Lebanon Facts | Britannica

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href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lebanon">Lebanon</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/place/Lebanon">Introduction & Quick Facts</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref23385"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon#ref23385">Land</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23386"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon#ref23386">Relief</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23387"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon#ref23387">Drainage</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref279108"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon#ref279108">Soils</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23388"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Climate">Climate</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23389"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Climate#ref23389">Plant and animal life</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref23391"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Climate#ref23391">People</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref279109"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Climate#ref279109">Ethnic and linguistic composition</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23393"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Climate#ref23393">Religion</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23390"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Climate#ref23390">Settlement patterns</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23394"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Climate#ref23394">Demographic trends</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref23395"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Economy">Economy</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23397"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Economy#ref23397">Agriculture, forestry, and fishing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23396"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Economy#ref23396">Resources and power</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23398"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Economy#ref23398">Manufacturing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23399"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Economy#ref23399">Finance</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23400"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Trade">Trade</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref279110"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Trade#ref279110">Services</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref279111"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Trade#ref279111">Labor and taxation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23402"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Trade#ref23402">Transportation</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref23403"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Government-and-society">Government and society</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref279112"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Government-and-society#ref279112">Constitutional framework</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref279113"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Government-and-society#ref279113">Local government</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23408"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Government-and-society#ref23408">Justice</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref279114"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Government-and-society#ref279114">Political process</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23409"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Government-and-society#ref23409">Security</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref279115"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Health-and-welfare">Health and welfare</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref279116"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Health-and-welfare#ref279116">Housing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23410"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Health-and-welfare#ref23410">Education</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23414"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Health-and-welfare#ref23414">Social and economic division</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref23415"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Health-and-welfare#ref23415">Cultural life</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23416"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Health-and-welfare#ref23416">Cultural milieu</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref279117"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Health-and-welfare#ref279117">Daily life and social customs</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23417"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/The-arts">The arts</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref279118"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/The-arts#ref279118">Cultural institutions</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref279119"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/The-arts#ref279119">Sports and recreation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23418"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/The-arts#ref23418">Media and publishing</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref214450"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/History">History</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23363"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/History#ref23363">Phoenicia</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref23364"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/History#ref23364">Origins