Lebanon (Arabic: لبنان‎‎), officially known as the Lebanese Republic (Arabic: الجمهورية اللبنانية‎‎ al-Jumhūrīyah al-Lubnānīyah), stands as a sovereign state in Western Asia. Positioned with Syria to the north and east, and Palestine to the south, Lebanon is flanked by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, where Cyprus lies across its waters. The nation’s geographical location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian hinterland has been instrumental in shaping its rich history and fostering a cultural identity marked by religious and ethnic diversity. Remarkably, with a land area of just 10,452 km2, Lebanon holds the distinction of being the smallest recognized country on the entire Asian continent.

Despite of its modest size, Lebanon has cultivated a well-known culture and wielded considerable influence in the Arab world. Renowned for its financial prowess and diverse cultural landscape in the 1960s, Lebanon earned the moniker “Switzerland of the East.” Beirut, its capital, became a magnet for tourists, earning the title “the Paris of the Middle East.” Additionally, Lebanon boasts the highest Human Development Index and GDP per capita in the Arab world, standing out even among the oil-rich economies of the Persian Gulf. This unique blend of historical significance, cultural richness, and economic prominence positions Lebanon as a distinctive and influential player in the region.

The constituent emirates include Abu Dhabi, serving as the capital, along with Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. Each emirate is governed by an absolute monarch, collectively forming the Federal Supreme Council. The country’s president is chosen from among these monarchs. The official religion is Islam, and Arabic is the primary language. While English is widely spoken and serves as the language of business and education, particularly in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai. As of 2013, the UAE’s population reached 9.2 million, with 1.4 million being Emirati citizens and 7.8 million expatriates.