Overview: Lebanon is a country immersed in history. Lying on the
Mediterranean Sea, at the junction of Asia, Africa and Europe,
Lebanon's cities and harbours were once major outposts in
Phoenician and Roman times. The Békaa Valley, known in the 1st
century BC as the 'granary of Rome', is still the country's main
agricultural region - and one of the leading wine-producing areas
in the world. One of the highlights of visiting Lebanon and its cosmopolitan
capital city Beirut is the constant reminder of the country's
long-standing role in the history of the world. Evidence of
Phoenician and Roman occupancy is best seen at the pre-Roman
historic site of Baalbek, known as the largest and best-preserved
Roman ruins in the world; and in the coastal cities of Saida
(Sidon) and Jbail (Byblos), where tourists have the rare
opportunity to snorkel amongst submerged Phoenician ruins. Lebanon has a remarkable natural landscape, especially when one
considers how much desert surrounds it. There are four main
geographical regions in Lebanon, that can easily be identified on a
map. From west to east, there is the coastal plain; the Mount
Lebanon Range; the Békaa Valley; and the Anti-Lebanon Range. Each
region varies in topography and climate, and in what it can offer a
visitor. However, because Lebanon is a small country (about the
size of Cyprus), day trips to historic coastal towns and lovely
mountain villages can easily be made from Beirut. From 1975 until the early 1990s Lebanon endured a bloody civil
war, which deeply scarred the country and its inhabitants, but
which has resulted in some reconciliatory efforts towards
rebuilding the nation, and a burgeoning atmosphere of
open-mindedness and tolerance. These days, although it still
features on consular warning lists, Lebanon remains a popular
travel destination - and as long as travellers remain vigilant and
aware of the socio-political situation at any given time, they
should enjoy a safe and pleasant passage through the 'Land of the
Cedars'. The ancient ci
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