Page last updated on February 3, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French demarcated the region of Lebanon in 1920 and granted this area independence in 1943. Since independence the country has been marked by 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 that resulted in an estimated 120,000 fatalities, was followed by years of social and political instability. Sectarianism is a key element of Lebanese political life. Neighboring Syria has long influenced Lebanon's foreign policy and internal policies, and its military occupied Lebanon from 1976 until 2005. The Lebanon-based Hizballah militia and Israel continued attacks and counterattacks against each other after Syria's withdrawal, and fought a brief war in 2006. Lebanon's borders with Syria and Israel remain unresolved.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
33 50 N, 35 50 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Middle East
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 10,400 sq km
country comparison to the world: 170
land: 10,230 sq km
water: 170 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 454 km
border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
225 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Qornet es Saouda 3,088 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 10.72%
permanent crops: 12.06%
other: 77.22% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,040 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.5 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1.31 cu km/yr (29%/11%/60%)
per capita: 316.8 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
dust storms, sandstorms
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Nahr el Litani is the only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, and ethnicity
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Lebanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Lebanese
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
note: many Christian Lebanese do not identify themselves as Arab but rather as descendents of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be called Phoenicians
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Muslim 59.7% (Shia, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri), Christian 39% (Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Melkite Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Chaldean, Assyrian, Coptic, Protestant), other 1.3%
note: 17 religious sects recognized
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,131,583 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 22.1% (male 467,416/female 445,352)
15-24 years: 17.5% (male 368,097/female 353,518)
25-54 years: 42.4% (male 844,217/female 906,795)
55-64 years: 8.7% (male 165,271/female 193,312)
65 years and over: 9.4% (male 178,080/female 209,525) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 41.8 %
youth dependency ratio: 29.5 %
elderly dependency ratio: 12.3 %
potential support ratio: 8.1 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 30.9 years
male: 29.7 years
female: 32.1 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.04% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.79 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.73 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-8.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 87.2% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 0.86% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
BEIRUT (capital) 1.909 million (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 131
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14.81 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 112
male: 14.98 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 14.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 75.46 years
country comparison to the world: 94
male: 73.86 years
female: 77.13 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.75 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
58% (2004)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.3% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 100
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.54 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.5 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,600 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27.4% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 40
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.2% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 96
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.7% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 167
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 89.6%
male: 93.4%
female: 86% (2007 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2011)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 54,387
percentage: 7 % (2000 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 16.8%
country comparison to the world: 76
male: 14.6%
female: 22.3% (2009)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Lebanese Republic
conventional short form: Lebanon
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah
local short form: Lubnan
former: Greater Lebanon
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Beirut
geographic coordinates: 33 52 N, 35 30 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Beqaa, Beyrouth (Beirut), Liban-Nord, Liban-Sud, Mont-Liban, Nabatiye
note: two new governorates - Aakkar and Baalbek-Hermel - have been legislated but not yet implemented
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 22 November (1943)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
drafted 15 May 1926, adopted 23 May 1926; amended several times, last in 2004 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of civil law based on the French civil code, Ottoman legal tradition, and religious laws covering personal status, marriage, divorce, and other family relations of the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian communities
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary education; excludes military personnel
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
note: following the resignation of Prime Minister Najib MIQATI and his Cabinet on 22 March 2013, the government is in caretaker status until a new prime minister is named and a new cabinet is formed
chief of state: President Michel SULAYMAN (since 25 May 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Najib MIQATI (since 7 July 2011), Deputy Prime Minister Samir MOQBIL (since 7 July 2011)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and members of the National Assembly
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 25 May 2008 (next to be held in 2014); the prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly
election results: Michel SULAYMAN elected president; National Assembly vote - 118 for, 6 abstentions, 3 invalidated; 1 seat unfilled due to death of incumbent
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Nuwab (Arabic) or Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 7 June 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by group - March 8 Coalition 54.7%, March 14 Coalition 45.3%; seats by group - March 14 Coalition 71; March 8 Coalition 57; seats by party following 16 July 2012 byelection held to fill one seat - March 14 Coalition 72, March 8 Coalition 56
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Court of Cassation or Supreme Court (organized into 4 divisions, each with a presiding judge and 2 associate judges); Constitutional Council (consists of 10 members)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation judges appointed by Supreme Judicial Council, headed by the chief justice, and includes other judicial officials; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Council members appointed - 5 by the Council of Ministers and 5 by parliament; members serve 5-year terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal (6); Courts of First Instance; specialized tribunals, religious courts; military courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14 March Coalition:
8 March Coalition:
Independent:
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Maronite Church [Patriarch Bishara al-Ra'i]
other: note - most sects retain militias and a number of militant groups operate in Palestinian refugee camps
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Antoine CHEDID (since 4 June 2008)
chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6300
FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324
consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador David HALE (since 6 September 2013)
embassy: Awkar, Lebanon (Awkar facing the Municipality)
mailing address: P. O. Box 70-840, Antelias, Lebanon; from US: US Embassy Beirut, 6070 Beirut Place, Washington, DC 20521-6070
telephone: [961] (4) 542600, 543600
FAX: [961] (4) 544136
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white (middle, double width), and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree centered in the white band; the red bands symbolize blood shed for liberation, the white band denotes peace, the snow of the mountains, and purity; the green cedar tree is the symbol of Lebanon and represents eternity, steadiness, happiness, and prosperity
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
cedar tree
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Kulluna lil-watan" (All Of Us, For Our Country!)
