Map of Lebanon
Lebanon is a country in Asia with its capital at Beirut, home to about 5.85 million people across 10,452 km². The interactive map below plots 6 cities and towns, 1 rivers, 2 mountain summits and 1 ports recorded for Lebanon in YearMaps.
- Population
- 5.85 million
- Area
- 10,452 km²
- Capital
- Beirut
- Continent
- Asia
Interactive Map of Lebanon
Centred on Beirut at 33.8739° N, 35.5078° E. Use the layer panel to switch on rivers, dams, ports, peaks and historical borders.
About Lebanon
Lebanon, officially the Lebanese Republic, is a country in the Levant region of West Asia. Situated at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian Peninsula, it is bordered by Syria to the north and east, Israel to the south, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west; Cyprus lies a short distance from the coastline. Lebanon has a population of more than five million and an area of 10,452 square kilometres (4,036 sq mi). Beirut is the country's capital and largest city.
Human habitation in Lebanon dates to 5000 BC. From 3200 to 539 BC, it was part of Phoenicia, a maritime civilization that spanned the Mediterranean Basin. In 64 BC, the region became part of the Roman Empire and the subsequent Byzantine Empire. After the seventh century, it came under the rule of different Arab Islamic caliphates, including the Rashidun, Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates. The 11th century saw the establishment of Christian Crusader states, which fell to the Ayyubids and the Mamluks. Lebanon came under Ottoman rule in the early 16th century. Under Ottoman sultan Abdulmejid I, the first Lebanese proto-state, the Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate, was established as a home for Maronite Christians, as part of the Tanzimat reforms.
After the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire following World War I, Lebanon came under the Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon, administered by France, which established Greater Lebanon. By 1943, Lebanon had gained independence from Free France and established a distinct form of confessional government, with the state's major religious groups being apportioned specific political powers. The new Lebanese state was relatively stable, but this was ultimately shattered by the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990). Lebanon was also subjugated by two military occupations: Syria from 1976 to 2005 and Israel from 1985 to 2000. It has been the scene of several conflicts with Israel, of which the ongoing war marks the fourth Israeli invasion since 1978.
Lebanon is a developing country, ranked 102nd on the Human Development Index. It has been classified as a lower-middle-income country. The Lebanese liquidity crisis, coupled with nationwide corruption and disasters such as the 2020 Beirut explosion, precipitated the collapse of Lebanon's currency and fomented political instability, widespread resource shortages, and high unemployment and poverty. The World Bank has defined Lebanon's economic crisis as one of the world's worst since the 19th century.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia: Lebanon (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Geography and Climate of Lebanon
As a result of its location at the crossroads of three continents, the area that is modern-day Lebanon is rich in cultural and religious diversity. This region was subject to various foreign conquerors for much of its history, including the Romans, Arabs, and Ottomans. Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. From it the French demarcated the region of Lebanon in 1920, and it gained independence in 1943. Lebanon subsequently experienced periods of political turmoil interspersed with prosperity built on its position as a regional center for finance and trade. The country's 1975-90 civil war, which resulted in an estimated 120,000 fatalities, was followed by years of social and political instability, and sectarianism remains a key element of Lebanese political life. The Israeli defense forces, which occupied parts of Lebanon during the civil war, did not completely withdraw until 2000. Neighboring Syria influenced Lebanon's foreign and domestic policies while its military occupied Lebanon from 1976 until 2005, but its influence diminished significantly after 2005. Over 1.5 million Syrian refugees fled to Lebanon after the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011. Hizballah -- a major Lebanese political party, militia, and US-designated foreign terrorist organization -- and Israel continued attacks and counterattacks against each other after Syria's withdrawal and fought a brief war in 2006. After HAMAS attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, the intensity and frequency of these cross-border attacks increased substantially into a cycle of hostilities, mostly limited to the border areas as of January 2024. Lebanon's borders with Syria and Israel remain unresolved. Lebanon's prosperity has significantly diminished since the beginning of the country's economic crisis in 2019, which has crippled its economy, shut down its previously lucrative banking sector, reduced the value of its currency, and caused many Lebanese to emigrate in search of better prospects.
- Location
- Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria.
- Climate
- Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; the Lebanon Mountains experience heavy winter snows.
- Terrain
- Narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains.
- Highest point
- Qornet es Saouda 3,088 m.
- Lowest point
- Mediterranean Sea 0 m.
- Coastline
- 225 km.
- Land borders
- Total: 484 km; border countries: Israel 81 km; Syria 403 km.
- Natural resources
- Limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land.
