lebanon lebanon real estate lebanon news beirut lebanon real estate lebanon mo lebanon girl real

Lebanon: A blend of the new and the old Eternal Beirut With over four million people and 18 different sects, Lebanon offers a blend of the new and the old. Thanks to its ancient Phoenician and modern history, the Levant has been a contested territory in the rise and fall of empires for thousand years. It has an economy based on commerce and services, transit and tourism and some agriculture, with per capita income equivalent to little more than US$4,000 a year. However, the climate and lifestyle is the country's best showcase. A diverse patchwork of the Mediterranean-lapped coast, rugged alpine peaks and green, fertile valleys makes Lebanon unique. Aside from landscape, the country is steeped in history. Ancient Lebanon features in the writings of Homer and the Old Testament. Its cities were major outposts and seaports in Phoenician and Roman times. The fortresses and ruin cities of Aanjar, Baalbeck, Byblos, Tyre and the Qadisha Valley or Cedar Forest are all listed as the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Here lies one urban settlement for over 5,000 years since pre-Phoenician Canaanite period, the third millennium BC. At the crossroads of cultures and religions, bridging east and west, linking ancient trade routes from the hinterland across the Mediterranean is Beirut. A view from renovated Beirut Central District Old Beirut was inhabited in Byblos for almost 9000 years; the so-called Paris of the Middle East became the base of Phoenician life. Its ships travelled around the Mediterranean Sea, opening to trade down from the West Africa coast to south Med. Those who lived along the coast were the richest first traders in all history of the region. Today, the recurring theme around the Mediterranean is expressed in the city's lively cultural and intellectual life and in its wonderfully eclectic architectural tradition. Culture and tradition have always fused local and Arab vernaculars with new influences from abroad, historically from Italy and France. Lebanon even became the banking capital of the Middle East until a bloody strife erupted. From 1975-1990, 15 years of war tore a nation so poised and proud of its heritage and roots. Reconstructed capital Modern Beirut today, reconstructing since 1991 after the damaging civil war that lost the city its pre-eminent role in the Middle East, is reviving and repositioning itself again - a recurring theme throughout its history.

Photograph by Bethune Carmichael/Getty Images Ancient Tyre is replete with ruins—including this preserved Roman road and arch. In Roman times the city was known for a precious purple dye, made from local sea snails, which became the color of royalty.

Geography: 10,452 square kilometers (4,036 square miles) with a western coastline on the Mediterranaen and bordered in the north and east by Syria and by Israel in the south. Population: 4.5 million, including around 400,000 Palestinian refugees. According to the Lesbanese Council of International Affairs, around 20 million people of Lebanese origin are to be found around the world. Capital: Beirut. Languages: Arabic (official). French and English are also spoken. Religions: Lebanon can count no fewer than 18 different religious communities, 13 of them Christian, four Islamic and a tiny Jewish community. The largest Catholic Christian faction is the Maronites, while the others are: Greek-Melkite, Armenian, Syrian, Roman, Chaldean and Coptic. The non-Catholic faiths practised are Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Assyrian, Protestant and Orthodox Coptic.The biggest community is Shiite Muslim, while the other Islamic divisions, Sunni, Druze and Alawite or Nusayri are also present. Lebanon is the only predominantly Arab country to be led by a Christian president. Recent History: Ruled by a League of Nations mandate under French administration in 1920, Lebanon became independent in 1943. In April 1975, civil war broke out setting Muslims and left-wing groups, backed by the Palestinian resistance, against the milita, Christian parties and anti-Palestinian interests who were fighting to keep the status quo under which power was shared between Muslim and Christian. The Syrian army began its long occupation of Lebanon in June 1976 and Israel invaded the country in March 1978. Despite a partial withdrawal the Israelis occupied the a large part of Lebanon and Beiirut in 1982, forcing the Palestine Liberation Organization, its leader Yasser Arafat and the Syrian army to leave Beirut. Israel withdrew from most of the country in June 1985 but still occupied