref name="cia" /> The subsequent period of relative peace enabled the central government to restore control in ], begin collecting taxes, and regain access to key port and government facilities. Economic recovery has been helped by a financially sound ] system and resilient small- and medium-scale manufacturers, with family remittances, banking services, manufactured and farm ]s, and international aid as the main sources of foreign exchange.<ref name="cia2001">. Retrieved ]-].</ref> | |||
| Until the ], Lebanon's economy witnessed excellent growth, with bank assets reaching over 75 billion dollars.<ref name="economy-stat">Bank Audi (2006). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> By the end of the first half of 2006, the influx of tourists to Lebanon had already registered a 49.3% increase over 2005 figures.<ref name="economy-stat" /> Market ] was also at an all time high, estimated at $10.9 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2006, just weeks before the fighting started.<ref name="economy-stat"> | |||
| The war severely damaged Lebanon's fragile economy, especially the tourism sector. According to a preliminary report published by the Lebanese ] on August 30, 2006, a major economic decline was expected as a result of the fighting.<ref>Lebanese Ministry of Finance (2006).. Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| Beirut's airport, Rafiq Hariri 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 ] (with $US 1.5 billion pledged),<ref>Cyprus News (2006). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> the ] (with about $1 billion)<ref>Lebanon Under Siege (2006). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> and a few other Gulf countries with contributions of up to $800 million.<ref>Ain-Al-Yaqeen (2006). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| ==Education== | |||
| ===Schools=== | |||
| All Lebanese schools are required to follow a prescribed curriculum designed by the Ministry of Education. Private schools, approximately 1,400 in all,<ref>Samidoun (2006). . Retrieved December 9, 2006.</ref> may also add more courses to their curriculum with approval from the Ministry of Education. The main subjects taught are mathematics, sciences, history, civics, geography, Arabic, and either French or English or both. The subjects gradually increase in difficulty and in number. Students in Grade 11, for example, usually study up to eighteen different subjects. | |||
| The government introduces a mild form of selectivity into the curriculum by giving 11<sup>th</sup> graders choice between two "concentrations": sciences, humanities, and 12<sup>th</sup> graders choose between four concentrations: life sciences, general sciences, sociology and economics, and humanities and literature. The choices in concentration do not include major changes in the number of subjects taken (if at all). However, subjects that fall out of the concentration are given less weight in grading and are less rigorous, while subjects that fall within the concentration are more challenging and contribute significantly to the final grade. | |||
| Students go through three academic phases: | |||
| * ]: Six years. | |||
| * Intermediate: Three years; students earn Intermediate Certification (Lebanese ''Brevet'') at completion. | |||
| * ]: three years, students who pass official exams earn a Baccalaureate Certificate (''Baccalauréat Libanais'') in the concentration they chose in 12th grade. Students studying at French-system schools may also graduate with a French Baccalaureate that is considered equivalent to the Lebanese Baccalaureate. | |||
| These three phases are provided free to all students and the first eight years are, by law, compulsory.<ref>US Department of State (2005). . Retrieved December 15, 2006.</ref> Nevertheless, this requirement currently falls short of being fully enforced. | |||
| ===Higher education=== | |||
| Following secondary school, Lebanese students may choose to study at a university, a college, or a vocational training institute. The number of years to complete each program varies. While the Lebanese educational system offer a very high quality and international class of education, the local employment market lacks of enough opportunities, thus encouraging many of the young educated to travel abroad. | |||
| Lebanon has 41 nationally-accredited universities, several of which are internationally recognized.<ref>Infopro Management. . Retrieved January 30, 2007.</ref><ref>{{ar icon}}Lebanese Directory of Higher Education. . Retrieved January 30, 2007.</ref> The ] (AUB) and the ] (USJ) were the first Anglophone and the first Francophone universities to open in Lebanon respectively.<ref>eIFL.net Regional Workshop (2005). . Retrieved December 14, 2006.</ref><ref>Université Saint-Joseph. . Retrieved December 8, 2006.</ref> The forty-one universities, both public and private, largely operate in French, or English as these are the most widely used foreign languages in Lebanon.<ref>Yalla!. . Retrieved December 15, 2006.</ref> | |||
