NumberNineDream

I thought of writing some trivia also:

GEOGRAPHY :

_ It's in the Middle East. Syria on the Northern and Eastern border, Palestine/Israel is on the Southern border.
_ On the west, the Mediterranean sea, from North to South. The coast is 120 km long.
_ Lebanon is a very small country, of 10452 (square)km. The population is over 4 million, with 1 million living in the capital Beirut alone.
_ There are 2 mountain chains (The Eastern chain, and the Western Chain), separated by the Bekaa Valley.
_ The highest mountain top in Lebanon is 3800m high. Travelling from the coast (after a swim) to the any ski resort, can only take 30 minutes. Something enjoyable to do between March and April.
_ Temperature is between 25-30ºC in the Summer, and 10-15ºC in the winter (on the coast) and -5ºC (in the mountains).
_ The Lebanese diaspora is mainly in Canada, Brazil, US, France and Australia, with over 35 million Lebanese living outside their home country.
_ Lebanon was, in the past, named Phoenicia. Phoenicians have created the Alphabet, soap and of course the Phoenix, that still symbolises Lebanon.
_ Many Lebanese, still consider themselves as "Phoenicians" and not "Arab"... which is stupid imo.

POLITICS

_ Lebanon has been occupied, since the defeat of the Phoenician Empire by the Roman Empire.
_ After that, Lebanon was occupied by the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) form 1415 till 1915.
_ In WWI, one third of the Lebanese population died from hunger, and another third immigrated to another country.
_ From 1915 till 1945, Lebanon was occupied by France.
_ The 60s was the decade of high life... Lebanon was free at last!
_ In 1975, the civil war started. (Christian v/s Muslim| Christian v/s Palestinian | Muslim v/s Israeli| Christian v/s Syrian | Muslim Sunni v/s Muslim Shi'ite | Christian v/s Druz | Palestinian v/s Israeli, on Lebanese ground | Syrian v/s Israeli, on Lebanese ground etc ... etc ... I think it's enough for now)
_ In 1982, Israel occupies half the Lebanese territory.
_ In 1990, the war ends, with Syria occupying the country (except the South, which was occupied by Israel)
_ In 1995, Israel occupies the South no more.
_ In 2005, Syria occupies Lebanon no more.
_ From 1975-2010, the lords of the Lebanese civil war, are still in the Government.

So... I think that's about it, not much has changed in the last 1000 years.

PS: There is no Official unified Lebanese History, from 1970 till 2010...

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