Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria.
Land Area: 10,400 sq. kilometers (4,014 sq. miles)
Coastline: 225 km (140 miles)
Highest Point: Qurnat as Sawda' 3,088 km (10,128 feet)
Lowest Point: Mediterranean Sea 0 meters (0 feet)
Notable Landmarks: Take a peek...

The 1975 to 1991 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic structure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern trade center and banking hub. In the years since, Lebanon has rebuilt much of its infrastructure by borrowing heavily - mostly from domestic banks. In an attempt to reduce the ballooning national debt, the Rafiq HARIRI government began an austerity program, reining in government expenditures, increasing revenue collection, and privatizing state enterprises. In November 2002, the government met with international donors at the Paris II conference to seek bilateral assistance in restructuring its massive domestic debt at lower interest rates. Substantial receipts from donor nations stabilized government finances in 2003, but did little to reduce the debt, which stands at nearly 170 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. In 2004 the HARIRI government issued Eurobonds in an effort to manage maturing debt. Tourism remains below the level of 2004. The new Prime Minister, Fuad SINIORA, has pledged to push ahead with economic reform, including privatization and more efficient government.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $23.69 billion (2005 est.)
GDP Per Capita: $6,200 (2005 est.)
Number of Workers: 2.6 million (2005 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 18 percent (2005 est.)
Industries: : Banking, tourism, food processing, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, and metal fabricating.
Currency: Lebanese pound (LBP) What does it look like?

Type of Government: Republic
Head of State: President Emile Lahud (since 24 November 1998)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Fuad Siniora (since 30 June 2005)
Capital City: Beirut
Legal Age to Vote: 21, compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary education.
Flag Design: Three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white (middle, double width) and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree centered in the white band.
Official Language: Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian.
Religions: Muslim, 59.7 %, Christian 39%, Other 1.3%.

Following the capture of Syria from the Ottoman Empire by Anglo-French forces in 1918, France received a mandate over this territory and separated out a region of Lebanon in 1920. France granted this area independence in 1943. A 15-year civil war (1976-1991) devastated the country, but Lebanon has since made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions. Under the Ta'if Accord, the Lebanese established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater voice in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the war, Lebanon has conducted several successful elections, most militias have been disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have extended authority over about two-thirds of the country. Hizballah, a radical Shi'a organization listed by the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, retains its weapons. During Lebanon's civil war, the Arab League legitimized in the Ta'if Accord Syria's troop deployment, numbering about 16,000 based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000; however, encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as well. The passage of United National Security Council Resolution 1559 in early October 2004, a resolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon and end its interference in Lebanese affairs, further emboldened Lebanese groups opposed to Syria's presence in Lebanon. The assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI and 20 others in February 2005 led to massive demonstrations in Beirut against the Syrian presence ("the Cedar Revolution"). Syria finally withdrew the remainder of its military forces from Lebanon in April 2005. In May through June 2005, Lebanon held its first legislative elections since the end of the civil war, handing a two-thirds majority to the bloc led by Saad HARIRI, the slain prime minister's son.