There's more to this place than ancient ruins and really good almond pastries. Lebanon packs a lot into its modest borders: ancient cities, ski resorts, impressive architecture and striking landscapes are just the start. Then there's great food (reputedly the best in the region), and great nightlife (Beirut claims to be the party capital of the Middle East).
Lebanon travel guide. Video hosted on Google. The best time of year to visit Lebanon is spring (March to May) when the weather is mild and wildflowers are in bloom. If your timing is just right, you may be able to live the Lebanese cliche and, at the end of the snow season, ski in the mountains in the morning and swim on the coast in the afternoon. If you can't make the spring, aim for autumn (September to November), between the intense heat of summer and the cloud of winter.
Like anywhere, if you are heading to Lebanon during school holidays, you should book accommodation well in advance. Religious and state holidays should not seriously disrupt any travel plans - transport, hotels, restaurants and many businesses function as normal. The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan may require a bit more planning: some cafes and restaurants close during the day, and some offices operate reduced and erratic hours. Ramadan nights, particularly during the final three days of the Eid al-Fitr can be particularly lively. You may wish to schedule your trip around annual festivals, such as those at Baalbek, Byblos, Palmyra and Bosra.
The security situation in Lebanon remains very uncertain. Violent clashes and bombings have taken place on the streets of Beirut and further unrest is possible. Palestinian refugee camps have been the scene of recent armed conflict and should be avoided. Areas south of the Litani River should be avoided. Travellers should exercise extreme caution and monitor the news for any developments. Beirut airport has reopened but damage from the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah war remains significant throughout the city. The presence of unexploded ordnance is a real threat, particularly in the south.
Lebanons coastal location, high mountain backbone, and climate have greatly influenced the countrys history, peoples, and economy. The coastal area of present-day Lebanon was settled more than 7,000 years ago and later evolved as the heart of seafaring Phoenicia. 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 withthough was not overwhelmed byIslamic influences. Following centuries of Ottoman control, France ruled Lebanon under a League of Nations mandate after the Ottoman Empire was defeated in World War I (1914-1918). During World War II (1939-1945) Lebanon became an independent republic and for three decades prospered under a free-market economy. However, the country experienced increasing hostility among rival religious groups, especially between Christians and Muslims. These and other domestic tensions, intensified by foreign influences, erupted into the devastating Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990). Beirut is Lebanons capital, principal port, and largest city.
Most of Lebanon 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 27°C (80°F) in summer and 14°C (57°F) in winter. In the Lebanon Mountains, temperatures decrease and precipitation increases 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 1,300 mm (50 in) of annual precipitation. The Bekáa Valley and the Anti-Lebanon Mountains are situated in the rain shadow of the Lebanon Mountains and as a result have hot, dry summers and cold winters with occasional rain.
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