| At the English universities, students who have graduated from an American-style high school program enter at the ] level to earn their baccalaureate equivalence from the Lebanese Ministry of Higher Education. This qualifies them to continue studying at the higher levels. Such students are required to have already taken the ] and the ] upon applying to college, in lieu of the official exams. On the other hand, students who have graduated from a school that follows the Lebanese educational system are directly admitted to the ] year. These students are still required to take the SAT I, but not the SAT II. The University ] for the first stage are the ] or the ], for the second stage are the ] or the ] and the third stage is the ]. | |||
| The ] assigned Lebanon an ] of 0.84 in 2005.<ref name=undp>{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2005/pdf/HDR05_HDI.pdf |title=Human development indicators |accessdate=2006-11-16 |format=PDF |work=United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Reports}}</ref> | |||
| ==Language== | |||
| Lebanon's official language is ] per article 11 of the Constitution.<ref>. Retrieved December 16, 2007.</ref> The law allows ] to be used for some official purposes, and French is therefore considered as an administrative and national language. ] and ] are also widely spoken and understood. The majority of Lebanese people speak ], ] and ] fluently. | |||
| The ] variant of Arabic used in Lebanon is one part of a grouping of dialects called ], differing in a way from the literary ], owing its historical blend to Arabic, Turkish, and the Syriac dialect of Aramaic. Lebanese people usually tend to mix a variant of ] and ] when speaking ]. In recent years, it has become increasingly common for Lebanese people, especially the better educated, to converse in a combination of Arabic, English and French whereby the same sentence would include words or expressions from the different languages. | |||
| Regional influences and occupations throughout the centuries could possibly explain why Lebanese people speak so many languages, even incorporating them into their own. In addition, due to the importance of the Lebanese diaspora and business interests of Lebanese worldwide, it has always been important to master languages other than Arabic. | |||
| In the Christian communities, until the Lebanese Civil War, it was seen as a mark of status to not speak Arabic.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} The reason for this could possibly be that Christians generally were educated in many of the French educational institutions and so a general Francophonic class emerged in their communities. English has been making significant headway in the past two decades. However, as the Muslim population increased in previously Christian areas, Arabic in public is omnipresent, not merely commonplace.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} | |||
| ==Culture== | |||
| {{main|Culture of Lebanon}} | |||
| ===Overview=== | |||
| ] and its colonies.]]].]] | |||
| The area including modern Lebanon has been home to various civilizations and cultures for thousands of years. Originally home to the ], and then subsequently conquered and occupied by the ], the ], the ], the ], the ], the ] and most recently the ], Lebanese culture has over the millennia evolved by borrowing from all of these groups. Lebanon's diverse population, composed of different ethnic and religious groups, has further contributed to the country's lively festivals, highly successful musical styles and literature as well as their rich cuisine, and numerous violent clashes amongst different religious and ethnic groups. When compared to the rest of the ], Lebanese society as a whole is well educated, and as of 2003 87.4% of the population was literate.<ref>Lebanon CIA World Fact Book. . ], ].</ref> Lebanese society is very modern and similar to certain cultures of ] Europe. It is often considered to serve as the European gateway to Western Asia as well as the Asian gateway to the Western World.<ref>Lebanon Culture. . ], ].</ref> | |||
| ===Cuisine=== | |||
| {{main|Lebanese Cuisine}} | |||
| The Lebanese Cuisine is considered to be a ] basically Levantine Arabic delicacy consisting of a variety of fresh ], ]s and ]s all seasoned with a flavorsome combination of herbs and spices. One of the most world known Lebanese specialties is called the Maza, also written "]", which is a selection of appetisers: ], ]s, Labanee, or small portions also known as ''muqabbilat'' (Arabic for starters). | |||
| As with most ]s, Lebanese cuisine is considered to be a very balanced, healthy diet. | |||
| The cuisine of Lebanon is the epitome of the Mediterranean diet. It includes an abundance of starches, fruits, vegetables, fresh fish and seafood; animal fats are consumed sparingly. Poultry is eaten more often than red meat, and when red meat is eaten it is usually lamb. It also includes copious amounts of garlic and olive oil-nary a meal goes by in Lebanon that does not include these two ingredients. Most often foods are either grilled, baked or sauted in olive oil; butter or cream is rarely used other than in a few desserts. Vegetables are often eaten raw or pickled as well as cooked. While the cuisine of Lebanon doesn't boast an entire repertoire of sauces, it focuses on herbs, spices and the freshness of ingredients; the assortment of dishes and combinations are almost limitless. The meals are full of robust, earthy flavors and, like most Mediterranean countries, much of what the Lebanese eat is dictated by the seasons. | |||
