Lebanon is a small country with a big story to tell. While maps don’t show the full story, they do help explain some aspects of the country.
Where is Lebanon?
Lebanon is in the Middle East on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Bordered by Syria to the north and east and Palestine/Israel to the south. The region is known as the Levant and is one of the most historical regions of the world.
Lebanon map with cities/towns
As you can see, most cities in Lebanon are on the Mediterranean coast, a body of water that has helped define the country, while the middle is the large Lebanese Mountains range. In the east is the plains on the Syrian border. The north is more populated than the south, in part owing to the often-violent relationship with its southern neighbour.
Lebanon regions
Lebanon is divided into 4 regions and one major city. North Lebanon and South Lebanon, Bekaa along the Syrian border and Mount Lebanon in the middle. Beirut is right in the centre and is the heart and soul of the country.
Beirut Map
Beirut is usually the first place people arrive in Lebanon and is the centre, both literally and figuratively, of Lebanon. It’s a bustling, exciting cosmopolitan city with a proud and unique population.
Lebanon religious communities
For better or worse, Lebanon is an extremely diverse country, with both large Muslim and Christian populations, but of course, being Lebanon, it’s even more complicated than that, with carrying Christian denominations as well as both Sunni and Shia Muslim communities. Throw the Druze minority in for good measure and you’ve got the melting pot that is Lebanon.
Southern Border with Palestine/Israel
The border between Lebanon and Israel is one of the world’s most hotly contested and dangerous borders. The UN blue line marks the demarcation between the two states and is patrolled by a multinational force. Violence and conflict often break out along this border, especially near the Shabaa farms, a part of Lebanon annexed by Israel. Israel also accused the Lebanese group Hezbollah of building tunnels underneath the UN blue line, while Israel has built its border wall in areas internationally recognised as Lebanese.
