Beirut

MODERN CAPITAL, VENERABLE PAST Beirut, with its million-plus inhabitants, conveys a sense of life and energy that is immediately apparent. This dynamism is echoed by the Capital?s geographical position: a great promontory jutting into the blue sea with dramatic mountains rising behind it. A city with a venerable past, 5,000 years ago Beirut was a prosperous town on the Canaanite and Phoenician coast. THE CITY THAT WOULD NOT DIE Beirut survived a decade and a half of conflict and so has earned the right to call itself ?the City that could not die?. As if to demonstrate this resiliency, the Lebanese have launched a great rush of building activity, including the public service infrastructure. In the ruined City Center, a huge reconstruction project is underway to create a new commercial and residential district for the 21st century. Commerce is second nature to Beirutis, who long ago discovered that their port city on the East-West cross-roads was ideally placed for trading and business of all kinds. A banking center with free currency exchange, the chief employment here is in trade, banking, construction, import-export and service industries. The Lebanese capital enjoys a vigorous press that publishes in Arabic, English, French and Armenian. Five Universities help keep ideas and innovations flowing. The flourishing art scene, including theater, film making, music and plastic arts adds to the sense that is indeed a city on the move. Its many advantages also make Beirut a natural venue for international, regional or local conferences and conventions. Beirut?s Port, the largest in the eastern Mediterranean, is equipped to handle tens of freight and passenger vessels. Further updating of its busy facilities will be made as part of Lebanon?s general reconstruction plan. The new Beirut Airport with international standards, which serves the national carrier middle East Airlines and numerous foreign airlines, has a capacity to handle six million passengers per year.

THINGS TO DO University campuses are a common venue for cultural events from abroad as well as local productions. The American University of Beirut and Lebanese American University, with their lovely, park-like campuses are pleasant places to visit. TOURS A number of tour companies provide a wide selection of trips around Lebanon. FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT Restaurants specializing in Lebanese food offer a chance to sample this well known cuisine at its most authentic. A large selection of foreign restaurants serve cooking from around the world in surroundings as elegant or as cozy as you desire. Night life in Beirut is non-stop. Discos, dinner-dancing, bars and pubs of every variety invite visitors to join the fun. You can sample some of the trendiest places going or opt for super-sophisticated night-clubs. The Casino du Liban, with its luxurious gaming rooms, is another favorite. TURKISH BATH The Al-Nouzha Bath Beirut?s last operating public bath located in Basta Tahta, provides a real glimpse of old Beirut. Although not traditional in style, the scrub down you get is authentic. Sauna, steam room and massage facilities can be found as well. Women?s hours: Monday morning; men?s, all other times. SPORTS Those who appreciate the best in horse racing will enjoy Beirut?s racetrack, where every Sunday pure bred Arabians run. Beirut?s Gold Club is open to foreign visitors who can use the 9-hole course, swimming pool, squash and tennis courts for a moderate fee. Along Beirut?s shores are many resort complexes, beaches and swimming clubs with aquatic amusements and sports on offer. More exercise is available at health clubs in the city. RAOUCHE Raouche, on Beirut?s western-most tip, is a popular area with something for everyone. Its most famous landmark is Pigeon Rocks, huge formations which stand like sentinels off the coast. Numerous restaurants in Raouche serve local and foreign cuisne, while cliff-side caf?s offer a good range of snacks. But walking and jogging are the favorite pastimes on this seaside promenade. The shores near Pigeon Rocks have yielded the oldest evidence we have of human existence on the site of Beirut. Flints and basic tools found here are displayed in the AUB Archaeological Museum. SHOPPING Name what you want and it is almost sure to be available in the shops and street markets of Beirut. Traitional crafts, high fashion jewelry or everyday needs, are all easy to find. Most standard shopping can be done in the Mar Elias area, Hamra Street, Rashid Karam? Street (ex Verdun), Achrafieh and Furn el-Shebback. Bargain hunters are urged to try Bourj Hammoud and Basta ?Tahta.