Learn About The Middle East Initiative
Lebanon is located in the Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria.
Lebanon is often cited as exceptional in the Middle East for its vital pluralism and diversity. A prominent Muslim who is a member of the Arab Working Group for Christian-Muslim Dialogue says, “We Lebanese have a special background in pluralism, culturally and objectively. It is a way of life for us in Lebanon to live together.” Even so, Lebanon is still feeling the impact of its seventeen-year civil war and the effects of Israeli occupation of, and withdrawal from, the south. Physical reconstruction in Beirut is visible, even as more rural communities aspire to get back on their feet and the economy is strained.
Pray for: The many Christian communities of Lebanon and their ecumenical efforts to ensure a strong Christian presence; efforts to build upon a history of interfaith relations that has stressed national unity; the Near East School of Theology, where future generations of the region’s Protestant clergy prepare for ministry; the World Student Christian Federation and its Middle East regional office, located in Beirut; Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon.
Population (2014 est) – 5,882,562
Area – 6,462mi
Capital – Beirut
Ethnic Background
- Arab – 95%
- Armenian – 4%
- Other – 1%
Exports – jewelry, base metals, chemicals, miscellaneous consumer goods, fruit and vegetables, tobacco, construction minerals, electric power machinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper
Imports – petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat and live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals
Life Expectancy (2014 est) – M 76 years, F 79 years
Infant Mortality (2014 est) – 7.98 deaths/1,000 live births
Adult Illiteracy Rate – 10.4%
