Lebanon’s Economy

54 of the residents believe in Islam, mainly Shia, Sunni and Druze; 46 believe in Christianity, mainly including Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian Orthodox.

Lebanon is a very unique country. It is not like the Arab countries that most people imagine. In modern times, especially in the past 13 years, it has been an Arab country where Arab Christians dominate and various religious sects maintain a balance of power. Lebanon is a truly Western-style country in the Arab world, and its capital, Beirut, is known as the Paris of the East.

Due to its unique geographical environment, Lebanon has been a refuge for religious minorities and oppressed ethnic minorities in the Middle East since ancient times. Since the period of Arab Muslim expansion, more than a dozen sects of Christianity and Islam have gathered here. It can be said that almost all sects of the two major religions mentioned above can find their followers here. However, in the traditional mountainous areas of Lebanon, Christian Maronites and Islamic Druze dominated. Not only did they arrive early, but they also had large numbers. Therefore, by the late Ottoman Empire, the local administrative power in the mountainous areas of Lebanon was once divided between the two sects. Take turns taking charge.

After the establishment of Greater Lebanon in 1920, not only the area was greatly expanded, but the population also nearly doubled. Among this newly increased population, Shia and Sunni are the majority, both exceeding the number of Druze, thus creating today's situation in which Maronites, Shias and Sunnis are the main sects.

In addition to Arabs, the residents of Lebanon also include Armenians, Kurds, Turks and Greeks. Their religious sects add to the complexity of Lebanese ethnic and religious issues. In the parliament elected under the new constitution in 1992, only 10 sects obtained separate seats, and one seat was given to representatives of other minority groups. The Lebanese nationality of the Kurds has not yet been legally recognized and cannot participate in the election. In addition to the above three major sects and the Druze sect, there are also the Alawite sect of Islam, the Greek Catholic sect of Christianity and the Armenian Orthodox sect. Martyrs' Day (May 6)

Army Day (August 1, China's Army Day is also August 1)

Independence Day/National Day (November 1943) July 22nd)

There are many Li sects, and the important festivals of each sect are all national statutory holidays. Lebanon is deeply influenced by European and American culture, and its customs and habits are relatively open compared with other Arab countries. But some tribes still retain traditional social habits. Especially areas such as West Beirut and South Lebanon. There are many peculiar wedding customs in Lebanon, one of which is called "watering in the face".

The marriage customs of Lebanese Muslims are roughly the same as those in Egypt, Syria and other countries. People generally advocate early marriage, and Lebanon allows consanguineous marriage, a custom that continues to this day. Traditional weddings last for seven days. In Baga, when people hold weddings, they often fire guns to spread joy throughout the region. Business events require appointments, but Lebanese people don't pay much attention to punctuality. After a meal is the right time to talk business. Flowers and candies are better gifts. Do not give wine or cigarettes. Lebanese people like it when others praise their family. You can talk about buying and selling, children, education and travel. They love to hear jokes. Avoid talking about politics, religion, and relationships between men and women.

In the Ribowa region of Lebanon, what girls love most is a "knight husband". Since there are few horses in the area, the groom often rides a donkey to the bride's home. On the way, he is often "robbed" by friends ambushing him on the roadside, and he must use all his martial arts skills. The faster he escapes and returns to the bride, the higher his intelligence and martial arts will be, and the more likely he will become the bride's favorite "knight husband". Lebanese people attach great importance to bride price. Betrothal gifts are divided into the first batch of betrothal gifts and the last batch of betrothal gifts. Newspapers

Lebanon is known as the Middle East News Center. There are more than 600 newspapers and periodicals of various types across the country, including 52 political daily newspapers. The main daily newspapers include "Biantime" with a circulation of about 40,000 copies; "The Envoy" with a circulation of 50,000 copies; "The Standard" with a circulation of 62,000 copies, including 29,500 copies in Lebanon; and "Homeland" with a circulation of 1.4 10,000 copies; "Anwar Newspaper" has a circulation of 58,000 copies.

The main publications include "Event Weekly", "Arab Weekly", "Hunter", "Magazine Weekly", "Lebanon Review", "Monday Morning", etc.

News Agency

The Lebanese National News Agency is the only official news agency. It was established in 1962 and is under the leadership of the Ministry of Information. Press releases are issued daily in Arabic, English and French, and only official Lebanese domestic news is reported. The Central News Agency is a private news agency founded in September 1982. Daily reports on Lebanese domestic political, economic, business and other news are reported in Arabic. "Middle East Report" is a private news agency founded in 1977. English newsletters on Lebanese domestic and foreign news are published every day except weekends. Weekends feature summaries and news analysis. It has branches in Cairo and Washington.

Radio stations

There are more than 140 radio stations across the country, most of which are private entertainment stations. Among them, Radio Lebanon is a national radio station and is under the leadership of the Ministry of Information. Its predecessor was "Oriental Radio", which was founded in 1938. In 1962, Arabic, French, English, Spanish and Portuguese began to be used for external broadcasts. After the outbreak of the civil war, the station was forced to cease external broadcasts due to financial difficulties. The "Voice of the Motherland" radio station was founded in 1984 by the Lebanese Islamic Sunni Charitable Foundation. It broadcasts 20 hours a day, mainly in Arabic except for English news programs. The "Voice of the People" radio station was founded by the Lebanese Communist Party in 1987. It broadcasts 18 hours a day and has a news program every half hour. There are resident correspondents in Cairo, Paris, London and Moscow.

TV station

The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation TV station was established in 1985. It is a private TV station with two sets of programs, one of which is called "C33", which is mainly French-language programs. In addition to broadcasting news programs compiled by the country, it also broadcasts French-language news programs from France's "TV5" television station.

Lebanon National Television: Founded in 1978. It is owned by the Lebanese Television Company, which is only half-capitalized by the government, but the company's chairman and board members are appointed by the government. There are two sets of programs every day, each broadcasting for 10 hours. News programs are broadcast in Arabic, French and English. Education, health, cultural and entertainment programs are mainly in Arabic.

Future TV: Founded in 1992 by the late former Prime Minister Hariri, it is the second largest TV station in Lebanon. In May 2001, it merged with Saudi Arabia's MBC TV station.

Beacon TV: Founded in 1991 by Lebanese Hezbollah, it is the propaganda mouthpiece of the party. The programs are very political and religious. The Lebanese Ministry of Health is the highest government agency in charge of the health services sector. Lebanon's health and medical service system is dominated by private hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies (90), supplemented by state medical units. As of 2011, there were 164 hospitals in Lebanon, including 28 public hospitals, 135 private hospitals, and 1 military hospital. 10 patients fully paid for medical treatment at their own expense. Other patients were either fully or partially paid by government medical insurance contracts, or had relevant expenses paid by medical insurance institutions and charities.

According to statistics from the World Health Organization, Lebanon's total medical and health expenditure accounted for 7.4% of GDP in 2011. Calculated based on purchasing power parity, per capita medical and health expenditure was US$1,003. From 2006 to 2013, there were an average of 32 doctors, 28 nursing and midwifery personnel, 15 dentists, and 16 pharmacists per 10,000 people; from 2006 to 2012, there were an average of 35 hospital beds per 10,000 people. Inland transportation in Lebanon is mainly highway. In terms of international transportation, in addition to car transportation connected to neighboring countries, maritime ship transportation is also more convenient. There are three main ports: Beirut Port, Tripoli Port and Saida Port. The Port of Beirut is a major trading port, with a throughput of 5.85 million tons in 1997.

Lebanon’s transportation is mainly by sea and air, followed by roads. Anjar, Baalbek, Byblos, Tire