Lebanon: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Lebanon

Lebanon is a small country on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Snowy mountains rise close to its coast, with the fertile Bekaa Valley lying between two mountain ranges. It is known for its ancient Phoenician cities, cedar trees and delicious food.

About Beirut

Beirut sits on the Mediterranean coast at the foot of the Lebanon Mountains and has been lived in for more than 5,000 years. It is known for its seaside Corniche promenade and the Pigeon Rocks just offshore.

Fun facts about Lebanon

1. A green cedar tree sits in the middle of Lebanon's flag, and the cedar is the national symbol.
2. The ancient Phoenicians of this coast are credited with inventing the oldest verified alphabet.
3. Byblos, on Lebanon's coast, is among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
4. At Baalbek, Roman builders used giant stone blocks, some weighing around 800 tonnes, to build huge temples.
5. Jeita Grotto has an underground river that visitors explore by boat and a stalactite about 8.2 metres long.
6. The name Lebanon likely comes from an ancient word meaning 'white', after its snow-capped mountains.