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Beirut
Population
1,574,397 in city
Area
100 km² (39 mi²)
Altitude
10 m (33 ft)
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Buildings
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About Beirut
Lebanon's capital and largest city, Beirut has been bustling and flourishing for centuries. Located in the very center of the country, on a hilly promontory that juts out into the Mediterranean coastline, it is a beautiful and diverse city influenced by numerous cultures throughout history, noticeable from a wealth of archeological sites and traditional architecture and urban planning styles, most notably, the Phoenician legacy, the Ottoman rule and French Mandate.Its name meaning “The Wells” in ancient Phoenician, Beirut has long been a central port for trade in the region. Remarkably, the city has been destroyed and rebuilt as a result of wars and natural disasters several times throughout history since its estimated establishment around the 15th Century BC. The 1960s and 70s saw rapid construction of high-rise towers, especially in the new “Hotel District". With rising population and a growing tourism sector, the city underwent widespread urbanization, and bace known as “Paris of the Middle East”. However, its most recent destruction following the 1975-1990 civil war posed the greatest challenge for the Lebanese, as much of the city was destroyed or badly damaged. Nevertheless, with much determination, since the mid-1990's, the city is being rebuilt in one of the largest, most ambitious urban renovation projects of our time. Spearheaded by Solidère, formally 'La Société Libanaise pour le Développement et la Reconstruction du Centre-Ville de Beyrouth', its aim is to restore Beirut's status as a glitzy metropolis. The skyline of Beirut is currently dotted with cranes hurrying to build as the country is experiencing a construction boom. From fully restored historical buildings to newly built modern skyscrapers, Beirut is regaining significance as a tourist destination and as a regional commercial and economic center. Recently ranked by Travel and Leisure magazine as the 9th best city in the world, Beirut is a unique metropolis reborn from the ashes, with unrivaled spirit to rebuild and move forward. |
