Beirut

Corniche Promenade in western Beirut


Beirut is the capital and largest city in Lebanon. Located along the coast in central Lebanon, the city has an urban area covering 100 sq km (38.6 sq mi). Its population is around 1.9 million, with a metropolitan population of over two million people. Beirut is two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+2) and three hours during Daylight Saving Time in summer.

Beirut is the economic, cultural, transportation and financial hub of Lebanon. The city has a long history going back over five thousand years. Its name means "wells", in reference to wells dug by early inhabitants. Beirut's multi-layered history has included monuments left behind by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantine, Arabs, Crusaders and Ottomans.

The earliest mention of Beirut appears in the cuneiform tablets of ancient Egypt, dating to the 14th century BC. During the time of Christ, Beirut was under Roman rule, although the local ruler was the dynasty of Herod the Great. Arab rule of Beirut began in AD 635. Between 1110 and 1291, it was ruled by the Crusaders Kingdom of Jerusalem. Then it came under Ottoman rule until the Ottoman Empire collapsed following the First World War.

When Lebanon gained its independence in 1943, Beirut was made its capital. The era of peace was shattered by the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War, which lasted from 1975 to 1990. Since then the city has been slowly rebuilding itself into a cultural, education and travel destination of the Middle East. Sporadic violence still rears its head, as in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, but on the whole, the city appears to shifting towards peace.

Beirut experiences a Mediterranean climate. August is the hottest month, when the average high temperature climbs to 30.6°C (87°F). The coldest month is February, when the average temperature goes down to 10.6°C (51°F). The winter months are also the wettest, particularly December and January, which receive 164 mm (6.5 in) and 191 mm (7.5 in) of precipitation respectively.

Visiting Beirut

The Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport (BEY) is the main gateway into Beirut and Lebanon. Its main terminal, which opened in 2005, is one of the most modern in the Middle East. Arriving at this airport, your choice of transport is limited to taxis and private minibuses. There are no public transport such as bus or metro.

Exploring Beirut

The mode of transport available to it include taxis, shared-taxis and buses. Shared taxis, called Service, is a way to split the fare with other commuters. The fare is fixed at 2,000 L.L.

Places of Interest in Beirut

Districts of Beirut

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Please use the information on this page as guidance only. The author endeavours to update the information on this page from time to time, but regrets any inaccuracies if there be any.

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