Lebanon is officially the Republic of Lebanon or the Lebanese Republic, a nation in Western Asia. It is located between Syria to the north as well as eastern and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies to its west throughout the Mediterranean Sea; its place at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin as well as the Arabian hinterland has added to its abundant background and also shaped a social identification of religious diversity.

Lebanon is house to roughly six million individuals and covers a location of 10,452 square kilometres (4,036 sq mi), making it one of the tiniest countries in the world. The official language of the state is Arabic, while French is additionally officially acknowledged; the Lebanese dialect of Arabic is utilized along with Modern Standard Arabic throughout the nation.

The earliest proof of human being in Lebanon go back over 7000 years, preceding taped background. Modern Lebanon was home to the Phoenicians, a marine society that flourished for nearly 3000 years (c. 3200– 539 BCE). In 64 BCE, the Roman Realm conquered the area, and it ultimately became among the realm’s leading centers of Christianity. The Mount Lebanon array saw the introduction of a reclusive practice referred to as the Maronite Church.

Upon the region’s occupation by the very early Arab Muslims, the Maronites held onto their religious beliefs and identity. However, a brand-new spiritual group known as the Druze at some point established themselves in Mount Lebanon too, creating a religious divide that has lasted for centuries. Throughout the Campaigns, the Maronites re-established contact with the Roman Catholic Church and asserted their communion with Rome.

The Maronite Catholic and also the Druze started modern-day Lebanon in the early eighteenth century, with the judgment and also social system called the “Maronite-Druze dualism” in Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate.