Lebanon - Modern Capital, Venerable Past - continues to provide investment potential

Beirut, with its million-plus inhabitants, conveys a sense of life and energy that is immediately apparent. This dynamism is echoed by Capital’s geographical position: a great promontory jutting into the blue sea with dramatic mountains rising behind it. A city with a venerable past, 5,000 years ago Beirut was a prosperous town on the Canaanite and Phoenician coast. The capital of style
Beirut is Europe's rendezvous with the Arab world, and Downtown Beirut is you rendezvous with life.

One of the most diverse cities of the Middle East, Beirut is also the capital, largest city and chief seaport of Lebanon. Known as the Paris of the Middle East, Beirut is the commercial centre of the region and has something for everyone. It's filled with vibrancy and charm by night, as the city never sleeps. Catch the world partying here, in Beirut.

Property Sales
Property sales in Lebanon reached impressive figures in 2007 despite the world-wide economic slowdown and continuing political strife. Property sales in 2007 reached $4.219 billion compared to $3.151 billion in 2006.

Building permits also increased last year. Figures released by the Order of Engineers of Beirut and Tripoli reveal that construction permits totaled 9,037,609 sqm during 2007 - up by 4.0% from 8,692,834 sqm in 2006.

Country Profile
After years of unrest, Lebanon is regaining its former reputation as «The Switzerland of the Middle East». Its mountains and its scenic beauty were almost untouched. Lebanon was visited by nearly one million visitors during 2000, 1.4 million during 2002, and the number is expected to grow a lot within the next five years.

One who visits Lebanon is fascinated by the 7,000 year old little country. The weather is always moderate, the prices are very reasonable and, most of all the people are friendly.

As a republic since 1943, it is a compact country of 10,452 square kilometers with a population of 3.57 millions (year 2000). The capital is Beirut.

GEOGRAPHY
Lebanon falls on the Eastern Mediterranean sea, between 33° 34'.40 latitude north and 35° 36'.40° longitude east. The country is located at the meeting point of three continents, and over the centuries it has been the cross roads of many civilizations whose trace may still be seen today.

In winter, the high peaks are covered with snow and in summer the limestone slopes glimmer white in the distance. Two rocky ranges traverse Lebanon parallel to the seacoast, separated by the high plateau of the Bekaa Valley. Its countryside is a place of rocks, cedar trees and magnificent ruins that look down from the mountains to the sea.