Lebanon

The country of Lebanon is located in Western Asia. Lebanon is between the Mediterranean Sea and Syria. While Syria also borders Lebanon on the north, Israel borders on the south.  The primary language is Arabic, with many also speaking French.  Other common languages include Aremenian, Greek, Hebrew, and English.

STATISTICS (taken from World Health Statistics, 2007*):

Total population: 3,577,000

Gross national income per capita (PPP international $): 5,740

Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 68/73

Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2002): 59/62

Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 30

Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 195/135

Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2004): 817

Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2004): 11.6

*Figures are for 2005 unless indicated.

Timeline:

• 3000-539 BC - Phoenicians, a maritime culture
  
• 220 AD - Roman Rule
  
• 1110-1124 - Invasion of the Crusaders
  
• 1124 - Lebanon Surrendered to the Crusaders
  
• 1124-1880 - Catholic influence since the time of the Crusaders
  
• 1880 - Combined with Syria under the Ottoman Empire
  
• World War I - Collapse of the Ottoman Empire results in the five Lebanese provices being mandated to France.
  
• 1943 - Lebanon gained Independence, establishing Confessionalism
  
• 1946 - French troops withdrew
  
• 1948 - Arab-Israeli War
  
• 1949-1975 - Years of Prosperity, based on financial power and tourism
  
• 1975-1990 - Lebanese Civil War
  
• 1990-2004 - Reconstruction
  
• 2005 - Cedar Revolution, in which Prime Minister is assassinated
  
• 2006 - Month-long War between Israel and Hezbollah
  
• 2007 - Nahr al-Bared Conflict
  
• 2008 - Doha Agreement, Reconstruction
  
• 2008-2010 - Re-establishment of financial power and tourism
• 2011 - Government Collapse
  

Getting started with Lebanon research

Unfortunately, because of damage to civil infrastructure during wartime and current political unrest, Lebanese research can be difficult to obtain.

However, there is a movement among Lebanese people in a variety of communities to organize historical records and collaborate on genealogy work.

See below, under Research for a few helpful links.

Jurisdictions

Lebanon is divided into six governorates and further subdivided into twenty-five districts.  The districts themselves are also divided into several municipalities, each enclosing a group of cities or villages:

Beirut Governorate (city of Beirut only)

Nabatieh Governorate (Jabal Amel)

• Bint Jbeil
  
• Hasbaya
  
• Marjeyoun
  
• Nabatieh
  

Beqaa Governorate

• Baalbek
  
• Hermel
  
• Rashaya
  
• Western Beqaa (al-Beqaa al-Gharbi)
  
• Zahle
  

North Governorate (al-Shamal)

• Akkar
  
• Batroun
  
• Bsharri
  
• Koura
  
• Miniyeh-Danniyeh
  
• Tripoli
  
• Zgharta
  

Mount Lebanon Governorate (Jabal Lubnan)

• Aley
  
• Baabda
  
• Byblos (Jbeil)
  
• Chouf
  
• Keserwan
  
• Matn
  

South Governorate (al-Janoub)

• Jezzine
  
• Sidon (Saida)
  
• Tyre (Sur)
  

Research Tools

The following websites and organizations are helpful in Lebanon research:

• Lebanon Genealogy Forum
• Lebanese Research
• Lebanese Newspapers

Help Wanted

In order to make this wiki a better research tool, we need your help! Many tasks need to be done. You can help by: