In order to understand Lebanon history it is important to look at the geography and location of the country. Lebanon is a relatively small country lying on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean. It has a coastline of 225km and is about 46km wide. Despite its size, however, Lebanon geography is varied with green, fertile valleys against a mountainous backdrop provided by the Mount Lebanon Range, the highest peak of which is Qornet Es-Saouda at 3,900metres. In fact it is the snow covered winter peaks which give the country its name as “Lubnan” is the Arabic word for white. These mountains are home to some of the only ski resorts in the Middle East boasting a skiing season which lasts from December until April. A stretch of more arid mountains, known as the Anti-Lebanon Range, forms part of Lebanon’s border with Syria.
The fertile valleys have been a major benefit to Lebanon throughout its long history and indeed have attracted people since ancient times. The Romans referred to the Bekaa Valley as “the breadbasket” of their empire and it is still Lebanon’s main agricultural area. It is situated on a plateau between the two mountainous regions and produces much of the country’s wheat, grapes and olives for although the summers there are hot and dry, the Bekaa is served by an extensive river system. The Bekaa Valley is also home to Lebanon’s best wineries and it is thought that the word Bekaa may be related to the Roman god of wine, Bacchus, as one of the largest temples built in his honor is to be found in the area.
The Lebanese coast, from which visitors to the country are never very far, has a temperate climate with hot, sunny summers and cooler, rainier winters. The coastal cities of Saida (Sidon) and Jbail (Byblos) offer tourists the chance to go snorkeling amongst the underwater ruins of the Ancient Phoenician Empire. Daytime temperatures here in the summer months hover at around 86 degrees Fahrenheit dropping to around 60 degrees in the winter whilst only a few miles away in the mountains the temperature can be below freezing.
It is certainly the topography and climate of Lebanon which, together with its position on the Mediterranean coast, led to its ancient attraction to conquering peoples and contributes to the country’s prosperity today.