Local information

Lebanon with its social, cultural and religious diversity is a country full of contradictions and complexity nevertheless attractive and charming. There is a special atmosphere due to the mix between modernity and old eastern tradition.
Its capital, Beirut is very cosmopolitan and westernized. It’s a bubbly city with lots of cultural and social events, night life, sports and outdoor activities.
The Lebanese people are very friendly and hospitality is their second nature. Foreigners won’t find any difficulty in communication since the majority of Lebanese speaks either French or English. Dealing with them is also easy because they are broad-minded and people-oriented.
Warning : Despite the end of the civil war in 1990 and the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the South in 2000, visitors and foreigners should be warned that the southern border between Lebanon and Israel is still a risky area. On the other hand, a daily electricity and water rationing is still taking place.

Weather and Seasons
Lebanon enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with four seasons and a moderate weather with an average temperature of 20°C. The coastal strip has rainy and mild winters, hot and humid summers. The mountains have a typical alpine climate.

Distances 
Lebanon is a tiny country where one can drive from one end to the other in about three hours.

Practical Information
Currency : Lebanese Pound (LL)
Equivalence (30 March 2001) : 1US$ = 1507 LL 1Euro = 1322 LL
Phone code : 961 + regional code + number