Lebanon

The Republic of Lebanon, a tiny country some 56 km (35 mi.) wide and 217 km (135 mi.) long, is located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Syria and Israel. It was a French mandate from the end of World War I until 1943, when it gained full independence, and it gradually became the commercial and cultural hub of the Arab Middle East. Lebanon has long been known for its religious and cultural diversity. Its inhabitants generally coexisted peacefully until 1975, when rapid economic, social, and demographic changes contributed to the outbreak of a devastating civil war. The articles below provide information about Lebanon.