Alphabetized adults: 89.6% (2017)
major religions: Islam 60%, Christianity 40%
Urban population: 87.2%
Life expectancy (male / female): 76.3 / 78.9 years
Gender Inequality Index: 93 of 162 (2018)
Number of births: 1.6 / woman (2018)
Infant mortality: 9.29 / 1000 live births (2018)
Lebanon – Mosaic of Religions
Macrosocial structure
The population of Lebanon is made up of 93% Arabs, 6% Armenians, 1% Kurds and other ethnic groups. Lebanon is part of the so-called Arab world. In addition to the official language Arabic, French and increasingly English are taught in schools. French and English are the study languages at most universities in the country.
Between 78 and 87% of the population lives in the cities or their agglomerations, especially in the capital Beirut (1.5 million), Tripoli (500,000), Zahleh (200,000), Sidon (Saïda) (100,000), Baalbek (18,000) and Sur (Tire) (15,000)
About 450,000 Palestinians live in Lebanon. Almost 55% of them live in one of the government’s 12 refugee camps near Beirut (Mar Elias, Burj el-Barajneh, Bbayeh, Shatila), Tripoli (Nahr el-Bared, Beddawi), Sidon (Saïda) (Aïn el -Helweh, Mieh Mieh), from Sur (Tire) (El-Buss, Rashidieh, Borj el-Shemali) and from Baalbek (Wavell). In addition, around 1.7 million people have fled to Lebanon since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. According to the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees another living groups of refugees in Lebanon, mostly Iraqis, Afghans and Sudanese.
Lebanon – art and culture
The heterogeneous image of religion in Lebanon is an example of the diversity of society and culture in the country. The myth says that Zeus fell in love with Europe, the daughter of the Phoenician king of Tire. He turned into a white bull and enticed the princess to get on his back. As soon as that happened he went with her into the water and swam to Crete. The kidnapped bride gave the continent its name. After conquering the well-fortified Tire, Alexander the Great had all male residents killed and sold all women and children into slavery. In Qana, Jesus turned the water in the jugs into wine. Baalbekhome to the largest surviving Roman temple complex in the Middle East. Phoenicians and Greeks previously shaped the region. Arabs, Mongols, Crusaders, Ottomans, French; all of them were in Lebanon and all of them had a lasting impact on the culture of modern Lebanon.
According to franciscogardening, Lebanon is a Mediterranean country where elements of oriental and European cultures mix. Lebanese culture is religious, cosmopolitan, conservative and modern at the same time. As the gateway to the Middle East, Lebanon shines through the entire region with its diverse educational and cultural offerings. Because a large part of the Lebanese live abroad, many cultural influences from Africa, South America, Australia, the USA and Europe are brought into Lebanon. Music and books are Lebanon’s most important export goods. Modern painters like Chaouki Chamoun, César Gemayel, as well as modern writers and poets like Khalil Gibran Khalil and the Rahbani familyshape the Arab cultural scene today. Events and international festivals take place throughout the year. They offer artists and those interested in art from all over the world a forum for creative encounters.
The Lebanese singer Fairouz is the greatest living diva in the Arab world. Fairouz is linked to the history and identity of the Arab cultural area. The Christian singer does not allow herself to be politically captured by any front. Their music is revered by the opponents. Even in Syria, her songs can be heard both on the radio, which is controlled by the Assad government, and in the opposition media.
Religion
The Lebanese state is home to 18 recognized religious communities. 11 Christian, 6 Muslim and the Jewish community. The Maronites are the largest Christian denomination, there are also various other Christian communities. The religious communities of Lebanon are: Maronite, Roman Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Armenian Catholic, Coptic, Assyrian Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox and Protestant Christians, Chaldeans. Shiites and Sunnis make up the largest Muslim denominations. other Muslim denominations are the Druze, Alawites and Ishmaelites. The Jewish community of Lebanon is very small.
Currency: 1 Lebanese pound (LBP, L £)
Exchange rate: 1675,100 LBP per € (officially September 2020)
Time zone: UTC + 2
Country code (phone): +961
Climate (Beirut): Mediterranean climate
Housing and supply
Both in the capital, Beirut, and in other large cities in the country, the housing and supply situation is similar to that in other western countries. The supply of food and all everyday necessities is very good in Lebanon. Groceries can be found both at local grocers, which can be found in every street, or in one of the large supermarkets that can be found in Beirut. The supermarkets are usually very extensive.
Beirut is an expensive city. The housing market is slightly tense, but it is not impossible to find the right apartment. Here, however, you should not make hasty decisions and if possible have a local person of trust with you when viewing the apartment or signing the contract. Some landlords require a full annual rent in advance. Accommodation offers can be found on the following internet portals, among others:
- byootna
- ahlein
Power failures and difficulties with the water supply are commonplace in Lebanon, so when looking for an apartment you should make sure that a third party supplier is organized.
Stay healthy
Health care is well established in Lebanon. On site, especially in Beirut, you will find well-trained specialists and hospitals equipped according to Western standards. You can find all important medicines in Lebanese pharmacies. Care should be taken to ensure that the drugs are not counterfeit or that the drug has not expired. Medical care is very expensive in Lebanon, so it is advisable to have health insurance and adequate vaccination coverage.
The water quality is not particularly good in the entire country. Tap water should be boiled. Drinking water is better bought in bottles. Here it is advisable to consume well-known brands and not to use the much cheaper canister filling stations. Be especially careful with raw foods! Infections and diarrhea are a threat here.
The Foreign Office recommends, among other things, that the standard vaccinations according to the current vaccination calendar of the Robert Koch Institute for children and adults be checked and completed on the occasion of a trip. For adults, these include vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio (polio), mumps, measles, rubella (MMR), pneumococci and influenza.
Hepatitis A is recommended as travel vaccinations, and hepatitis B and rabies for long-term stays or special exposure.
Telecommunication, Internet
The telecommunications system in Lebanon is relatively stable. Although landline phones are widely available, mobile phones, especially prepaid offers, are widespread in Lebanon. The network is not designed for a number of users of three million, which means that the networks regularly collapse. The two providers of the cellular network are mtc-touch and Alfa. In the city of Beirut, the internet infrastructure is good to very good. The two mobile phone providers have good offers on the market.
The Libanpost is the largest mail carrier in the country, but there are in Lebanon no functioning postal delivery system of letters and parcels to private addresses. Mainly company addresses and mailboxes are served. In addition, is DHL Lebanon very active.