| Food and music overlap greatly with those of Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Greece, and Turkey (all were Ottoman provinces for 400 years.) | |||
| ===Creative arts=== | |||
| {{main|Music of Lebanon}} | |||
| Lebanese music is known around the world for its soothing rhythms and oriental beats. Traditional and folk music are extremely popular as are western rhythms. | |||
| One of the most well-known Lebanese singers is ]; her songs are broadcast every morning on most radio stations and many TV channels, both in Lebanon and the Arab world in general. Other prominent artists include ], composer and ] player ], ], ], and the important nun and singer Sister ], founder of The Ensemble of the Peace. | |||
| Some Lebanese artists, such as ] and ], remain loyal to a traditional type of music known as 'jabali' ("from the mountains"), while other artists incorporate Western style into their songs. Lebanese artists are perhaps the most popular in the Arab world, alongside Egyptian performers, and the star scene includes prominent figures like ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. In addition, the lead guitarist from ], Jack Barakat, was born in Lebanon. | |||
| ===Sports=== | |||
| Because of Lebanon's unique geography, both summer and winter sports thrive in the country. In fact, in autumn and spring it is sometimes possible to engage in both during the same, skiing in the morning and swimming in the ] during the afternoon. At the competitive level, ], ] are among Lebanon's most popular sports. In recent years, Lebanon has hosted the ] and the ]; the country will host the Winter ] in 2009. To meet the needs of these international competitions, Lebanon maintains state-of-the-art athletic facilities, which in turn encourage local sporting activities. Lebanon sends athletes to both the winter and summer games of the ] and ]. The Lebanese national soccer team has progressed past the first round of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2010 by eliminating India, 6-3 on aggregate. ] is also popular in Lebanon. The ] nearly qualified for the ], but were narrowly beaten by ] in their final game. | |||
| Lebanon boasts six ] resorts, with slopes suitable for skiers and ] of all ages and levels of experience. Off-slope, there are many opportunities for ], ], and ]. In the summer, skilifts can be used to access some of Lebanon's best ] trails, with panoramic views stretching as far as ] to the west and ] to the east on clear days. ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] are among the other common leisure sports in Lebanon. Adventure and extreme sports are also possible throughout the country. The ] is held every fall, drawing top runners from Lebanon and abroad. Shorter races are also held for youth and less serious competitors. Race day is promoted as a fun, family event, and it has become a tradition for many to participate in costumes or outlandish clothing. | |||
| ===Arts and literature=== | |||
| Lebanon's contribution to the Arab Rennaissance during the middle of the 19th century is immense. This flowering allowed for the modernisation of the Arabic language moving it away from its Koranic classical dictums, and allowing for the creation and adaptation of previously unknown terms/ words as Al-Watan (the nation), Al-Watania (Nationalism). | |||
| The first theatre production in the Arab world was performed at the Al-Kahzen household in 1862, a Lebanese | |||
| aristocratic family who were also representatives of France. | |||
| By the turn of the 20th century, Beirut was vying with Cairo as the major centre for modern Arab thought, with untold number of newspapers, magazines, and literary societies. | |||
| ].]] | |||
| In literature, ] is known to be one of the world's famous writers, particularly known for his book '']'', which has been translated into more than twenty different languages.<ref>The Hindu (], ]). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| Several contemporary Lebanese writers have achieved international success; including ], ] and ]. | |||
| In art, Moustafa Farroukh and Alfred Bassbouss are very famous. Mustafa Farroukh (1901-1957) was one of Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 20th century. Formally trained in Rome and Paris, he exhibited in venues from Paris to New York to Beirut over his career. His work was applauded for its representation of real life in Lebanon in pictures of the country, its people and its customs. Farroukh became highly regarded as a Lebanese nationalist painter at a time when Lebanon was asserting its political independence. His art captured the spirit and character of the Lebanese people and he became recognized as the outstanding Lebanese painter of his generation. His total paintings were more than 2000 sold to collectors inside and outside of Lebanon. He also wrote five books and taught art at the American University of Beirut. | |||
| ===Festivals=== | |||
| ], the venue of ].]]Several international music festivals are held in Lebanon, featuring world-renowned artists and drawing crowds from Lebanon and abroad. Among the most famous are ], ], ], and the Al-Bustan Festival. ] in particular has a very vibrant arts scene, with numerous performances, exhibits, fashion shows, and concerts held throughout the year in its galleries, museums, theatres, and public spaces. | |||