- Land use
- Agricultural land: 65.9% (2023 est.); arable land: 13.1% (2023 est.); permanent crops: 13.7% (2023 est.); permanent pasture: 39.1% (2023 est.); forest: 13.8% (2023 est.); other: 20.3% (2023 est.)
- Natural hazards
- Earthquakes; dust storms, sandstorms.
- Geographic note
- Smallest country in continental Asia; Nahr el Litani is the only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary.
- Languages
- Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian.
- Religions
- Muslim 67.8% (31.9% Sunni, 31.2% Shia, smaller percentages of Alawites and Ismailis), Christian 32.4% (Maronite Catholics are the largest Christian group), Druze 4.5%, very small numbers of Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists, and Hindus (2020 est.)
- Ethnic groups
- Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%.
- Economy
- Lower middle-income Middle Eastern economy; hyperinflation and sharp poverty increases; banks have ceased lending; economic contraction, destroyed infrastructure, and reduced consumer demand resulting from Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
From the CIA World Factbook (public domain), archived edition of 2026-01-22. The Factbook is no longer updated, so figures reflect that edition.
Lebanon in Numbers
- Population
- 5.85 million
- GDP
- US$26.0 billion
- GDP per person
- US$4,473
- Life expectancy
- 77.9 years
- Population growth
- 0.75% a year
- Population density
- 568 per km²
- Urban population
- 91.0%
- Surface area
- 10,452 km²
- Forest cover
- 13.8%
- Arable land
- 10.8%
- Access to electricity
- 100.0%
- Internet users
- 80.6%
Indicators from World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). The year under each figure is its reference year.
Lebanon in Depth
History
The Natufian culture was the first to become sedentary at around 12000 BC.
Evidence of early settlement in Lebanon was found in Byblos, considered among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The evidence dates back to earlier than 5000 BC. Archaeologists discovered remnants of prehistoric huts with crushed limestone floors, primitive weapons, and burial jars left by the Neolithic and Chalcolithic fishing communities who lived on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea over 7,000 years ago.
Lebanon was part of northern Canaan, and consequently became the homeland of Canaanite descendants, the Phoenicians, a seafaring people based in the coastal strip of the northern Levant who spread across the Mediterranean in the first millennium BC.
Geography
Lebanon is located in West Asia between latitudes 33° and 35° N and longitudes 35° and 37° E. Its land straddles the "northwest of the Arabian Plate". The country's surface area is 10,452 square kilometres (4,036 sq mi) of which 10,230 square kilometres (3,950 sq mi) is land. Lebanon has a coastline and border of 225 kilometres (140 mi) on the Mediterranean Sea to the west, a 375 kilometres (233 mi) border shared with Syria to the north and east and a 79 kilometres (49 mi) long border with Israel to the south. The border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights is disputed by Lebanon in a small area called Shebaa Farms.
Lebanon is divided into four distinct physiographic regions: the coastal plain, the Lebanon mountain range, the Beqaa Valley and the Anti-Lebanon Mountains.
Economy
Lebanon's constitution states that 'the economic system is free and ensures private initiative and the right to private property'. Lebanon's economy follows a laissez-faire model. Most of the economy is dollarized, and the country has no restrictions on the movement of capital across its borders. The Lebanese government's intervention in foreign trade is minimal. The Investment Development Authority of Lebanon was established with the aim of promoting investment in Lebanon. In 2001, Investment Law No.360 was enacted to reinforce the organisation's mission.
Lebanon is now suffering the worst economic crisis in decades. As of 2023, the GDP has shrunk by 40% since 2018, and the currency has experienced a significant depreciation of 95%.
Demographics
Lebanon had an estimated population of 5,592,631 in 2021, with the number of Lebanese nationals estimated at 4,680,212 in July; however, no official census has been conducted since 1932 due to the sensitive confessional political balance between Lebanon's various religious groups.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Lebanon (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Lebanon: Key Facts
| Currency | Lebanese pound |
|---|---|
| Official language | Arabic |
| Head of state | Joseph Aoun |
| Head of government | Nawaf Salam |
| Form of government | parliamentary republic |
| Calling code | +961 |
| Internet domain | .lb |
| Highest point | Qurnat as Sawda' |
| Lowest point | Mediterranean Sea |
| Established | 22 November 1943 |
Facts from Wikidata Q822 (CC0).
History of Lebanon: Empires and States
The atlas records 36 polities whose mapped territory included part of Lebanon, from Akkadian Empire in 2300 BCE to 2024 CE. They are listed in the order they first appear.
Historical Maps of Lebanon
Lebanon on the world map in each year one of these states held it:
Derived by testing mapped cities against dated territorial polygons. Dates are when the polygons cover this place, not the polity's whole lifespan, and polities absent from the source dataset are not listed.