and relations with Egypt</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref23365" class="has-children"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Phoenicia-as-a-colonial-and-commercial-power">Phoenicia as a colonial and commercial power</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref23366"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Phoenicia-as-a-colonial-and-commercial-power#ref23366">Colonies</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref23367"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Commerce">Commerce</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref23368"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Commerce#ref23368">Navigation and seafaring</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref23369"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Assyrian-and-Babylonian-domination-of-Phoenicia">Assyrian and Babylonian domination of Phoenicia</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref23370"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Assyrian-and-Babylonian-domination-of-Phoenicia#ref23370">Persian period</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref23371"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Assyrian-and-Babylonian-domination-of-Phoenicia#ref23371">Greek and Roman periods</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23372"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Lebanon-in-the-Middle-Ages">Lebanon in the Middle Ages</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23373"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Lebanon-in-the-Middle-Ages#ref23373">Ottoman period</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23374"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/French-mandate">French mandate</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref23375"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Lebanon-after-independence">Lebanon after independence</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref23376"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Lebanon-after-independence#ref23376">Khuri regime, 1943–52</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref23377"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Lebanon-after-independence#ref23377">Chamoun regime and the 1958 crisis</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref23378"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Lebanon-after-independence#ref23378">Chehabism: from Chehab to Hélou, 1958–76</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref279120"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Civil-war">Civil war</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref279121" class="has-children"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Lebanons-Second-Republic-1990">Lebanon’s Second Republic (1990– )</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref279122"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Lebanons-Second-Republic-1990#ref279122">Politics and reconstruction in post-civil war Lebanon</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h5"><li data-target="#ref344127"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Lebanons-Second-Republic-1990#ref344127">Rebuilding the political and economic infrastructure</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h5"><li data-target="#ref344128"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Lebanons-Second-Republic-1990#ref344128">Resistance to the ongoing Israeli and Syrian presence in Lebanon</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref279123"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Factional-wrangling-over-Hezbollahs-role-in-Lebanon">Factional wrangling over Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref344129"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Factional-wrangling-over-Hezbollahs-role-in-Lebanon#ref344129">Regional impacts on Lebanon during and after the Arab Spring</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li data-target="#ref341949"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Debt-crisis">Debt crisis</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h5"><li data-target="#ref345357"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Debt-crisis#ref345357">2018 election and the formation of a national unity government</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h5"><li data-target="#ref345358"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Debt-crisis#ref345358">Government mismanagement, anti-corruption protests, and the 2020 Beirut explosions</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h5"><li data-target="#ref387609"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Lebanon/Debt-crisis#ref387609">Conflict with Israel beginning in 2023</a></li></ul></li></ul></li></ul></li></ul></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lebanon/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900 selected" href="/facts/Lebanon">Facts & Stats</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" 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<div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/334152/5b698c1d403887135e35b20c4cb22413" rel="nofollow">Masses of mourners attend the funeral of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah, 5 months after his killing</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 23, 2025, 7:34 PM ET (AP) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/334152/502bb601ce9f3b8c980ae591462c9c51" rel="nofollow">Thousands of supporters of Hezbollah's slain leader Nasrallah fly into Beirut for his funeral</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 21, 2025, 2:31 PM ET (AP) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/334152/216d76819c2d4e700f7042b49556433d" rel="nofollow">Middle East latest: Netanyahu