Republic of Lebanon Capital: Beirut Language: Arabic and French (Official), Armenian and English Time Zone: 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time Population(1996):3.7 Million Currency: Lebanese Pound (1 US$ = 1500 L.P.) Area: 10,452 square kilometers Location The Republic of Lebanon is a small and densely populated country situated in the eastern Mediterranean with a total land area of 10, 452 square meters. It is one of the smallest states in the region and at its widest point Lebanon stretches a mere 85 kilometers from its western to eastern borders. Lebanon has a 212-kilometer coastline and is bordered to the west by the Mediterranean Sea, to the north and east by Syria and to the south by Israel. A mountainous country, more than half of Lebanon's land is at altitudes of 1,000 meters above sea level. The Republic is defined by two mountain ranges running broadly parallel from north to south, known as the Lebanon (Mount Lebanon) and the Anti-Lebanon. Mount Lebanon is the larger of the two ranges and runs 48 kilometers along the Mediterranean coast, reaching an altitude of 3,090 meters at the summit of Qornet es-Sauda. To the east of Sidon, the Mount Lebanon range extends into the Chouf mountains - a largely terraced, arable region - and to the south it merges into the hills of Galilee. The Anti-Lebanon marks the eastern border with Syria, and the southern continuation of the range forms Mount Hermon, which reaches 2, 814 meters at its highest point. The majority of Lebanon's major cities are situated along the coastal plain, wedged between the Mediterranean Sea and the Mount Lebanon range. The coastal strip, which is composed of sandy bays and rocky headlands, is well irrigated and fertilized and includes orange groves and palm trees. Between the two mountain ranges lies the 15 kilometer wide fertile Bekaa Valley, which in Roman times was known as the "Bread Basket of the Roman World." Lebanon's main cities are the capital Beirut (Beyrouth), Zahle, Tripoli, Sidon, Jounieh and Tyre. Government: Lebanon is a Democratic Republic, with a parliamentary system of government and a cabinet headed by the Prime Minister. Its constitution is based on the separation of executive, legislative and judicial powers, with a President elected for a six year term. The 128 Members of Parliament are elected by universal adult sufferage for a four year term. The Lebanese Republic is divided into six regional governments, or Mohafazaat: Beirut, North Lebanon, Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon, The Bekaa Valley and Nabatiyeh Currency and Banking: The monetary unit is the Lebanese pound (LP). With currency notes issued in LP50, LP100, LP250, LP500, LP1,000, LP5,000, LP10,000, LP20,000, LP50,000 and LP100,000 denominations. Coins are now issued in LP100, LP250 and LP500 denominations. More than eighty banks operate in the country and transactions are performed efficiently and at low cost. Population In October 1996, the Ministry of Social Affairs published the results of the first population census since 1932. According to the census, Lebanon has a population of 3.1 million, excluding some 200,000 - 230,000 Palestinian refugees. The average household has 4.7 people, but households in Beirut are smaller (4.1 people) than in rural areas, such as the Bekaa Valley (5.0 people). Lebanon's population is young, with the under 15 year olds accounting for 29.2% of the total population. Climate Lebanon has a Mediterranean climate hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Average temperatures in Beirut average 29-32 degrees Celsius in the summer and 16-19 degrees Celsius in the winter. In the winter months, temperatures well below 0 degrees Celsius are common in the mountains. Lebanon is one of the few countries in the Middle East with sufficient rainfall to support agricultural, industrial and domestic activities. Annual precipitation ranges from 700 - 1,000 millimeters in the fertile coastal plain to 200 millimeters in north-eastern parts of the Bekaa Valley. Mount Lebanon is the country's most humid area and receives up to 1,400 millimeters a year. Generally, rain occurs from October to April, with virtually no precipitation in the summer months. Tourism Lebanon has a diverse range of activities ranging from mountain skiing to swimming in the Mediterranean. Populated since ancient times, as proven by the increasing number of Archaeological discoveries, Lebanon has witnessed a long and extremely eventful evolution that is still continuing. Lebanon's multi-layered past has amounted to numerous contrasting historical sites which, thankfully, can still be digested and appreciated by any visitor who sets foot here.