lyrics/music: Rachid NAKHLE/Wadih SABRA
note: adopted 1927; the anthem was chosen following a nationwide competition
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Lebanon has a free-market economy and a strong laissez-faire commercial tradition. The government does not restrict foreign investment; however, the investment climate suffers from red tape, corruption, arbitrary licensing decisions, complex customs procedures, high taxes, tariffs, and fees, archaic legislation, and weak intellectual property rights. The Lebanese economy is service-oriented; main growth sectors include banking and tourism. The 1975-90 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and derailed Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. Following the civil war, Lebanon rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily - mostly from domestic banks - saddling the government with a huge debt burden. Pledges of economic and financial reforms made at separate international donor conferences during the 2000s have mostly gone unfulfilled, including those made during the Paris III Donor Conference in 2007 following the July 2006 war. The collapse of the government in early 2011 over its backing of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and unrest in neighboring Syria slowed economic growth to the 1-2% range in 2011-12, after four years of 8% average growth. In September 2011 the Cabinet endorsed a bill that would provide $1.2 billion in funding to improve Lebanon''s downtrodden electricity sector, but fiscal limitations will test the government''s ability to invest in other areas, such as water.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$62.5 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$40.78 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$15,600 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
29.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 81.5%
government consumption: 15.2%
investment in fixed capital: 32.9%
exports of goods and services: 19.2%
imports of goods and services: -48.8%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 4.6%
industry: 19.6%
services: 75.8% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco; sheep, goats
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
banking, tourism, food processing, wine, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metal fabricating
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.481 million
country comparison to the world: 130
note: in addition, there are as many as 1 million foreign workers (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $9.396 billion
expenditures: $13.32 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-9.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
119.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
note: data cover central government debt, and exclude debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.25% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.712 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$97.04 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$75.76 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$10.16 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 68
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-1.663 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.615 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
jewelry, base metals, chemicals, miscellaneous consumer goods, fruit and vegetables, tobacco, construction minerals, electric power machinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
South Africa 19.3%, Switzerland 12.2%, Saudi Arabia 8%, UAE 7.9%, Syria 6.6%, Iraq 4.7% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$20.33 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat and live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 11.2%, Italy 8.6%, China 8.3%, France 7.2%, Germany 5.6%, Turkey 4.5%, Greece 4.2% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$52.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$25.16 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Lebanese pounds (LBP) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.81 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.19 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.245 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.314 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
87.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 151
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
106,700 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
120,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
150 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
150 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 157
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.45 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
878,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 81
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 122
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: repair of the telecommunications system, severely damaged during the civil war, now complete
domestic: two mobile-cellular networks provide good service; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 961; submarine cable links to Cyprus, Egypt, and Syria; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean); coaxial cable to Syria (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 TV stations, 1 of which is state-owned; more than 30 radio stations, 1 of which is state-owned; satellite and cable TV services available; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible through partner stations (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.lb
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
64,926 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 91
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 99
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 160
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
gas 88 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 401 km
country comparison to the world: 116
standard gauge: 319 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 82 km 1.050-m gauge
note: rail system unusable because of the damage done during fighting in the 1980s and in 2006 (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 6,970 km (includes 170 km of expressways) (2005)
country comparison to the world: 145
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 29
country comparison to the world: 85
by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 7, carrier 17, vehicle carrier 1
foreign-owned: 2 (Syria 2)
registered in other countries: 34 (Barbados 2, Cambodia 5, Comoros 2, Egypt 1, Georgia 1, Honduras 2, Liberia 1, Malta 6, Moldova 1, Panama 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Sierra Leone 2, Togo 6, unknown 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Beirut, Tripoli
container port(s) (TEUs): Beirut (1,034,249)
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Lebanese Army ((Al Jaysh al Lubnani) includes Lebanese Navy (Al Quwwat al Bahiriyya al Lubnaniya), Lebanese Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Lubnaniya)) (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17-30 years of age for voluntary military service; 18-24 years of age for officer candidates; no conscription (2013)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,081,016
females age 16-49: 1,115,349 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 920,825
females age 16-49: 941,806 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 36,856
female: 35,121 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.04% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 30
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lacking a treaty or other documentation describing the boundary, portions of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shab'a Farms area in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights; the roughly 2,000-strong UN Interim Force in Lebanon has been in place since 1978
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 6,516 (Iraq) (2012); 441,543 (Palestinian refugees (UNRWA)) (2013); 902,247 (Syria) (2014)
IDPs: at least 47,000 (1975-90 civil war, 2007 Lebanese security forces' destruction of Palestinian refugee camp) (2011)
Trafficking in persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
current situation: Lebanon is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Eastern European women and children are transported through Lebanon for sexual exploitation in other Middle Eastern countries; women from Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Kenya, Bangladesh, Nepal, Madagascar, Congo, Togo, Cameroon, and Nigeria are recruited by agencies to work in domestic service but are often subject to conditions indicative of forced labor, including the withholding of passports, nonpayment of wages, restricted movement, threats, and abuse; Lebanon's artiste visa program enabling women to work as dancers for three months in the adult entertainment industry sustains a significant sex trade; anecdotal information indicates some Lebanese children are victims of forced labor, such as street begging and commercial sexual exploitation; Syrian refugee women and children in Lebanon are at increased risk of sex trafficking
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Lebanon does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government conducts investigations of human trafficking and possibly some prosecutions but for another year did not report convicting any trafficking offenders or officials complicit in human trafficking; the government continues to lack a formal system for identifying victims and does not have a policy to protect victims from being punished for crimes committed as a direct result of being trafficked; NGOs, rather than the government, provide victim assistance and protection (2013)