Beirut, Lebanon
Centuries ago men plied their trade across the seas in sturdy ships built of Cedar. Centuries ago Egypt's Pharaohs
shaped their funeral boats from Cedar. Centuries ago Solomon built his Temple with Cedar. Cedar wood, which came from
a small Middle-Eastern country - from the oldest forest in the World - the legendary Cedars of Lebanon.
This narrow strip of land sheltered from the arid desert wastes by Mount Lebanon (The White Mountain) literally crowned
white for much of the year, and a proven popular winter sports resort, whose slopes and lowlands house lush vegetation
- orange groves, bananas, olives, wild flowers and crystal clear rivers - is Lebanon - the most advanced state in the
Middle-East - the link between East and West - Lebanon - the Land of Milk and Honey.
From the very birth of man civilisations have existed here, and it was here they invented our present day alphabet,
reminders of these civilisations are much in evidence at Byblos, the oldest city in the World - with her ancient
temples, castles and Crusader fortresses.
Today, Beirut, the capital of the Republic of Lebanon, is one of the great trading centres of the world, standing third
in the World gold traffic, her port is a natural outlet for Middle-Eastern goods and an import centre for world goods
to the Middle East.
A free currency port and a modern banking centre, the city possesses a gay affluent atmosphere with palm-lined
boulevards, luxury hotels, magnificent beaches, shops laden with luxury goods, good-looking well-dressed Lebanese
thronging the busy thoroughfares, rubbing shoulders with socialities from the four corners of the globe.
Almost as famous as the legendary Cedars is the night life of Beirut, justly named the Playground of the Middle East.
Bright neon signs send out their message into the throbbing night - luring the visitor with splendour and big names.
Beirut Map
During the day the hot sun beats down from a cloudless sky upon the skiers on the snow capped mountain slopes, at the
same time glistening on the spray thrown up from the water-skiers as they cavort across the clear blue Mediterranean.
At night the moon looks down upon this playground whose scenes of activity bear witness to its prosperity. Western
civilisation has taught the Lebanese its ways which they have adapted profitably - The “Paris of the Middle
East” awaits us.
