Lebanon

Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, perched on the Mediterranean coast. As the country’s political, financial, and cultural hub, it houses government institutions, major universities, and the main seaport and airport. Its cosmopolitan spirit earned it the nickname “Paris of the Middle East,” and despite periods of conflict and the 2020 port explosion, it remains the resilient heart of Lebanese life. To avoid mix-ups: Tripoli is the second-largest city in the north; Sidon (Saida) is an ancient Phoenician port to the south; Zahle sits in the Beqaa Valley, known for cuisine and wineries. Memory tip: B is for Beirut—Banks, Beaches, and the Blue Mediterranean.