I love Lebanon

Haret Sakher
Beirut
LEBANON

General Information Lebanon is a liberal democracy with a constitution agreed upon in 1926 but amended many times since then (last time was in 1990). The Lebanese Republic achieved independence in 1943. ----- Area 10,452 km2 Population 3,562,699 (2002) Capital Beirut Capital population 1,452,112 (2002) The political system was then adapted to satisfy the deep sociological and historical needs created by the presence of eighteen religious communities within the country. Despite the resent years of war during the period 1975 to 1990, Lebanon nowadays resembles an extremely active building site. --------------- President :Michel Sleiman Principal Cities Beirut, Tripoli, and Sidon Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering eastern coast of the Mediterranean sea, bounded on the north and east by Syria, on the south by Palestine, and on the west by the Mediterranean sea. Official language Arabic Second language French & English Time GMT +02:00 - US EST +7 Electricity 110/220 V, 50 AC ----- Entry Requirements A valid passport and a visa are required to enter Lebanon. Visas are delivered by Lebanese diplomatic missions abroad Lebanon has always known the freedom of money transfer, permitting any person to bring in or take out any capital of his/her choice at any time without restriction. Note: No Israeli stamp or any crossing point with Israel stamp should be on your passport this includes Araba border, Sheikh Hussein border, Rafah border, and Taba border. Currency & Exchange Facilities The currency of Lebanon is Lebanese Pound (called Lira) - 1 US Dollar equals LL 1513.750 (1 May 2001). Coin denominations are: 50, 100, 250, and 500 liras. Paper denominations are: 500, 1000, 5000, 10.000, 20.000, 50.000, and 100.000 liras. After the drastic devaluation of the Lebanese currency in the late eighties, the whole economy is dollarized. Though today many transactions are quoted in the Lebanese currency, large purchases and real estate deals are conducted in US dollars. Major credit cards, such as Visa, Master Card, Diners Club, and American Express, are accepted in large establishments throughout the country. ATMs are becoming more numerous and many are located outside bank branches and in the business areas of major cities. Climate Lebanon enjoys an essential Mediterranean climate with rainy winters and long warm summers with an average of 300 sunny days a year. The winter is mild on the coast and snowy in the mountains. Annual rainfall ranges from 700 to 1200mm. The summer is hot on the coast and mild in the mountains. In some spring months, one can ski in the mountains and swim on the coast, both in the same day. Currency Lebanese Pound (see below) Int'l Dialing Code 00961 Tourist Information Offices Ministry of Tourism - Tourist Information +961 (1) 340940 Middle East Airlines (MEA) +961 (1) 629125 - 822780 Airport Information +961 (1) 628000 Emergency Phone Numbers Nationwide Emergency 112 Police Operation 160 Tourist Police 350901/343504 Beirut Information 427714/5 Jounieh Information 900000/9301111 Sidon Information 721221/725811/2 Tripoli Information 200400/1 Zahle Information 800169