Middle East.

GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

10,452 sq km (4,036 sq miles).

3.9 million (CIA estimate 2007).

375.6 per sq km.

Beirut. Population: 1.17 million (2003).

Lebanon lies to the east of the Mediterranean, sharing borders to the north and east with the Syrian Arab Republic, and to the south with Israel/Palestinian Territory. It is a mountainous country and between the two mountain ranges of Jebel Lubnan (Mount Lebanon), Mount Hermon and the Anti-Lebanon range lies the fertile Bekaa Valley. Approximately half of the country lies at an altitude of over 900m (3,000ft). Into this small country is packed such a variety of scenery that there are few places to equal it in beauty and choice. The famous cedar trees grow high in the mountains, while the lower slopes bear grapes, apricots, plums, peaches, figs, olives and barley, often on terraces painstakingly cut out from the mountainsides. On the coastal plain, citrus fruit, bananas and vegetables are cultivated, with radishes and beans grown in tiny patches.

Republic.

Prime Minister Fouad Siniora since 2005.

An anti-Syrian alliance, led by Saad al-Hariri, son of the assassinated former prime minister Rafik Hariri, won control of Lebanon's parliament following elections in May and June 2005. Fouad Siniora was nominated as prime minister by all but two members of the new parliament. His cabinet was composed of mainly anti-Syrian ministers, as well as a minister from Hezbollah. Lebanon's fragile peace was shattered in July 2006, when Israeli forces attacked Lebanon following the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah. Around 1,000 Lebanese were killed and much of the infrastructure destroyed.

Former president, Emile Lahoud, stepped down in November 2007 but parliament failed to agree on a successor.

The official language is Arabic, followed by French as the second language. English is widely spoken. Armenian is spoken by a small percentage of the population.

Islam and Christianity are the main religion. Islam (predominantly Shi’ite) accounts for approximately 59.7% of the population’s beliefs. Christian denominations, mainly Greek Orthodox, Maronite, Armenian and Protestant, account for another 39%. Other religions account for the remainder (including a very small Jewish community).

230 volts AC, 50Hz.

Lebanese people are known for their hospitality. Handshaking is the normal form of greeting. It is acceptable to give a small gift, particularly if invited home for a meal. As far as dress is concerned, casual dress is suitable for daytime wear, except in main towns where dress tends to be rather formal. Smarter hotels and restaurants often require guests to dress for dinner. Since Lebanon is almost evenly divided between those adhering to the Muslim faith, and those adhering to the Christian faith, visitors should dress according to the custom of the majority in the individual places being visited. Smoking is common and acceptable unless specified otherwise.