appoints an adviser with Trump ties to lead ceasefire talks</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 19, 2025, 3:22 PM ET (AP) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/334152/2540d0ce494ad49e9c2565eb4ab3f6a8" rel="nofollow">Middle East latest: Hamas will free 6 Israeli hostages and the bodies of 4 others</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 18, 2025, 6:55 PM ET (AP) </span> </div> <button class="js-toggle-recent-news d-flex btn btn-unstyled font-14 pr-10 rounded-sm mt-10" aria-label="Toggle additional news items"> Show less <em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_less"></em> </button> </div> </div> <hr class="grey-box-line module-spacing " /> <h3 class="qa-facts">Facts</h3> <table class="quick-facts-table table font-14"> <tbody> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Also Known As</th> <td class="%s" > Lubnān • Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Lubnāniyyah • Republic of Lebanon</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Head Of Government</th> <td class="HG" > Prime Minister: Nawaf Salam</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Capital</th> <td class="CP" > <a href="/place/Beirut">Beirut</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Population</th> <td class="POP" > (2025 est.) 5,688,000</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Head Of State</th> <td class="HS" > President: <a href="/biography/Joseph-Aoun">Joseph Aoun</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Form Of Government</th> <td class="FG" > unitary multiparty republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [128<sup>1</sup>])</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Official Language</th> <td class="OF" > Arabic<sup>2</sup></td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Official Religion</th> <td class="OR" > none</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Official Name</th> <td class="ON" > Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Lubnāniyyah (Lebanese Republic)</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Total Area (Sq Km)</th> <td class="TA" > 10,452</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Total Area (Sq Mi)</th> <td class="TA" > 4,036</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Monetary Unit</th> <td class="MU" > Lebanese pound (LBP)</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Population Rank</th> <td class="POP" > (2025) 118</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Population Projection 2030</th> <td class="POP" > 5,938,000</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Density: Persons Per Sq Mi</th> <td class="DENS" > (2025) 1,409.3</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Density: Persons Per Sq Km</th> <td class="DENS" > (2025) 544.2</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Urban-Rural Population</th> <td class="POP" > Urban: (2024) 89.6% • Rural: (2024) 10.4%</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Life Expectancy At Birth</th> <td class="LE" > Male: (2022) 77.4 years • Female: (2022) 80.2 years</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Literacy: Percentage Of Population Age 15 And Over Literate</th> <td class="LIT" > Male: (2019) 97% • Female: (2019) 94%</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000)</th> <td class="GNI" > (2023) 20,042</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row" class="col-30"> Gni Per Capita (U.S.$)</th> <td class="GNI" > (2023) 3,740</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="footnote" colspan="2" > <sup>1</sup>By law, one-half of the membership is Christian and one-half is Muslim/Druze.<sup>2</sup>A law determines French usage per article 11 of the constitution. In 2004 about 20% of the population spoke French in their daily lives.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <hr class="grey-box-line my-20"/> <h3 class="qa-media">Photos</h3> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 facts-page-slider"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex "> <div class="rw-track"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/2073-050-08B85E40/Flag-Lebanon.jpg" data-href="/media/1/334152/61402" class="media-overlay-link pl-20" > <div class="image-container position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/2073-050-08B85E40/Flag-Lebanon.jpg?h=150&q=80" alt="Lebanon" /> <em class="material-icons zoom-icon position-absolute text-white d-flex" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </div> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/56/95656-004-963BF2F8/Patrons-cafe-Beirut.jpg" data-href="/media/1/334152/109423" class="media-overlay-link " > <div class="image-container position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/56/95656-004-963BF2F8/Patrons-cafe-Beirut.jpg?h=150&q=80" alt="Beirut: Gemmayze café" /> <em class="material-icons zoom-icon position-absolute text-white d-flex" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </div> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/2074-004-86E47769/Lebanon.jpg" data-href="/media/1/334152/61403" class="media-overlay-link " > <div class="image-container position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/2074-004-86E47769/Lebanon.jpg?h=150&q=80" alt="Lebanon" /> <em class="material-icons zoom-icon position-absolute text-white d-flex" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </div> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/87/183687-004-27CF47A9/World-Data-Locator-Map-Lebanon.jpg" data-href="/media/1/334152/208661" class="media-overlay-link " > <div class="image-container position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/87/183687-004-27CF47A9/World-Data-Locator-Map-Lebanon.jpg?h=150&q=80" alt="Lebanon" /> <em class="material-icons zoom-icon position-absolute text-white d-flex" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </div> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/75/2075-004-3330C37C/Lebanon-map-features-locator.jpg" data-href="/media/1/334152/61404" class="media-overlay-link " > <div class="image-container position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/75/2075-004-3330C37C/Lebanon-map-features-locator.jpg?h=150&q=80" alt="Physical features of Lebanon" /> <em class="material-icons zoom-icon position-absolute text-white d-flex" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </div> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/56/23756-004-96EDAE87/Cedar-leaves-Lebanon-cone-form.jpg" data-href="/media/1/334152/109428" class="media-overlay-link " > <div class="image-container position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/56/23756-004-96EDAE87/Cedar-leaves-Lebanon-cone-form.jpg?h=150&q=80" alt="cedar of Lebanon" /> <em class="material-icons zoom-icon position-absolute text-white d-flex" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </div> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/52/96952-004-EC2DCE1B/Beruit-Lebanon-crude-oil-spill-July-2006-Israel-Hezbollah-conflict.jpg" data-href="/media/1/334152/109431" class="media-overlay-link " > <div class="image-container position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/52/96952-004-EC2DCE1B/Beruit-Lebanon-crude-oil-spill-July-2006-Israel-Hezbollah-conflict.jpg?h=150&q=80" alt="Beirut: oil on Ramlat al-Bayḍāʾ beach" /> <em class="material-icons zoom-icon position-absolute text-white d-flex" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </div> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/128783-004-AF0D571E/Population-density-Lebanon.jpg" data-href="/media/1/334152/159958" class="media-overlay-link " > <div class="image-container position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/128783-004-AF0D571E/Population-density-Lebanon.jpg?h=150&q=80" alt="Population density of Lebanon" /> <em class="material-icons zoom-icon position-absolute text-white d-flex" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </div> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/14/130414-004-2EE4BC55/Ruins-Anjar-Leb.jpg" data-href="/media/1/334152/127047" class="media-overlay-link " > <div class="image-container position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/14/130414-004-2EE4BC55/Ruins-Anjar-Leb.jpg?h=150&q=80" alt="Ruins at Anjar" /> <em class="material-icons zoom-icon position-absolute text-white d-flex" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </div> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/02/178002-004-2FBD4773/ruins-Tyre-Lebanon.jpg" data-href="/media/1/334152/200960" class="media-overlay-link pr-20 " > <div class="image-container position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/02/178002-004-2FBD4773/ruins-Tyre-Lebanon.jpg?h=150&q=80" alt="Ruins at Tyre" /> <em class="material-icons zoom-icon position-absolute text-white d-flex" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </div> </a> </div> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-yellow " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-yellow " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> <div class="mt-20 card card-sm"> <div class="card-body"> National anthem of Lebanon<audio src="https://cdn.britannica.com/27/145727-005-122FEB15/instrumental-national-anthem-Lebanon.mp3" controls class="mt-10 d-block w-100"></audio> </div> </div> <div class="alert font-serif my-20"> <a class="" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lebanon/images-videos">See All Images, Audio and Interactives →</a> </div> <hr class="grey-box-line my-20" /> <h3 class="qa-related-topics">Related Topics and References</h3> <div class="label mb-10 mt-20">Topics</div> <div> <a href="/topic/Gemayel-family" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">Gemayel family</a><a href="/event/1948-Arab-Israeli-War" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">1948 Arab-Israeli War</a><a href="/event/Arab-Israeli-wars" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">Arab-Israeli wars</a><a href="/topic/Arab-League" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">Arab League</a><a href="/money/Arab-Bank-for-Economic-Development-in-Africa" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa</a><a href="/topic/Organization-of-the-Islamic-Cooperation" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">Organization of the Islamic Cooperation</a><a href="/topic/nation-state" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">nation-state</a><a href="/topic/United-Nations-Resolution-1701" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">United Nations Resolution 1701</a><a href="/event/2020-Beirut-explosion" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">2020 Beirut explosion</a><a href="/event/2006-Lebanon-War" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">2006 Lebanon War</a><a href="/place/United-States" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">United States</a><a href="/place/India" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">India</a><a href="/place/United-Kingdom" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">United Kingdom</a><a href="/place/China" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">China</a><a href="/place/Canada" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">Canada</a><a href="/place/Russia" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">Russia</a><a href="/place/Germany" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">Germany</a><a href="/place/Australia" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">Australia</a><a href="/place/Japan" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">Japan</a><a href="/place/France" class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border-gray-200 mb-5 mr-5">France</a></div> <hr class="grey-box-line my-20" /> <h3 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class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 3/4"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/images/shared/default3.png?v=3.133.36" class="default " /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/biography/Bishara-al-Khuri">Bishara