Visiting Lebanon
Lebanon (Arabic: لبنان, French: Liban) is a country in the Middle East, on the Mediterranean Sea. Rich in diversity and history, Lebanon has hosted the Roman Empire, the Crusades, the Ottoman Empire, and was, for a period of time, controlled by France. The majority of Lebanese are Arabs, as are most of the Palestinians and Syrians living there, but there are also small communities of Assyrians, Armenians and Kurds. Lebanese cuisine is among the most famous of all Middle Eastern cuisines.
Lebanon has been in a state of flux since the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1990, and it continues to face numerous economic difficulties. That aside, the country has plenty to offer to the traveller: vineyards, nightclubs, ski resorts, and numerous historical and cultural attractions.
Travel notes adapted from Wikivoyage: Lebanon (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Largest Cities in Lebanon
6 cities recorded. Ranked by metropolitan population. A port city's harbour is written up on the page of its sea.
| # | Name | Population | Region | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beirut | 1.85 million | Beirut | National capital |
| 2 | Trablous | 530,000 | North Lebanon | Populated place |
| 3 | Saida | 173,894 | South Lebanon | Admin-1 capital |
| 4 | Nabatiye et Tahta | 80,000 | An Nabatiyah | Admin-1 capital |
| 5 | Zahlé | 78,145 | Mount Lebanon | Admin-1 capital |
| 6 | B'abda | 9,000 | Mount Lebanon | Admin-1 capital |
Highest Mountains in Lebanon
2 mountains recorded. Ranked by summit elevation above sea level. A summit on a border is listed under both countries.
| # | Name | Elevation | Feet | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qurnat as Sawdā | 3,088 m | 10,131 ft | Asia |
| 2 | Jabal ash Shaykh | 2,814 m | 9,232 ft | Asia |
Qurnat as Sawdā
Mountain · 3,088 m
Qurnat as Sawdā is a mountain rising to 3,088 metres (10,131 ft) in Lebanon, in the Asia region.
Qurnat as Sawdā (Arabic: القرنة السوداء) is the highest point in Lebanon and the Levant, at 3,088 m (10,131 ft) above sea level. It is the summit of Jabal al Makmel, a mountain range in Bsharri District, North Lebanon.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Qurnat as Sawda' (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Elevation
- 3,088 m (10,131 ft)
- Global rank
- #212 of 641 indexed
- Region
- Asia (#85)
- Country
- Lebanon
- Coordinates
- 34.3145°, 36.1034°
Of the 641 named summits indexed in YearMaps, Qurnat as Sawdā ranks #212 by elevation, below Trapper Pk (3,096 m) and above Kyrkjeskipet Pk (3,085 m).
- Ranges:
- Lebanon Mountains (Asia), Taurus Mountains (Asia)
- Neighbouring summits:
- Har Meron (1,208 m), Selvili Tepe (1,023 m), Demirkazik (3,756 m)
More about Qurnat as Sawdā
Climate
Qurnat as Sawda has a Mediterranean-influenced subarctic climate (Köppen: Dsc), experiencing warm to cool dry summers, and cold snowy winters. The area receives significant annual precipitation, especially during the winter months, averaging between 1100–1400 mm. In some years, against odds, remnants of snow can persist through the summer months.Uninhibited Wind Exposure: Positioned atop an isolated, high-altitude plateau, the summit lacks natural windbreaks or forest canopy. Constant, high-velocity westerly and northerly winds drive down perceived temperatures through rapid convective cooling and wind chill.
Hiking and tourism
Qurnat al Sawda is a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers, with several hiking trails leading to the summit. The area also attracts tourists who come to admire the stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the Mediterranean Sea and the Bekaa Valley. There are also several villages and towns in the vicinity, such as Jird 40, Beqaasefrine, Bsharri, Syr and others which offer accommodations and services for visitors.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Qurnat as Sawda' (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Qurnat as Sawdā: Key Facts
| Topographic prominence | 2,393 m |
|---|---|
| Mountain range | Mount Lebanon |
Facts from Wikidata Q311330 (CC0).
