Lebanon shares borders with the Mediterranean Sea, Syria, and Israel. The country lies on the Fertile Crescent, a strip of land that arcs across the Syrian Desert, connecting Egypt to Iraq.

Some quick facts about Lebanon include:

• In 1943, Lebanon gained its independence from France.
• Lebanon is the size of the state of Connecticut.
• Arabic is the official language. English, French, and Armenian are also widely spoken and understood.
• The capital of Lebanon is Beirut.
• Islam and Christianity are the major religions practiced in Lebanon.

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Text: Shawna Irish; Image: CIA Factbook