Beirut is the capital of Lebanon. Beirut is the largest city in the country and the main political, economic, and cultural center as it is built on almost a peninsula that runs along the Mediterranean Sea. The city has a long history dating back thousands of years since it is considered one of the oldest constantly inhabited cities in the world.
Key Facts About the Capital of Lebanon
| Attribute | Detail |
| City Name | Beirut (Bayrūt) |
| Country | Lebanese Republic (Lebanon) |
| Location | Eastern Mediterranean Coast |
| Estimated Population | 2.4 Million (Greater Beirut Area) |
| Official Language | Arabic (French & English widely spoken) |
| Currency | Lebanese Pound (LBP) |
An Overview of Beirut: Capital of Lebanon
Beirut (Arabic: بيروت, Bayrūt) is the capital and the biggest city in the Lebanese Republic. It located in the mid point of the Lebanon’s Mediterranean coast and serves as the major port of Lebanon. The city has been and remains a key commercial, banking and cultural hub in the Levant region historically and in the present day.
Where is Beirut Located?
The city of Beirut is located on a west-facing peninsula into the Mediterranean Sea, and done on the east by a range called Mount Lebanon. This stronghold location on the coast has seen it being a critical maritime center of connection between the East and the West over millennia.
Population and Demographics
Although there are few official censuses in the city of Lebanon, demographic estimates show that there are about 2.2 to 2.4 million residents in the Greater Beirut area. This population constitutes about 40 percent of the total population of Lebanon. The city is most diverse with the abundance of a multi-ethnic mix of Muslim and Christian population.
The Rich History of Beirut
Beirut has a glorious historical presence. Archaeological finds indicate that it has been in continuously inhabited for more than 5,000 years. The name of this city reflects the Canaanite-Phoenician word be'erot (meaning: the wells) which is an allusion to the fact that underground water table was easily obtained in the area.
Throughout the centuries, the city has been influenced by the Phoenicians, Romans, Mamluks, Ottomans, and the French who left the an indelible mark on the city’s architectural and cultural layers.
Which Country is Known as the Cradle of Civilization?
Why is it Called the "Paris of the Middle East"?
There was a golden period in Beirut after the independence of Lebanon following World War II. The city won the reputation of the ‘Paris of the Middle East’ due to its booming banking industry, intellectual freedom, night life, and heavy French cultural influence. Although the Lebanese Civil war (1975-1990) badly damaged the city, reconstruction work has largely reinstated most of its architectural splendor.
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