a strip of land in the south of Lebanon, although the pull-back was accompanied by fierce inter-religious fighting which lasted until the end of the civil war in October 1990. The peace was brokered in 1989 in Taef, Saudi Arabia, and the agreement bears the name of the town. At the end of the fighting, General Michel Aoun, head of the Christian military government, was ousted in a push orchestrated jointly by the Syrian and Lebanese armies and he was forced into exile in France. Israel finally withdrew from southern Lebanon in May 2000. Last September, the United Nations adopted Resolution 1559, calling for a total withdrawal of foreign troops from Lebanon, clearly aimed at Syria. Mass anti-Syrian demonstrations, backed by US and UN pressure, led Damascus to withdraw all its troops from Lebanon by the end of April, thereby ending 29 years of military and political dominance. Government: A parliamentary republic presided over by Emile Lahoud since 1998. In September 2004, at the behest of Syria, an "exceptional" constituional amendment was passed, allowing Lahoud, a close ally of Damascus, to seek a further presidential mandate beyond the single six-year term specified by law. The powers of the president, traditionally a Maronite, were restricted by Constitutional reforms in September 1990, handing a greater say in the running of the country to the government and the prime minister, a Sunni Muslim, and gave Muslims and Christians an equal share of seats in the 128-member parliament. In October 2004, Omar Karameh became premier and formed a new 30-member cabinet after the resignation of Rafiq Hariri in protest at the dominant role of Damascus in his country. Hariri was assassinated in a bomb attack in February 2005. Later on July 19, 2005, former minister of finance and close Hariri aide Fouad Siniora formed a 24-member cabinet. Economy: Currency: the pound. GDP per capita: 4,040 US dollars (World Bank 2003). Growth in 2004: 5 percent Inflation in 2004: 4 percent Exports in 2004: 1.747 billion US dollars (a 14.6 percent increase on 2003). Public debt at end of 2004: 35.86 billion US dollars. Military: 72,000 men- A UN interim force (UNFIL) of nearly 2,000 men has been stationed in southern Lebanon since 1978. Major armed groups- Hezbollah is said to have over 30,000 regular fighters backed by a $billion yearly budget from Iran.- Palestinians are fully armed with small to medium range weapons and are able challenge the Lebanese authority inside and outside camps in Sidon area, west Biqaa's borders with Syria and north Lebanon's Bedawi and Nahr Al Bared camps.

:Phoenician civilization has played an important role in the discovery of the alphabet and transfer to the world.when we mention Saidun Phoenician,must remember with great civilizational role by the city in the country of Greece.is the publication of the alphabet,This is confirmed by the accounts of historians of Greece,they knew begin by Saidonien who came to the country of Greece and his entourage (a) or Cadmus about 1580 s. m, which carries with alphabets and the city built and owned by Pepe. ( Isa al-Asad history of the Homs - c 1,and Said Aql : Cadmus).As for the Phoenician civilization an important role in the discovery of a purple Sabbagh and exported to the world.(article Sabbagh purple exist in the marine animals of oyster called Almoricks was bright Ahamra Bnevsjia,and use this article in the Sabbagh silk, cotton and wool touch) is the city Saidun discovered Sabbagh, purple, contrary to what was stated that the pictures are Mcchfth (Mount found full of these bivalves in the spirit of the father built on the shore south of Sidon, dating to the early second millennium before Christ, while the Purple regarding factories that has given risel Tire back to the twelfth century BC only).Saidonion and are the first of Astana particularly transparent glass to set up an industry labs task,The factories in Saidun and Sarafand months labs of its kind in the world known at the time,In museums of Europe now manufactures many of the colored glass Saidun beautiful,Saidonion also excelled in the manufacture wares were characteristic of the types of trading and the first transfer of this industry in the country of Greece.also excelled in the industry, drilling and engraving poured gold, silver, and various metal products.They are the first of the cursed Ptblet streets and in the shipping industry has won a substantial portion of the glory and fame and United were earlier to board sea and the incursion.Sidon throughout history :passed Sidon Bhaqb important historical including what some saw as development and prosperity in the era of Amorion days and