Facts and Figures

Geography

Lebanon is only 10,400 km sq. in area. From north to south it measures 200km and from west to east averages 50km. In that space is a coastal strip, two mountain ranges, an inland plain, dozens of rivers and four lakes.

Lebanon is at the eastern end of the Mediterranean basin, north of Palestine, south and west of Syria, and southeast of Cyprus.

Currency and banking

Movement of currency into and out of country and all exchange transactions are completely free of any mind of control. Gold and silver coins may be freely exchanged imported and exported. The monitory units is the Lebanese pound issued in LL50, LL100, LL250, LL1, 000, LL5, 000, LL10, 000, LL20, 000, LL50, 000 and LL100, 000 notes.

Government

Lebanon is a democrat republic with parliamentary system of government and cabinet headed by Prime Minister. Its constitution is based on the separation of executive, legislative and judicial powers, with a president elected for six-year term. The 128 members of parliament are elected by universal adult suffrage for a four-year term.

Passport and visas

Visitors to Lebanon must have a valid passport and a Lebanese visa. Visas are delivered by Lebanese diplomatic missions abroad. However, nationals of certain countries can obtain visa upon arrival Beirut Airport or borders with Syria, free of charge if the stay is within 48 hours.

Customs

The Duty Free allowance for entry into Lebanon is one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes or 200g tobacco and 60g perfume. No duty is payable on personal possessions.

Electric Current

It is 220V; two-pin plugs with no earth pin are used.

Climate

The climate in the coastal area of Lebanon is typical Mediterranean, with long, hot summers and mild, rainy winter. Rain is extremely rare during summer months, from June to October, and there are on average 300 days sunshine a year. In the higher mountain areas, the temperature in summer is pleasantly warm, while in winter it is cold, and snow usually falls at elevations above 1000m.

Average temperature in Beirut (Centigrade):

Jan 13.4           Feb 14.0          Mar 15.7          Apr 18.5          May 21.8     Jun 24.9   

Jul  27.1           Aug 27.1          Sep 26.4         Oct 23.8          Nov 19.5       Dec 15.6

Working hours

From Monday morning till Saturday noon:

-         Government offices: 0800-1400

-         Banks: 0830-1230

-         Private offices: 0830-1700

-         Shops: 0900-1900

Time

Lebanese time is GMT +2 hours in winter, +3 in summer

Public Holidays

Jan 1^st             New Year’s Day

Feb 9^th            Feast of St. Mar

**                    Fitr (breaking of the Fast at end of Ramadan)

**                    Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)

April                Good Friday and Easter Monday (Western Churches)

April                Good Friday and Easter Monday (Eastern Churches)

**                    Ashoura

May 1^st            Workers’ Day

May 6^th            Martyr’s Day

**                    Birthday of Prophet Mohammed

Aug 15^th           Assumption of Mary

(**): The dates of Islamic festivals are fixed according to Islamic calendar in conjunction with sightings of the moon.

Language

In addition to the native Arabic language, the average Lebanese is often fluent in English or French, and many in both