Lebanon, a country in Western Asia on the eastern Mediterranean shore, is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south. Despite a tumultuous history of civil wars and invasions, it is now generally safe with low levels of petty crime. Most of Lebanon is mountainous, with a narrow coastal strip to the west and the Mt Lebanon range running through the center. The Beqaa Valley lies between Mt Lebanon and the Anti-Lebanon range, forming the eastern border. Lebanon experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and surprisingly wet and cold winters. The mountains get significant snowfall, hosting several ski resorts. Although Lebanon receives relatively high precipitation, rain-shadow effects create semi-desert areas in the northern Beqaa Valley. Lebanon's diverse habitats and location along the Eastern Mediterranean Flyway result in a rich avifauna. The country boasts a variety of European, Middle-Eastern, and vagrant bird species. Migration seasons are spectacular, with thousands of raptors and other soaring birds passing through bottlenecks. Over 415 bird species have been recorded, including 20 65 that are fairly common and breed in Lebanon. Notably, the country is home to breeding populations of Blue-Tit and features special bird species like the Chukar and the globally Vulnerable Syrian Serin. Lebanon also offers excellent hospitality, renowned cuisine, and fine wine, with Chateau Musar being a world-famous winery. The country is famous for its ancient Cedars of Lebanon, historical sites like the Temple of Bacchus in Baalbek, continuously inhabited Byblos, Beaufort Castle used in various wars, and the well-preserved Umayyad Caliphate ruins in Anjar.

Lebanon, a country in Western Asia on the eastern Mediterranean shore, is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south. Despite a tumultuous history of civil wars and invasions, it is now generally safe with low levels of petty crime. Most of Lebanon is mountainous, with a narrow coastal strip to the west and the Mt Lebanon range running through the center. The Beqaa Valley lies between Mt Lebanon and the Anti-Lebanon range, forming the eastern border. Lebanon experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and surprisingly wet and cold winters. The mountains get significant snowfall, hosting several ski resorts. Although Lebanon receives relatively high precipitation, rain-shadow effects create semi-desert areas in the northern Beqaa Valley. Lebanon's diverse habitats and location along the Eastern Mediterranean Flyway result in a rich avifauna. The country boasts a variety of European, Middle-Eastern, and vagrant bird species. Migration seasons are spectacular, with thousands of raptors and other soaring birds passing through bottlenecks. Over 415 bird species have been recorded, including 20 that are fairly common and breed in Lebanon. Notably, the country is home to breeding populations of Blue-Tit and features special bird species like the Chukar and the globally Vulnerable Syrian Serin. Lebanon also offers excellent hospitality, renowned cuisine, and fine wine, with Chateau Musar being a world-famous winery. The country is famous for its ancient Cedars of Lebanon, historical sites like the Temple of Bacchus in Baalbek, continuously inhabited Byblos, Beaufort Castle used in various wars, and the well-preserved Umayyad Caliphate ruins in Anjar.