Beirut
INTRO
Try to imagine how a city with thousands of years of history that witnessed the life of more than ten civilisations and that was almost completely destroyed by earthquakes and wars would look like in the 21st century and you would most certainly not imagine anything like the present city of Beirut. As a port city, ideally situated on the crossroads between East and West, Beirut is a fast developing business and commercial city and a highly respected educational, cultural and press centre in the Middle East.
City Profile
City: Beirut
Country: Lebanon
Area: 19.8 km2
Population: 1,574,397
Districts: 13
Mayor: Abdel Mounim Ariss
Language: Arabic
LOCATION
Located on the Mediterranean Sea and atop two hills, Beirut is on its way of reestablishing its reputation as the "economic hub of the Middle East". With its airport, seaport and neighbouring Tripoli location, the city, backed by the Mount Lebanon mountains, is easy to reach industrial centre of the Arab world.
TIME TO VISIT
As a Mediterranean city, Beirut has a subtropical climate that is characterised by hot and humid summers and moderately mild winters. The average lowest temperature in the winter is 11 degrees C while the hottest days of July reach temperatures of up to 31 degrees C. The period between late autumn and the beginning of spring is marked by frequent rains. In order to escape the weather extremes, probably the best time to visit Beirut is in late spring and late summer. The water is good for swimming between April and November with highest temperature in July and August.
POPULATION
The exact number of the city's population is difficult to establish due to the civil war and a large number of immigrants. However, the current population according to the government is between 1.5 and 1.8 million people, among whom there is an equal number of Christian and Muslim residents. The official language in Beirut is Arabic but English and French are widely spoken too.
DISTRICTS
Beirut is divided into thirteen districts, some of which include separate neighbourhoods. Each district hosts certain tourist attractions and is famous for its specific landmarks and destinations. The following districts are the major and most frequently visited ones.
- Beirut Central District is also called Solidere, after the company that renovated the area after the Lebanese Civil War. This is the city's historical and commercial core, situated in Beirut's northern coast, that host many of the city's landmarks, including the Martyr's Square and Saifi Village.
- Ras Beirut includes Hamra and Raouche neighbourhoods, the former of which includes one of the main streets in Beirut and is the intellectual centre of the city, while the latter is a residential and a commercial core that is also a beach paradise renown for its Pigeon's Rock and the Corniche that attract hundreds of tourists.
- Achrafieh is one of the oldest districts of the city that is characterised by being both a tourist and residential area. It consists of two main neighbourhoods, one of which is St. Nicolas and hosts many famous buildings such as the Sursock house and museum, and the other is the Tabaris neighbourhood that is known for its important buildings like the Achrafeih Tower.
SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
Beirut and its surrounding districts offer a variety of leisure and sightseeing activities for both foreigners and natives. Depending on your interests you can stroll along the city centre, visit ancient remains of previous civilisations or enjoy sunbathing at the beach. Here are some of the entertainments that Beirut has on stock for its visitors:
- Solidere is the downtown area of Beirut that fascinates with its architectural wonders that date back some 5000 years ago. It is the ideal place for a relaxing walk along cobbled streets that offer some fine shopping, romantic cafes and everyday theatre performances or delicious dinners at the local restaurants. More info on: http://www.solidere.com/solidere.html
- Roman Baths is one of the top tourist attractions in downtown Beirut. Discovered in 1960 and renovated in 1990, the remnants of brick vaults and columns allow the visitors to peak into the ancient past of the Roman civilization. Today, the site is used by the local authorities for open air concerts and various outside events.
- Al-Omari Mosque dates back to the 13th century and belongs to the best preserved buildings in Beirut. The mosque had been a Byzantine church and a Roman temple before it was turned into a mosque. It has undergone some renovative precedures and has become an important tourist attraction. http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=97233
- Jeita Grotto is a natural phenomenon of caverns that have been formed under the influence of time and the underground waters of the river Jeita. Located 20km north of Beirut and beneath the hills of Mount Lebanon, the caverns can be seen both by boat and on foot. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.middleeast.com/jeitagrotto.htm
- Sursock Museum is an art museum showing Islamic visual art throughout the centuries. It was built by the Sursock family in the late 19th century as a private villa and then donated to the government. The permanent exhibition shows a collection of Japanese engravings as well as a typical Islamic art. More info onopening hours and how to get there: http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event.detail&event_id=84008
- Beirut National Museum presents the 3000 years of Lebanese history through a well preserved collection of artefacts, sarcophagy and mosaics that contrubite the the impressive layout of the building itself. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=84002
AIRPORT
The city of Beirut is served by one international airport that is the only operational commerce airport in the country.
- Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport was previously called Beirut International Airport and is located 9km from the city centre in the southern suburbs of the city. Since the public transportation from the airport is still under construction, the easiest way to reach the downtown area is by taking a taxi from outside the terminal. Taxis are operated by the airport authorities and are marked by the logo of the airport. Prices are regulated by law and should not be more than 23 dollars. More info at: http://www.beirutairport.gov.lb/indexflash.html
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
There are several efficient ways of travelling around Beirut.
- The Services (the Lebanese name for collective taxis) is a cheap and convenient way of going around in Beirut. It is a taxi cab that holds up to four people who are headed in the same direction but it can serve as a taxi if you tell the driver. Price for the service: 1000 L.L.; price for TAXI; 5000 L.L.
- Buses operate in fixed routes and stop at certain bus stops. Fares: 500 LBP in town; 2000-3000 LBP between towns.
- Mini buses are another convenient means of transportation in Beirut that have to be waved down just like taxis. You need to inform the driver where you want to get off. Prices are the same as for the bus.
- Rent a car: it is possible to rent a car in Beirut for 40 dollars per day, including the insurance. The rental companies require you to pay USD 200-500 insurance deductable fee (on the credit card) that is refunded upon return. It is advisable, however, to drive carefully, since there might be unsafe drivers on the roads.
HISTORY
Beirut is one of the oldest settled cities with relics of more than ten different civilisations that inhabited the region during its 5000 years old history. Initially called Berytus when it was a Phoenician city as early as 1400 B.C., Beirut has been under the rule of many powerful nations, including the Romans in the first century, the Arab Muslims in 6th century, the Ottoman Empire until 1918 and the French until Lebanon gained its independence in 1943. Beirut enjoyed the glory of being a Roman city-state during the most prestigious years of its ancient history when the city's School of Law reached the excellence of those in Constantinople and Athens. However, the city also witnessed devastations not only by men during the civil war and the successive occupations by Siria and Israel between 1975 and 1991, but also by natural phenomena like earthquakes. It has been reconstructed several times but has still managed to preserve the proofs of its long history and treasured heritage.
CITY LINKS
- Beirut News, A Daily Newspaper in English: http://yalibnan.com/site/
- Municipality of Beirut: http://cms.beirut.gov.lb/
- Interesting Places in Beirut: http://www.middleeast.com/beirut.htm
- Useful Tips: http://www.travel-to-lebanon.com/tourism/practical-information/practical-information.html
UNIVERSITY LINKS
- Lebanese American University, the first women's college in the Middle East: www.lau.edu.lb
- Lebanese University: www.ul.edu.lb
- Lebanese International University: www.liu.edu.lb
- American University of Beirut: www.aub.edu.lb