al-Khuri</a> <div class="caption mt-5 text-hyphenate">president of Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-20"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 3/4"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/images/shared/default3.png?v=3.133.36" class="default " /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/biography/Charles-Helou">Charles Hélou</a> <div class="caption mt-5 text-hyphenate">president of Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-20"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 3/4"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/images/shared/default3.png?v=3.133.36" class="default " /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/biography/Suleiman-Franjieh">Suleiman Franjieh</a> <div class="caption mt-5 text-hyphenate">president of Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-20"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 3/4"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/images/shared/default3.png?v=3.133.36" class="default " /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/biography/Abbas-al-Musawi">ʿAbbās al-Mūsawī</a> <div class="caption mt-5 text-hyphenate">Lebanese religious leader</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-20"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 3/4"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/images/shared/default3.png?v=3.133.36" class="default " /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/biography/Hamid-Franjieh">Hamid Franjieh</a> <div class="caption mt-5 text-hyphenate">Lebanese politician</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-20"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 3/4"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/images/shared/default3.png?v=3.133.36" class="default " /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/biography/Riad-al-Sulh">Riad al-Sulh</a> <div class="caption mt-5 text-hyphenate">Lebanese statesman</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-20"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 3/4"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/27/237027-050-E97BD01F/Prime-Minister-Lebanon-Najib-Mikati-2022.jpg?h=400&w=300&c=crop" alt="Najib Mikati" /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/biography/Najib-Mikati">Najib Mikati</a> <div class="caption mt-5 text-hyphenate">prime minister of Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-20"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 3/4"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/40/212640-050-0B933487/Lebanese-President-Michel-Aoun-United-Nations-address-2017.jpg?h=400&w=300&c=crop" alt="Michel Aoun" /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/biography/Michel-Aoun">Michel Aoun</a> <div class="caption mt-5 text-hyphenate">president of Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <hr class="grey-box-line my-20" /> <h3 class="qa-related-places">Related Places</h3> <div class="grid g-20"> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/20/5920-050-5A543266/Asia-political-boundaries-continent.jpg?w=300&h=168&c=crop" alt="A map of the continent of Asia, including its countries, boundaries, and capital cities, as well as parts of Europe, Africa, and surrounding oceans." /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Asia"> Asia</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> continent</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/09/64809-050-F475A380/Beirut-Lebanon.jpg?w=300&h=168&c=crop" alt="Beirut, Lebanon" /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Beirut"> Beirut</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> national capital, Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/03/178003-050-5BED23EA/road-ruins-Lebanon-Tyre.jpg?w=300&h=168&c=crop" alt="Tyre, Lebanon" /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Tyre"> Tyre</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> town and historical site, Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/130413-050-1CB25BAC/Temple-of-Bacchus-Baalbeck-Lebanon.jpg?w=300&h=168&c=crop" alt="Baalbek: Temple of Bacchus" /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Baalbeck"> Baalbek</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> archaeological site, Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/24/143424-050-7F100795/Great-Mosque-Tripoli-Leb.jpg?w=300&h=168&c=crop" alt="Tripoli: Great Mosque" /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Tripoli-Lebanon"> Tripoli</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/37/109437-050-64B319CA/Middle-East.jpg?w=300&h=168&c=crop" alt="Middle East" /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Middle-East"> Middle East</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> region, Asia, Africa, and Europe</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/54/117254-050-49427BC3/Crusader-castle-Sidon-Leb.jpg?w=300&h=168&c=crop" alt="Sidon, Lebanon: Crusader castle" /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Sidon"> Sidon</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/75/2075-050-5FC2F645/Lebanon-map-features-locator.jpg?w=300&h=168&c=crop" alt="Physical features of Lebanon" /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Bekaa-valley"> Bekaa valley</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> valley, Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/images/shared/default3.png?v=3.133.36" class="default " /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Al-Nabatiyyah-al-Tahta"> Al-Nabaṭiyyah al-Taḥtā</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/145373-050-BA7CCC3A/Zahlah-Leb.jpg?w=300&h=168&c=crop" alt="Zaḥlah" /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Zahlah"> Zaḥlah</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/images/shared/default3.png?v=3.133.36" class="default " /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Marj-Uyun"> Marj