GENERAL
Official name of the state
Lebanese Republic
Capital
Beirut.
Geography
According to agooddir, Lebanon is at the eastern end of the Mediterranean and borders Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south. The fertile plateau of the Beka’a is framed by the Lebanon (Jebel Lubnan), the Anti-Lebanon Mountains and Mount Hermon. Almost half of the country is 900 m above sea level. d. M. The variety of landscapes in this small country is hard to beat. The famous cedars grow high in the mountains, while grapes, apricots, plums, peaches, figs, olives and barley thrive on the lower slopes. Citrus fruits, bananas and vegetables grow in the fertile coastal plain.
Government
Republic since 1926. Constitution of 1926, last amendment 1999. Unicameral Parliament: National Assembly with 128 members. The head of state must be a Maronite Christian, the head of government Sunni and the speaker of parliament a Shiite Muslim. Independence from France since 1943.
Head of state
Michel Aoun, since October 2016.
Head of government
Saad Hariri, since November 2016.
Electricity
230 V, 50 Hz. Adapter is recommended.
Time zone
Eastern European Time: CET +3 (CET +4 from March 25 to October 28, 2017)
MONEY
Currency
1 Lebanese pound = 100 piasters. Currency abbreviation: L £, LBP (ISO code).
Banknotes to the denominations of 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000 and 1,000 L £ are in circulation.
Coins are in circulation with denominations of £ 500, £ 250, £ 100 and £ 50. The Lebanese pound is pegged to the US dollar.
Credit cards
American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa are accepted in hotels, some restaurants, shops, car rental companies and airlines throughout the country. There are ATMs in the larger cities. At some ATMs, cash can be withdrawn with a credit card or with the EC card. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs
EC cards with the Maestro symbol are accepted worldwide. ATMs can be found in Beirut and other larger cities, symbols indicate which cards are accepted by these.
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Sat 8.30 a.m.-2.00 p.m. (sometimes until 5.00 p.m.).
Foreign exchange regulations
No restrictions on the import and export of local and foreign currency. Amounts equivalent to more than US $ 10,000 must be declared.
Currency Exchange
There are numerous large banks in Beirut where international currencies can be exchanged. Currency exchange is also possible in many hotels. US dollar banknotes are accepted almost everywhere in Beirut in hotels, restaurants, taxis and also in smaller shops. Exchange options can already be found at the airport, as well as in banks and exchange offices.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is Arabic. French and English are also widely spoken. Important minority languages are Armenian and Kurdish.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Many business people speak English and / or French.
Opening hours
Business hours: Usually Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-1.30 p.m. and 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Government agencies: Mon-Thu 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Fri 8 a.m.-11 a.m., Sat 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Economy
Arab-German Association for Trade and Industry eV
Garnisonskirchplatz 1, D-10178 Berlin
Tel: (030) 278 90 70.
Internet: www.ghorfa.de
Austrian-Arab Chamber of Commerce
Lobkowitzplatz 1, A-1015 Vienna
Tel: (01) 513 39 65.
Internet: www.aacc.at
The Delegate of German Industry and Trade in Lebanon
Solidere Area, Riadh el-Solh Street, Stephan Building, 3rd floor, LB-Beirut
Postal address: POBox 11-35, LB-2011-3104 Beirut
Tel: (01) 98 52 29/30/31.
Beirut Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber of Commerce)
PO Box 11-1801, Rue Justinian, CCIABML building, Sanayeh, LB-Beirut
Tel: (01) 35 33 90, 74 41 60.
Internet: www.ccib.org.lb
Ministry of Economy and Trade
Artois Street, Hamra, LB-Beirut
Tel: (01) 34 05 04/05.
Internet: www.economy.gov.lb
Euro Info Correspondence Center (EICC)
PO Box 11-1801, 1 Rue Justinien, Sanayeh, LB-Beirut
Tel: (01) 74 41 63.
Internet: www.euroinfocentre.net
Business contacts
Arab-German Association for Trade and Industry eV
Garnisonskirchplatz 1, D-10178 Berlin
Tel: (030) 278 90 70.
Internet: www.ghorfa.de
Austrian-Arab Chamber of Commerce
Lobkowitzplatz 1, A-1015 Vienna
Tel: (01) 513 39 65.
Internet: www.aacc.at
The Delegate of German Industry and Trade in Lebanon
Solidere Area, Riadh el-Solh Street, Stephan Building, 3rd floor, LB-Beirut
Postal address: POBox 11-35, LB-2011-3104 Beirut
Tel: (01) 98 52 29/30/31.
Beirut Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber of Commerce)
PO Box 11-1801, Rue Justinian, CCIABML building, Sanayeh, LB-Beirut
Tel: (01) 35 33 90, 74 41 60.
Internet: www.ccib.org.lb
Ministry of Economy and Trade
Artois Street, Hamra, LB-Beirut
Tel: (01) 34 05 04/05.
Internet: www.economy.gov.lb
Euro Info Correspondence Center (EICC)
PO Box 11-1801, 1 Rue Justinien, Sanayeh, LB-Beirut
Tel: (01) 74 41 63.
Internet: www.euroinfocentre.net
CULTURE
Religion
18 recognized religious communities, 60% Muslims, 39% Christians, largest groups: Shiites, Maronites, Sunnis, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholics, Druze, Armenians (Orthodox and Catholic).
Social rules of conduct
Visitors are expected to be open and respectful of the customs and habits of the locals. A small present should be brought along with an invitation to dinner. Casual wear is appropriate during the day. In the larger cities, clothing is usually a little more formal. Evening wear is expected in good hotels and restaurants.
Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in public, enclosed spaces such as hotels, restaurants and cafes.
Tipping: Service charges are usually included on hotel and restaurant bills, but it is customary to give an additional tip of 5-10%. Taxi drivers also expect tips.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Mediterranean climate. The summers are hot, rather humid on the coast and generally dry at high altitudes. Winters are cool and rainy. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times of the year.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +961 Area (sq km) 10 452 Population 6184 701 Population density (per sq km) 592 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 140
