Facts

Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria

Area (only Total) total: 10,400 sq km

Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows

Terrain: narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains

Population: 3,971,941 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Arabic

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Beirut

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+2

Independence: 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)

National holiday: Independence Day, 22 November (1943)

HOLIDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

January 6 Christmas (Armenian community holiday, not general)

January 7 Christmas (Orthodox old calendar community holiday, not general)

January 19 Ashoura

February 9 St Maron's Day

March 20 Prophet's Anniversary

March 21 Good Friday

March 24 Easter Monday

May 1 Labour Day

May 6 Martyrs' Day

August 15 Assumption of the Virgin Mary

November 1 All Saints Day

November 22 Independence Day

December 8 Eid ul Adha

December 25 Christmas Day

December 31 Evacuation Day

Weekend - The Christian communities and some Muslim areas (mainly in downtown Beirut) observe Saturday and Sunday weekends. Some Sunni, most Druze and almost all the Shi'a communities observe Thursday and Friday. Government offices in Beirut close on Saturday afternoon and Sunday all day. Banks are closed on Sunday. Shops are often open 7 days a week.