| ==Politics== | |||
| {{Politics of Lebanon}} | |||
| {{main|Politics of Lebanon}} | |||
| Lebanon is a parliamentary, ], which implements a special system known as ].<ref>Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (2002). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> This system, allegedly meant to insure that sectarian conflict is kept at bay, attempts to fairly represent the demographic distribution of religious sects in the governing body.<ref>Lijphart, Arend. ''Consociational Democracy'', in "World Politics", Vol. 21, No. 2 (January 1969), pp. 207-225.</ref><ref>Lijphart, Arend. ''Multiethnic democracy'', in S. Lipset (ed.), "The Encyclopedia of Democracy". London, Routledge, 1995, Volume III, pp. 853-865.</ref> As such, high-ranking offices in are reserved for members of specific religious groups. The ], for example, has to be a ] Catholic Christian, the ] a ] Muslim, the ] a ] Muslim and the ] an ].<ref name="confessional">United States Institute of Peace (March 2006). . Retrieved ], ].</ref><ref>Marie-Joëlle Zahar. . (DOC) Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| ] building at the Place de l'Étoile]] | |||
| This trend continues in the distribution of the 128 parliamentary seats, which are divided equally between Muslims and Christians. Prior to 1990, the ratio stood at 6:5 in favor of Christians; however, the ], which put an end to the 1975-1990 civil war, adjusted the ratio to grant equal representation to followers of the two religions.<ref name="confessional" /> According to the ], direct elections must be held for the parliament every four years, although for much of Lebanon’s recent history, civil war precluded the exercise of this right. | |||
| The parliament elects the president for a non-renewable six-year term. At the urging of the Syrian government, this constitutional rule has been bypassed by ad hoc ] twice in recent history. ]’s term, which was due to end in 1995, was extended for three years.<ref>Western Asia Intelligence Bulletin (2004). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> This procedure, denounced by pro-democracy campaigners, was repeated in 2004 to allow ] to remain in office until 2007.<ref>New Age International (], ]). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| The President appoints the Prime Minister on the nomination of the parliament (which is, in most cases, binding).<ref>Lebanon2000.com. . Retrieved ], ].</ref> Following consultations with the parliament and the President, the Prime Minister forms the ], which must also adhere to the sectarian distribution set out by confessionalism. | |||
| ], the government headquarters in downtown Beirut]] | |||
| Lebanon's judicial system is based on the ]. Juries are not used in trials. The Lebanese court system consists of three levels: courts of first instance, courts of appeal, and the court of cassation. There also is a system of religious courts having jurisdiction over personal status matters within their own communities, with rules on matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Lebanese law does not provide for ] (although it recognizes such marriages contracted abroad); efforts by former ] ] to legalize civil marriage in the late 1990s floundered on objections mostly from ] clerics. Additionally, Lebanon has a system of military courts that also has jurisdiction over civilians for crimes of espionage, treason, and other crimes that are considered to be security-related.<ref>US Department of State (2006). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> These military courts have been criticized by ] organizations such as ] for "seriously fall short of international standards for fair trial" and having "very wide jurisdiction over civilians".<ref>Amnesty International (2005). . Retrieved ], ].</ref> | |||
| After ]'s assassination on ] ], the country has seen turbulent political times, and it shaped the ] and the rise of the ] alliance which is made of: Lebanese Forces, Future Movement and the ]. | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| * ] | |||
| {{portalpar|Lebanon|Flag of Lebanon.svg}} | |||
| ;Articles about recent events: | |||
| *] | |||
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| == Footnotes == | |||
| {{reflist|2}} | |||
| == Book References == | |||
| * Fisk, Robert. ''Pity the Nation: The Abduction of Lebanon.'' New York: Nation Books, 2002. | |||
| * Firzli, Nicola Y. ''Al-Baath wa-Lubnân'' ("The Baath and Lebanon"). Beirut: Dar-al-Tali'a Books, 1973 | |||
| *] ''History of Syria Including Lebanon and Palestine, Vol. 2'' (2002) (ISBN 1-931956-61-8) | |||
| * Holst, Sanford. ''Phoenicians: Lebanon's Epic Heritage.'' Los Angeles: Cambridge and Boston Press, 2005. | |||
| * Norton, Augustus R. ''Amal and the Shi'a: Struggle for the Soul of Lebanon.'' Austin and London: University of Texas Press, 1987. | |||
| * Riley-Smith, Jonathan. ''The Oxford Illustrated History of the Crusades.'' New York: Oxford University Press, 2001. | |||
| * Salibi, Kamal. ''A House of Many Mansions: The History of Lebanon Reconsidered.'' Berkeley: University of California Press, 1990. | |||
| ==External links== | |||
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Revision as of 01:25, 21 March 2008
Bold textMUSLIMS!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!