AECID - Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo

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Name: Lebanon.

Area: 10,400 Km2.

Mediterranean coastline: 225 Km.

Population (World Bank data): 4.3 million in 2000.

Annual population growth (World Bank data): 1.6%.

Population distribution (World Bank data): 90% urban, 10% rural.

Human Development Index (2001 UNDP Report): 65 of 162.

Distribution by productive sectors (World Bank data): primary 11.9% of GDP, secondary 22% and tertiary 66.1%.

Access to drinking water (2001 UNDP Report): 100%.

Annual per capita energy consumption (IUCN system): 1,820 Kw/hours.

Geographical description: Lebanon is a small country, 217 km from north to south and, at its widest point, 80 km east to west. The land is divided into four parallel regions running from northeast to southwest: a narrow, flat coastal strip; the Lebanon Hill massif, rising from the flat zone to dominate the entire country before dropping eastward; a fertile basin between mountains called the Bekaa Valley; and the spurs of the Hills shared with Syria. Although there are no navigable rivers or large lakes, the Bekaa springs feed two important rivers, the Litania in the south, used mainly for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation, and the Orontes. Many of these springs provide water only in winter, the wettest season. These natural sources, along with the melted mountain snow, provide Lebanon with its water supply, unique throughout the Middle East.

Climate: The climate in most of the country is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters, although there are variations among the four regions. From the Bekaa Valley to the Syrian hills, the summers are hot and dry and the winters cold with occasional rain. Temperatures drop in the Lebanon Hills and rain increases with altitude. Heavy snow persists into summer, and up to 1,300 mm of annual precipitation is recorded. The coastal climate is subtropical, with 900 mm annual precipitation and mean temperatures in Beirut of 14ºC in winter and 27ºC in summer.


Natural resources: Abundant water, rich soils and extensive terraced hillsides make Lebanon’s agriculture very varied. The fertile coastal lands are alluvial, while those in the higher regions are a typical example of red Mediterranean soil, which also predominates in the region of Bekaa. 30.1% of Lebanon is cropland, and 4% is wooded.

Main environmental problems: Lebanon’s environment was seriously damaged during the Civil War. That conflict particularly affected habitat, the environmental legislation could not be implemented, and all conservation efforts were abandoned. Following the war, the Lebanese government put all its effort into reconstructing the country’s basic infrastructures. However, in recent years, Lebanon has increased its commitment to environmental conservation.

Every year, urban development and farming practices destroy 7.8% (1990-1996) of the country’s forest, the highest deforestation rate in this region. Thus soil erosion and desertification have risen. The Al-Shouf Cedar Reserve, taking up 5% of the country, was created in 1997. Although the cedar occupies only a small percentage of the reserve, conservation groups are attempting to increase this tree’s numbers in other areas of the park.

Prior to the conflict, Lebanon was an important commercial and industrial centre. This productivity had environmental consequences in the form of pollution and the uncontrolled dumping of liquid and industrial wastes, which has very negatively affected the quality of some underground aquifers. Although the Lebanese government is making an effort to implement waste management and treatment methods which are more respectful of the environment, many industries continue to pollute canals and the coast.

The petrol sold in Lebanon is treated with high levels of lead, contributing to air pollution, particularly in urban areas. Electrical plants also add to this pollution, by burning combustible. Given this situation, Lebanon announced a plan in 1998 to use natural gas rather than combustible for electricity production.

Lebanon has ratified international accords to protect biodiversity and the ozone layer, and has also signed agreements on marine pollution.