Assyrians, Assyrians and Faris, particularly days Hebrew and Aramean (885 - 331 s. m), which are also seen some decline in the era of the Hittites and the Egyptians,As the poet in the city of Sidon Aliathth talked more than once about the product Saidun, trade and wealth, saying :that ingenuity, skill and fame, which was the Sidonien in Sunaeahm strength and dressing and oppression, which was built not only in Syria but spread them to the farthest corners of the Earth ..."It was Sidon links many nations multi old,some of the residence, some of the rebel to extend his control,and we will try as much as possible to summarize these eras from 13:00 to the present :mentioned the advent of Jesus Christ to the city of Sidon in several locations of sanitation Angel Luke, Mark and Matthew,It stated, for example, but not exclusively, in sanitation VI of Sura :"He stayed with them and stop in the valley is the subject of the collection of his students and fans of many people and the collection of Jewish Jerusalem and the Coast Tire and Sidon, who came to listen and recover from the illness." The St. Paul the Apostle over the city of Sidon,differs down by storytellers in the history of passing by,says Professor Sheikh Ahmad Aref Zein in writing (the date of Sidon) that Paul the Apostle in Sidon over to inspect for Christians and, when going to Rome. In the Byzantine period,the country was divided into administrative reorganizations run organizations Romanian,Vingia was locked and had their pictures included Akkar, photographs and Sidon and Beirut, Byblos and Tripoli,The long Byzantine rule in our 2500 year was one of the worst eras of our national history. and in 555 m,a strong earthquake struck the city of Beirut and destroyed the Faculty of Law which completely destroyed,exclaims activity to the city of Sidon, but the earthquake of 573 m also destroyed. in 637 m took over Arab armies led by bin Abi Sufian to the city of Sidon,Ffthha breakthrough easy, and many of its people, timid,then his successor Maaouya brothers, which feared the return of the Byzantines to the city, who set about to establish a military maritime fleets in the ports of Sidon and Tire until the fleet in 1700 Warship Crew leaders Mseheion able whereby swamping Cyprus and Rhodes broken buildings Byzantines strong. Sidon has witnessed in the Umayyad era (680-750 m) intellectual renaissancee was alone, thinkers and philosophers,It has also seen a renaissance was technical engineering construction,This is in addition to their economic development where Saidawion exports to Europe and the rest of the world exports of agricultural and industrial. In the Abbasid Age (754-1098) created several small Islamic Altouloneh such as the State and Alakchideh and Hamdaniyah and the Fatimid.The country has witnessed signs of religious discrimination and racism after the caliphate moved from Damascus to Baghdad.many of the greatest revolutions and those announced by Ali bin Abdullah Balsviani known as white-flag-raising Caliph science and science journalism Wallace slogan existence,He was able to gather around him a group of supporters including Governor Sida years 812 m. The Sidon days Crusaders center of the mandate of the four states that make up the Kingdom of Jerusalem.It was governed by a narrow Count Bertrand cornering resigned to the Salibein that income Baudoin, opening in December 1110 after he spent on the garrison there. Salahuddin conciliation among opened in 1187,and after the death of leader Saladin The Crusaders returned and Ahtlohaame 1198,Sidon has been under the rule of the Crusaders period of time also admitted to the King's brother, Salah Eddin just Ayyubi Salibein right to retain in 1204.and the Muslims succeeded in 1220 to reach Sidon and held with the Crusaders Treaty provides for the sharing of the city between them to enable Muslims to pounce on Sidaame 1249 Vdkhaloha and razed the walls to the gutter. In the Mamluk era (1250 - 1516) hit Sidon considerable degree of degradation.where the Mamelukes impose exorbitant taxes, which burden the people.The abandoned by traders and whose Biotatha by continuous wars. After the Ottoman victory in the battle of Marj Dabq 1516 under the leadership of Sultan Selim, which entered the city of Aleppo then continued biography and Syrian cities have opened their doors peaceful undeclared subject and joy Balvath new and arrived at the Lebanese coastal cities came in without anyresistance and occupied Beirut, Tripoli and then Vasida and pictures. In an era Prince on Fakhreddin II (1590 - 1697),The city of Sidon, a major residential and commercial,it took Prince Fakhreddin capital of Sidon