Lebanon is a country in
Western Asia, on the eastern
shore of the Mediterranean
Sea. It is bordered by Syria
to the north and east, and
Israel to the south.
Lebanon's location at the
crossroads of the
Mediterranean Basin and the
Arabian hinterland has
dictated its rich history,
and shaped a cultural
identity of religious and
ethnic diversity.
The earliest evidence of
civilization in Lebanon
dates back more than 7,000
years—predating recorded
history. Lebanon was the
home of the Phoenicians, a
maritime culture that
flourished for nearly 2,500
years (3000–539 BC). Bechara
El Khoury who became
independent Lebanon first
President and Riad El-Solh,
who became Lebanon's first
prime minister, are
considered the founders of
the modern Republic of
Lebanon and are national
heroes for having led the
country's independence.
French troops withdrew from
Lebanon in 1946.
