• Officially the Lebanese Republic, located in West Asia
• Bordered by Syria, Israel, and Mediterranean Sea
• Population: over 5 million; Area: 10,452 sq km
• Capital: Beirut

• Human habitation dates back to 5000 BC
• Part of Phoenicia (3200-539 BC), then Roman and Byzantine Empires
• Ruled by various Arab caliphates from the 7th century
• Ottoman rule established in the early 16th century, creating the Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate

• Gained independence from France in 1943
• Established a confessional government; faced Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990)
• Under Syrian and Israeli military occupations

• Developing country, ranked 102nd on Human Development Index
• Economic crisis worsened by corruption and disasters (e.g., Beirut explosion)
• Known for cultural influence; part of multiple international organizations

List of newspapers published in Lebanon.