him,stimulating the flourishing trade and the foreign soldiers and broaden their trade with them, especially after it lost its commercial Tripoli Turning to foreign traders to Sidon and to Aleppo,The Sidon and Aleppo competing economic and commercial leadership in the era of Fakhreddin,One of the main reasons for the prosperity of the city in this period is the policy of Prince Fakhreddin Foreign and protection of foreign traders and messengers,on the one hand,On the other hand, the port of Sidon is natural to Damascus, Syria, through internal and Sidon - Marjayoun-Damascus highway.through natural history,it is natural for the shortest way to internal and Syria because the snow Tekavlh winter and historic castles us that based on length in strategic locations such as Beaufort Castle and the Castle Banias. In the late 1800s,transfer Ahmed Al-Jazzar Basha Ayala Center Sidon to Acre, which led to the fall of the city.and in 1791 the butcher to expel foreign traders of Sidon,This was the reason for the emergence of Beirut as an important trading and featured extensively in the trade relations with Europe instead of Sidon. 1837 plagued Sidon calamity severe earthquake struck by demolishing a large chunk of time and revived a number of people. UNDCP Suleiman Pasha, the French commander, Ibrahim Pasha, Assistant to extend aid to extendsoft,It is the renewal of dilapidated buildings and give the injured and afflicted donations,He was also ordered to inform the city fence on the land,Thus was able to remove the city from Aatharha and restore life to it. in 1840,The Prince Bashir Al-Shihabi great final viewing of the mountain from the port city, heading to Malta Msdla Sattar, winding up a ruling Al-Shihabi Sidon. in 1860,the Sidon refuge for a large number of Alvahin who fled ethnic massacres at the time and sought shelter in the Khan Farang delay of whom was killed. since the early 1800s, the city grow and prosper commercially, culturally and economically.even now, before the First World War the port of developing Syrian and Lebanese alike. during the First World War,Sidon suffered from hunger and disease spread typhus.also commented to one of her sons, the late Tawfiq rug on the gallows with his brothers Shahdaevi Tower Plaza in Beirut on May 6, 1916,As the British army arrived off the outskirts of Sidon in 1918,the late Riyad al - with a number of young people entering government House Street on the old. Saritha Arab Science and declared the end of Ottoman rule in the South and advocated Riyad al-Chairman of the Arab interim government, which in turn fell after the entry of the French to the city of Sidon and annexed to the State of Greater Lebanon in 1920. in 1943,Following the arrest of French independence figures, including Riad al-Bey (son of Sidon) launched the biggest demonstration occurred in the city from the gate Shakrih has involved thousands of locals, students and the demonstrators arrived to return So the French representative government center, where the battle between the French army and the unarmed demonstratorsThey were then detained the 43 dead and wounded. evening 1956,a terrible earthquake struck the city of Sidon and its environs led to disrupt more homes old,then the interest of building public housing reconstruction has been distributed to eligible modern role through several stages. in 1963,discovered in Sidon inside the Cave of the Tablon nine Nwaois Antropouid structures reflected from the Phoenician era Greek back to the fourth century BC. It was found under one of these Alnwaois in a tomb carved in stone,skeleton of a woman from the fifth century BC,tend to be a princess,by all Helaha - Badi crown of gold over her head and holding of gold bracelets and rings and hours of gold and precious stones all over the accuracy of manufacturing industry's most skilled jewelers and then Khlakhal in the ankles,The women on the modern form of metal polished,and Hangeor of metal Balekhal full benefit because the district used elegant woman in this day,Finally, the Statue of pottery on the image and the form of Helaha think that decision in haste the day of her death. Since the post-independence period, until the present day,Sidon and flourish, day after day, and develop trade and economic, health, cultural,It triggered social movements, cultural associations and schools handcrafts,as many hospitals and medical centers and the number of engineers, doctors, pharmacists,apart from their figures the most important thinkers and writers, politicians and upright on the launch Riyad al-Bek,This will make the city of Sidon third Lebanese cities in terms of importance and the capital of the South Lebanon