Rivers in Lebanon
1 river recorded. Listed alphabetically. A river is listed where its mapped reach lies, so long rivers appear under more than one country.
| Name | Type | Also Flows Through |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan | River | Israel, Jordan, Palestine |
Ports in Lebanon
1 port recorded. Ranked by approach channel depth, the figure that limits which ships can call. Harbours link to their write-up on the page of the sea or coast they lie on.
| # | Name | Channel Depth | Class | Sea | Max Vessel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tarabulus | 34.7 m | Minor | Eastern Mediterranean | medium vessels |
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Lebanon
6 World Heritage Sites recorded. Listed by year of inscription, earliest first. Sites shared with another country appear under each.
| # | Name | Inscribed | Type | Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anjar | 1984 | Cultural | (iii) (iv) |
| 2 | Baalbek | 1984 | Cultural | (i) (iv) |
| 3 | Byblos | 1984 | Cultural | (iii) (iv) (vi) |
| 4 | Tyre | 1984 | Cultural | (iii) (vi) |
| 5 | Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab) | 1998 | Cultural | (iii) (iv) |
| 6 | Rachid Karami International Fair | 2023 | Cultural | (ii) (iv) |
Mountain Ranges, Deserts and Landforms of Lebanon
2 mountain ranges, deserts and other landforms recorded. Ranked by mapped area. Covers mountain ranges, deserts, plateaus, named glaciers, plains, basins, peninsulas and capes. One that crosses a border is listed under every country it lies in, with the area of the whole feature.
| # | Name | Area | Type | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lebanon Mountains | 3,268 km² | Range/mtn | Asia |
| 2 | Levant Coast | 2,107 km² | Coast | Asia |
Lebanon Mountains
Range/mtn · 3,268 km²
Lebanon Mountains is a range/mtn in Asia, covering an estimated 3,268 km².
Mount Lebanon is a mountain range in Lebanon. It is about 170 km (110 mi) long and averages above 2,500 m (8,200 ft) in elevation, with its peak at 3,088 m (10,131 ft). The range provides a typical alpine climate year-round.
Mount Lebanon is well-known for its snow-covered mountains, home to surviving Lebanese cedar forests and diverse high-altitude flora and fauna. The name Lebanon itself originates from the white, snow-covered tops of this mountain range.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Mount Lebanon (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Feature class
- Range/mtn
- Mapped extent
- 3,268 km²
- Size rank
- #166 of 216 mountain ranges
- Region
- Asia
- Coordinates
- 34.3516°, 36.1862°
- Summits:
- Qurnat as Sawdā (3,088 m), Har Meron (1,208 m), Selvili Tepe (1,023 m)
- Adjacent ranges:
- Taurus Mountains (Asia), Pontic Mountains (Asia)
More about Lebanon Mountains
Geography
The Mount Lebanon range extends along the entire country for about 170 km (110 mi), parallel to the Mediterranean coast. The highest peak is Qurnat as Sawda', at 3,088 m (10,131 ft). The range receives a substantial amount of precipitation, including snow, which averages around 4 m (13 ft) in depth. The Mount Lebanon range is bordered to the east by the Beqaa Valley, which separates it from the Anti-Lebanon Mountains further east.
Lebanon has historically been defined by the mountains, which provided protection for the local population. In Lebanon, changes in scenery are related less to geographical distances than to altitudes. The mountains were known for their oak and pine forests.
History
Mount Lebanon is mentioned in the Old Testament 103 times. King Hiram I of Tyre sent engineers with cedar wood, which was abundant on Mount Lebanon, to build Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. Since then, the cedar species known scientifically as Cedrus libani is often associated with Mount Lebanon. The Phoenicians used cedar to build their ships which they sailed across the Mediterranean, they were the first to establish villages on Mount Lebanon and would live from cutting down cedars and sending them to the coast. After Pompey's conquest of the region in 64 BCE, Mount Lebanon was incorporated into the new Roman province of Syria (although Tacitus later mistakenly placed the range within Judaea).
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Mount Lebanon (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Lebanon Mountains: Key Facts
| Length | 160 km |
|---|---|
| Area | 4,840 km² |
| Highest point | Qurnat as Sawda' |
Facts from Wikidata Q333711 (CC0).
Countries Bordering Lebanon
Land and maritime neighbours.
More Maps in Asia
Lebanon: Quick Answers
- What is the capital of Lebanon?
- The capital of Lebanon is Beirut.
- What is the population of Lebanon?
- Lebanon has a population of about 5.85 million, the #116 largest of 225 countries in YearMaps. Source: World Bank, 2025.
- How big is Lebanon?
- Lebanon covers 10,452 km², ranking #169 by area, with about 560 people per square kilometre.
- Which continent is Lebanon in?
- Lebanon is in Asia.
- Which countries border Lebanon?
- Lebanon shares a land or maritime border with Israel, Syria.
- What is the largest city in Lebanon?
- Beirut is the largest city in Lebanon, with a metropolitan population of about 1.85 million.
- What is the highest mountain in Lebanon?
- The highest summit recorded for Lebanon in YearMaps is Qurnat as Sawdā at 3,088 m (10,131 ft). Summits on a border are counted for both countries.