Area
10.452 km2

Population
4,000,000 inhabitants

Capital
Beirut - 120,000 inhabitants

Language
In addition to the native Arabic language, the average Lebanese is often fluent in English or French. Many well-educated Lebanese are trilingual.

Religion
Mainly Christian and Muslim

Time
GMT + 2 in winter
GMT + 3 from April to September

Geography
Although a small country, Lebanon's varied geographical areas can be divided in: Narrow Coastal Plain; North-south mountain range known as Mount Lebanon; The Bekaa Valley; The Anti- Lebanon Mountains and Mont Hermon (Frontier between Lebanon and Syria.)

Climate
Lebanon enjoys an essentially Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and long summers, which are warm and humid.

Monthly temperatures
January: 13.4°C; February: 14 °C; March: 15.7°C; April: 18.5°C; May: 21.8 °C;
June: 24.9°C; July: 24.9 °C; August: 27.8°C; September: 26.4°C; October: 23.8°C;
November: 23.8 °C; December: 19.5°C.

Airlines
The most important airlines are connecting Europe with Lebanon.

Airports - International traffic
The International- Airport of Beirut.

Visa formalities
All individuals should obtain an entry visa from the Lebanese Embassy in their country.
A visa with double or multiple entries should be requested in case a combination trip is
Scheduled with Syria.
For groups consisting of min. 8 pax, a collective visa can be obtained upon arrival in Lebanon (at the airport or the border). This collective visa is free of charge if the group stays less than 48 hours in Lebanon. Approx. 20 USD per person will be charged if the group stays longer than 48 hours in Lebanon. For individuals and groups less than 8 pax, a visa of 20 USD per person is needed no matter whether they stay less or more than 48 hours in Lebanon.
It should be noted that no Israeli stamps or visa should appear in the passports.
Passports have to be valid until at least 6 months after departure from Lebanon.

Currency
The Lebanese Pound (L.P.). 1 USD = 1.500 L.P. (According Exchange Rate).

Banking Hours
Weekdays: 08.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.; Saturdays: 08.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.

Credit Cards
Visa cards, Master Card and American Express are accepted in various hotels and Shops.

Current
In Beirut it is either 110 V or 220 V. Outside Beirut all electricity is 220 V.

Clothing
In summer light: Cotton clothes are advisable. Sunglasses, a hat and a good pair of walking shoes are recommendable. A woolen jacket for the evenings in the mountains. In
Winter: winter clothes should be brought as temperatures may reach 0°C, especially in the mountains.

Health
No special vaccinations are requested.

Drinking water
It is recommendable to drink bottled water, certainly outside the large cities.

Departure tax
An airport tax of 31 USD per person will be charged (If not included in the ticket.)