ʿUyūn</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/28/7028-004-18F610EF/Obelisk-Temple-Byblos-Lebanon.jpg?w=300&h=168&c=crop" alt="Obelisk Temple at Byblos, Lebanon" /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Byblos"> Byblos</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> ancient city, Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/images/shared/default3.png?v=3.133.36" class="default " /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Al-Kalb-River"> Al-Kalb River</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> river, Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/50/120950-004-533701BF/Cedars-of-Lebanon-slopes-Mountains.jpg?w=300&h=168&c=crop" alt="Cedars of Lebanon" /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Lebanon-Mountains"> Lebanon Mountains</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> mountain range, Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-50 col-md-33 col-lg-25"> <div class="card card-sm"> <div class="card-media" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/31/262931-050-EC5E9983/litani-river-lebanon-locator.jpg?w=300&h=168&c=crop" alt="Litani River" /> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold text-hyphenate" href="/place/Litani-River-Lebanon"> Litani River</a> <div class="caption text-hyphenate"> river, Lebanon</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <hr class="grey-box-line my-20" /> <h3 class="qa-related-quizzes">Related Quizzes and Features</h3> <div class="h5 mb-10" id="Quiz-334152">Quiz</div> <div class="grid g-20 pb-20"> <div class="col-100 col-lg-50 col-xl-33"> <div class="card card-sm d-flex flex-row"> <div class="card-media col-auto"> <a href="/quiz/geography-fun-facts"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/99/101699-118-F2B8EAC5/location-continents-Earth.jpg?h=150&w=150&c=crop" alt="Actual continental drift of plates. Thematic map." width="80" height="80" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold line-clamp clamp-3" title="Geography Fun Facts" href="/quiz/geography-fun-facts"> Geography Fun Facts</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 col-lg-50 col-xl-33"> <div class="card card-sm d-flex flex-row"> <div class="card-media col-auto"> <a href="/quiz/guess-the-country-by-its-neighbors-quiz"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/247338-118-AAA1838D/passport-visas-stamps-world-map.jpg?h=150&w=150&c=crop" alt="Opened passport with visas, stamps, seals, world map. (travel, tourism)" width="80" height="80" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold line-clamp clamp-3" title="Guess the Country by Its Neighbors Quiz" href="/quiz/guess-the-country-by-its-neighbors-quiz"> Guess the Country by Its Neighbors Quiz</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 col-lg-50 col-xl-33"> <div class="card card-sm d-flex flex-row"> <div class="card-media col-auto"> <a href="/quiz/countries-of-the-world"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/129613-118-267A9560/Flags-world-flags-Country-history-blog-travel-2009.jpg?h=150&w=150&c=crop" alt="Flags of the world. National flags. Country flags. 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Quiz</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 col-lg-50 col-xl-33"> <div class="card card-sm d-flex flex-row"> <div class="card-media col-auto"> <a href="/quiz/before-they-were-world-leaders-middle-east-edition"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/58/147658-118-7E3DC374/Hosni-Mubarak-2009.jpg?h=150&w=150&c=crop" alt="The President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano at the Quirinale Palace (cropped out), shakes hands with the President of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, Rome, Oct. 17, 2009. egypt protests 2011, protests in egypt 2011" width="80" height="80" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold line-clamp clamp-3" title="Before They Were World Leaders: Middle East Edition" href="/quiz/before-they-were-world-leaders-middle-east-edition"> Before They Were World Leaders: Middle East Edition</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 col-lg-50 col-xl-33"> <div class="card card-sm d-flex flex-row"> <div class="card-media col-auto"> <a href="/quiz/match-the-country-with-its-hemisphere-quiz"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/129617-118-BE9DFEDB/globe-map-world-Brown-geography-blog-travel-2009.jpg?h=150&w=150&c=crop" alt="Brown globe on antique map. 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Hompepage blog 2009, history and society, geography and travel, explore discovery" width="80" height="80" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold line-clamp clamp-3" title="Countries & Their Features" href="/quiz/countries-their-features"> Countries & Their Features</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 col-lg-50 col-xl-33"> <div class="card card-sm d-flex flex-row"> <div class="card-media col-auto"> <a href="/quiz/a-view-of-the-middle-east"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/30/102130-118-A95220EC/Tomb-Mohammed-Bin-Ali-Salalah-Oman.jpg?h=150&w=150&c=crop" alt="Tomb of Mohammed Bin Ali, Salalah, Oman." width="80" height="80" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold line-clamp clamp-3" title="A View of the Middle East" href="/quiz/a-view-of-the-middle-east"> A View of the Middle East</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 col-lg-50 col-xl-33"> <div class="card card-sm d-flex flex-row"> <div class="card-media col-auto"> <a href="/quiz/which-country-is-larger-quiz"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/64/244164-118-6D03405E/nation-flags-world-map.jpg?h=150&w=150&c=crop" alt="Flags of all nations of the world. Grouping of various country flags on a world map." width="80" height="80" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body"> <a class="font-weight-bold line-clamp clamp-3" title="Which Country Is Larger? Quiz" href="/quiz/which-country-is-larger-quiz"> Which Country Is Larger? 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