Lebanon

Lore & Background

Human habitation in Lebanon dates to the Paleolithic period, with the Natufian culture established around 12000 BC. From around 1500 BC, it was part of the distinct cultural and political entity of Phoenicia. In 64 BC, the region became part of the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire. After the seventh century, it came under various Arab Islamic caliphates. The 11th century saw Christian Crusader states, which fell to the Ayyubids and Mamluks. Lebanon came under Ottoman rule in the early 16th century. Under Sultan Abdulmejid I, the Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate was established. After World War I, Lebanon came under the French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon, which established Greater Lebanon. By 1943, Lebanon gained independence from the French Mandate and established a confessional government. The Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990) shattered stability. Syrian forces entered Lebanon in 1976 and remained until their withdrawal in 2005, and Israel occupied parts of southern Lebanon from 1978, maintaining a security zone from 1985 to 2000. It has been the scene of several conflicts with Israel, including multiple military campaigns since 1978.

Reader's Guide

Lebanon is a developing country, ranked 102nd on the Human Development Index and classified as lower-middle-income. The Lebanese liquidity crisis, nationwide corruption, and the 2020 Beirut explosion precipitated currency collapse, political instability, resource shortages, high unemployment, and poverty. The World Bank defined Lebanon's economic crisis as one of the world's worst since the 19th century. Lebanese culture is renowned globally, powered by the large Lebanese diaspora. Lebanon is a founding member of the United Nations and the Arab League, and a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, and the Group of 77.

Did You Know?

• The name 'Lebanon' originates from the Phoenician root 'lbn' meaning 'white', apparently from its snow-capped peaks.
• The name occurs nearly 70 times in the Hebrew Bible as Ləḇānon.
• Lebanon as an administrative unit was introduced with the Ottoman reforms of 1861 as the Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate.