James Baquet

The ancient and modern nation of Lebanon lies between the busy Mediterranean Sea and the vast expanses of the Arabian Peninsula. Syria wraps around its north and east sides; Israel lies to the south. Some 200 kilometers or so to the northwest is the island of Cyprus.

The smallest country on the Asian continent (though at its very western edge), Lebanon has a surprisingly diverse culture given its location. Its 6,000,000 or so people — nominally Arab, though from a rich melange of ethnicities--practice a wider range of religions than in any other Middle Eastern country. Still a majority Muslim nation at 54 percent, it is also 40 percent Christian and over 5 percent Druze (a monotheistic religion which nevertheless believes in reincarnation and studies the dialogues of Plato). Numerous small groups such as Jews, Buddhists and Hindus also dwell there.

Archeological evidence places civilizations in Lebanon over 7,000 years ago, and there are numerous references in the Bible. The Canaanite and Phoenician peoples were occupied by the Romans in 64 B.C., and Christians soon followed, sustaining their culture through the later Muslim regimes. The Ottomans were there from 1516 to 1918; then came French oversight, and independence in 1943.

The modern state of Lebanon was founded in 1945. The political system is unique; it is called “confessionalism,” though it is not to be confused with systems of the same name in other countries. In this system, seats in the legislature and government are apportioned among various religious groups according to agreed-upon numbers, since the actual membership of various groups is uncertain.

The nation has the highest Human Development Index in the Arab world, as well as the highest GDP per capita. Until the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), it was considered a bright spot of international culture in the region, earning it the nickname “Switzerland of the East.” Its capital, Beirut, was called the “Paris of the Middle East.” While Arabic is the national language, French is still officially recognized.

Vocabulary:

Which word above means:

1. the idea that people can live many lives, one after another

2. created, established

3. in name at least

4. mixture

5. supervision

6. divided up and distributed

7. wide spaces

8. study of items dug out of the earth

9. maintaining, keeping up

10. conversations, often used as a teaching device