LAUREN JUPINA & MIERA ELKHOURY

LE Liban

LAUREN JUPINA & MIERA ELKHOURY

GEOGRAPHY & STATISTICSLocation: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and SyriaCapital: BeirutClimate: Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snowsLanguages: Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian

LA RELIGION

Muslim 59.7% (Shia, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri), Christian 39%

WHY IS FRENCH IMPORTANT??

Upper and middle class speak French After WWII Lebanon was placed under French

control France Lebanese civil law is based on the French

Napoleonic law The literature and math is based on the

French System in Lebanon.

Arts

3 main influences on Lebanese Arts French surrealists Cubists Impressionists

International festivals are VERY popular Held on Historic sites, such as roman

temples of Baalbek, Byblos’ crusaders ruins, or Beirut’s central district

*Lebanese Museum in Beirut *Baalbek *Byblos *ABC mall

Dance: Hip-Lift, Hip-Drop

1) Start with basic position with right leg forward.

2) Lift right hip

3) Drop your hip

4) Lift your hip and drop it again

5) Continue this at a faster pace until it becomes a bounce Importance of Belly Dancing

Used as a technique to help the mother during child birth

Performed at weddings to make a blessing of fertility on the couple and providing entertainment for the guests

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4F0qR9DnrA

Sports

Popular Sports Le Foot, Le Basket, Le Volley Cross-country running, particularly in the

mountains, and the martial arts are widely practiced

Skiing, Rock-climbing, and Cave explorations are enjoyed in the mountains

Many Lebanese go swimming and fishing in the lakes, rivers, or in the Mediterranean Sea

Pigeon-shooting is a favorite sport in the city

Family Life

City Families Small, averaging two children each Children live with their parents until married

If not married, live with family whole life Most businesses are family owned and run

Rural Families Live on Small Farms Many children to help with farm work- ten to fifteen Women do all the cooking, cleaning, and laundry in

an old fashioned way Women also work on farms when needed

Food

Lebanese cuisine is Mediterranean Pita Bread, Hummus, Fool, Bean Dishes,

Rice, Pasta, Salted Yogurt, Red Meat and Chicken are eaten as part of a dish

Pork is less popular because it is forbidden under Islamic Law

Eating in Lebanon is tied to a family; people never eat alone

Ramadan- the Muslim month for fasting, is the occasion for large meals at sundown

During Lent, Christians eat meatless dishes

Quiz

What is the capital of Lebanon? What is one of the main causes of conflict? True/False. Family life is not very important in

Lebanon. What are two main languages spoken? What are the two main religious groups? What is eating tied to in Lebanon? What food is forbidden in Islamic culture? What is the Muslim month for fasting? Where is Lebanon located?