A common misconception about the Middle East is that it is just a vast desert, but that is far from the truth! Lebanon's land is beautiful and there are many lush natural sites to admire! Location:Lebanon is a coastal country on the East Mediterranean of West Asia, in a region known as the Levant, which comprises Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and Jordan. Lebanon's land is brimming with history because of its location's ties with the biblical land of Canaan, along with many empires once claiming Lebanon as their own. Lebanon cannot be classified as desert because it simply is not dry or arid enough to fit that definition. Thanks to storms from the Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon experiences hot and humid summers, as well as cold and wet winters. Lebanon's Mountains:"Ski in the morning and swim in the afternoon" This travel slogan is not exaggerating when it comes to Lebanon's beautiful geography, where it truly is possible to go skiing and swim in the beach all in one day! Mount Lebanon (جَبَل لُبْنَان)Mount Lebanon, also known as the Lebanon Mountain Range, runs parallel to the Mediterranean Sea and is around 100 miles away from it, which means it is possible to reach the coast within 90 minutes to two hours. The mountains host many gorgeous ski resorts and are a prime travel destination to many! Biblical References:
Anti-Lebanon Mountains (جبال الشرقية)The Anti-Lebanon Mountains form the border between Lebanon and Syria, located on the far east side of Lebanon. The Arabic name جبال الشرقية means "Eastern Mountains", but the Western name of Anti-Lebanon derives from Greek and Latin word Antilibanus, because of its position opposite (-anti) and parallel to the Mount Lebanon range (Libanus). Coastal Cities:Lebanon's three major cities are all located on the West side: Tripoli in the north, Sidon in the south, and the capital city of Beirut in the middle. These cities are the primary locations that tourists visit, and they are filled with many historical and natural landmarks. Agriculture:The Beqaa Valley (وادي البقاع)The Beqaa Valley is a lush, fertile land between Lebanon's two mountain ranges and is Lebanon's most important farming area. It also hosts some of the most famous wineries in Lebanon and has been used as a source of agriculture since 1st century BC, where the Roman Empire plowed its land for grains. Cedars of God (أرز الربّ)The Cedars of God are located in the Kadisha Valley of Mount Lebanon, hosting the one of the last great cedar forests of Lebanon. The cedar tree is extremely important to Lebanon history and many people from all religious/cultural backgrounds have their own unique story of why the tree matters to them. Learn more about Lebanon's Cedar tree in my blog post discussing Lebanon's Flag! Sources:“Anti-Lebanon Mountains.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Lebanon_Mountains.
“Cedars of God.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedars_of_God. “Geography Now! LEBANON.” Performance by Paul B., Youtube, Geography Now!, youtu.be/vvgLLqpRT6s. “Kadisha Valley.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadisha_Valley. “Lebanon Is NOT a Desert.” Simply Beirut, 15 Dec. 2011, simplybeirut.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/the-topography-of-lebanon/. “Mount Lebanon.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Feb. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Lebanon.
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1. Maamoul (معمول)Usually maamoul is served around big holidays such as Easter and Eid to celebrate after a long period of fasting. They are similar to shortbread cookies, but are filled with things such as dates, such pistachios, walnuts, almonds or figs! The cookie melts in your mouth and is packed with flavor, typically rose or orange blossom water are added to the mix as well. 2. Baklava (بقلاوة)Baklava is basically thin layers of filo dough with nuts and syrup in between the layers of dough! It is a sweet and buttery dessert that is definitely one of the most popular in the entire Middle East, originating in Turkey. 3. Kanafeh (كُنافة)Kanafeh is made up of shredded filo pastry, soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup, and layered with melted, golden-brown cheese. While a sweet cheese dish may not sound the most appealing, Kanafeh has a unique blend between sweetness and savoriness that I absolutely adore!
In 1918 after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Lebanon adopted a white flag with their iconic green cedar tree in the center, a reference to Lebanon's unique cedar trees found in their mountains. Originally the cedar symbol was used by Lebanon's Maronite Christians, which represented strength and wealth within the Bible. Psalms 92:12, "The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon" In 1920, the French took control of Lebanon and designed a new flag in the likeness of France. A blue, white, and red tricolor became the new flag, however the French kept the Lebanese cedar tree in the center. In 1941, France declared Lebanon's independence, and a new flag was created in 1943. Redesigned with two horizontal red stripes, which represent the long enduring history of bloodshed for liberation, and a white stripe in the middle, representing Lebanon's snow-capped mountains, peace and purity. While the cedar is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, the cedar tree is Lebanon's national symbol and valued to all religions and cultures. The cedar represents eternity and prosperity for the country. Sources: Smith, Whitney. "Flag of Lebanon". Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Nov. 2015, www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Lebanon.
Flag of Lebanon. Edarabia. www.edarabia.com/lebanon/flag/. |