Lebanon

Lebanon, officially known as the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon's location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian hinterland has contributed to its rich history and shaped a cultural identity of religious and ethnic diversity. At just 10,452 km² (4,036 mi²), it is one of the smallest recognized sovereign states in the Asian continent. As the country's official language is Arabic, spoken Lebanese Arabic is used alongside Modern Standard Arabic in daily life.