The People of Lebanon
The area commonly referred to as the Middle East has one of the richest histories in the world. Because of the features defining the Fertile Crescent, it has seen the rise and fall of many famous civilizations throughout history. Located in the midst of this, Lebanon is unsurprisingly an amalgam of many cultures. Arabic, English, and French are commonly heard in the country, and both the Islamic and Christian faiths are prominent. Many people hold to traditional values, and would be considered more conservative by western standards. However, the western influences also present a more modern side to the country.
The Features of Lebanon
Lebanon's main attraction is its capital: Beirut. The city is the centerpiece of Lebanon's advancement and development, and lies on the beautiful Mediterranean coast. It is the primary location for tourism and economic growth, and the Lebanese people gather around it.
The Issues of Lebanon
Lebanon faces issues rooted in the conflict of the surrounding area, with the conflicting nations of Syria and Israel so close. Not only does conflict spawn from Lebanon's involvement in surrounding hostilities such as the fight with the Islamic State, but also from the results of that conflict. Lebanon faces trouble in how to proceed with regards to Palestinian and Syrian refugees fleeing from strife. Lebanon also deals harshly with drug transport and usage issues, along with concerns over human trafficking. Lastly, it deals with the political and ideological divide between Sunni and Shia Islam, which is ultimately the cause of my researched issue.
Works Cited
The World Factbook 2017. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2017.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html. Accessed 9 January 2018.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html. Accessed 9 January 2018.
Header borrowed from "nytimes.com"
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/10/world/middleeast/lebanon-protest-trump-jerusalem.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/10/world/middleeast/lebanon-protest-trump-jerusalem.html