Social Issues - Lebanon

Lebanon is a small mountainous country in Western Asia that is bordered by Syria in the north and the east, and Israel in the South. Jordan, Turkey, and Cyprus as well are the other three countries surrounding Lebanon. Lebanon was also mentioned in the bible as “the land of milk and honey”. “Paris of the east” is what Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, is known for. Keanu Reeves is one of the famous artists that were born in Beirut. Shakira who is a well known singer is also half-Lebanese.

In 1943, Lebanon has gained its independency. First, between the years 1943-1948, many circumstances appeared. The most important was the Arab-Israeli war over the rights to territory in the Middle East. Second, Tension reached it peak in 1975, when members of radical christen group attacked and killed a bus full of Palestinians. That was a reason for many Muslims to leave the country with help of Syria. Third, in 1982, the Israeli army attacked Beirut with a goal of removing the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. It also had many civil wars but at 1989 a peace deal was signed between Lebanese leaders. The civil war affected its people and its economy. Around 150,000-200,000 people died, 300,000 were wounded and a quarter of the population left the country. For years the economy was paralysed.

Nowadays, the economy in Beirut is recovering. The US shopping malls are all over the economy and building cranes are everywhere. The United Arab Emirates is sending some money to Beirut to help them retain there position which they did as one of the most modern cities in the Arab world. Some other problems, such as air pollution and traffic jams, are faced by the country.