Lebanon

Understand

Geography The Republic of Lebanon is marked by two mountain ridges that run parallel to the Mediterranean coastline. The Mount Lebanon ridge is close to the sea, and is cut across from north to south by transverse valleys and canyons. The landscape is mostly mountainous and sometimes very rugged, with steep cliffs and gradients. Streams are frequent and provide ample resources for cultivation and natural vegetation. The Anti-Lebanon runs parallel east of the Mount Lebanon ridge, and forms part of the border with Syria. The Bekaa valley, with ample flatlands traversed by the Orontes (Nahr al-Aasi) and Litani rivers, runs between the two ridges.

History

Lebanon has a long and complex history since the Neolithic age. The most important Phoenicians cities (Byblos and Tyre among others) were founded here and have been thriving since then. The area was under the sphere of influence of Egyptian, Mesopotomian, and Persian ancient civilizations. Lebanon has a rich heritage of Hellenistic and Roman monuments, including among others the temples of Baalbek and Tyre. After the Byzantine and Umayyad rule (which left behind the ruins of Anjar), the area of today's Lebanon was conquered by the Crusaders and the Mamluks, with many significant monuments (fortresses and places of worship) scattered over the country, and notably in Tripoli. Four centuries of Ottoman rule (1516–1918) with significant degrees of autonomous rule were ended with the creation of the French Mandate after World War I. Lebanon became independent in 1943. For a period of time, Lebanon was referred to as the "Switzerland of the Middle East". Under a free-market economy, Lebanon enjoyed three decades of prosperity and many moved to Lebanon in search of a better life. Three decades of growth were crippled by a

Getting there

Visas

Visa policy Citizens of Turkey get a free 3-month visa that can only be renewed before one month passes since their entry.

Citizens of Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Djibouti, Mauritania, the Comoros, Nigeria, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire get a free one-month tourist visa provided they have a return plane ticket, a hotel reservation/place of residence and US$2,000 (the cash conditions can be waived if you get the visa from the Lebanese embassy beforehand). Citizens of India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and several other "labor exporting" countries not otherwise listed in this section cannot get a visa directly at the airport or at a Lebanese embassy. Instead, a visa needs to be arranged by a Lebanese sponsor in Lebanon through the General Security head office in Beirut. This is a convoluted process that can take months, so start early. Visas issued this way are valid for 1 month but can be extended until 3 months at General Security once in Lebanon. Three-month visas are free for nationals from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan. Other nationals can obtain a 15-day visa or a three-month visa). These visas are single-entry; nationals of many countries can also obtain multiple-entry visas. 48-hour free-of-charge transit visas (valid for three calendar days) are available if you enter by land and leave via the airport or vice-versa. Visas can be obtained at Lebanese embassies and consulates in other countries, or upon arrival at Beirut airport and other points of entry for some nationalities. The cost for a visa at the airport is US$17 (2021), it is for one entry and valid for 3 months. A free, single-entry, one-month valid visa, renewable till 3 months, is granted to the citi

Getting around

Due to the relatively small size of the country, the best way to get around the country quickly is by car. A trip from Tyre to Beirut will easily take you 1½ hours, depending on traffic and security conditions. This is not to say that it's entirely safe — Lebanese roads are not in perfect condition and drivers aren't known for being very cautious. Still, travelling by car is your best bet.

By taxi The majority of travellers use service taxis to get from place to place. "Service" taxis often operate like buses on set routes between towns and cities, though they can be hired to visit other places with some negotiation. Depending on the type of vehicle, each taxi carries between 4 (inside metropolitan areas) to 6 (longer distances) passengers, who share the fare between them. The fare increases depending on distance to be travelled, traffic on that specific road and of course, like everything in Lebanon, persuasion/negotiation skills. A private taxi ride, without having to share with other passengers is similar to a "service" taxi, in that the same pre-negotiation is required to determine the fare. Never get in a taxi or "service" without agreeing on the fare first. Taxis and service taxis are basically the same, and the mode of operation depends on the availability of passengers and their demands. The majority of service taxis in Lebanon are 1975 Mercedes cars that roam the streets searching for passengers using their car-horns. Newer car models working as mainly "service" taxis are appearing on the Lebanese streets with neverthe