Lebanon Geography

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Mt. Herman & the Lebanese Mountains

The Beqa Valley & Baalbek



It was also a country sandwiched in-between Syria and Palestine . Perhaps no other country was as defined by its geography as Lebanon.

Lebanon geography consists of great forests from the mountains, fertile land in the Beqa Valley, and great natural harbors along the coast. The history of Lebanon, thus, was a diverse and rich history.

The snow capped mountain peaks have been offered as the reasoning behind the name "Lebanon".

Lebanon geography starts in the east with the Mediterranean Sea. The coastline of Lebanon stretches over 130 miles along the Great Sea.

Lebanon geography allowed for the development of great port cities, formed from natural harbors. Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos were just a few of the great Phoenician ports. Phoenician culture dominated Lebanon, and impacted ancient Israel mightily as well. The shoreline was rocky in the north, and sandy in the south.

As one ventures eastward, the Lebanon geography changes once again. The Lebanese Mountains quickly come into view, towering above the horizon. Lebanon geography is divided by this range, and the Anti-Lebanese Mountains, further east.

The Western Mountain Range of Lebanon, also known as Mount Lebanon, are the highest and most rugged of the two ranges. It was from this range the famed "cedars of Lebanon" were harvested. The Phoenicians used these trees to build their extensive navy.

Interestingly, though, the ancients practiced sound environmental strategies by continually planting trees, thus replenishing the supply.

2 Kings 5:6 makes mention of cutting "cedars from Lebanon" for the Temple Solomon was to build. Solomon used these cedars for his palace as well.

The Egyptians desired these cedars for use on their sacred boats, used to carry images of gods up and down the Nile. Byblos was the port of entry for the cedars. Byblos was an ancient city, dating back to before 9,000 B.C.E. It was an extremely important port city in antiquity.

Excavations at Byblos have revealed a heavy Egyptian presence in the 2nd millennium B.C. Cultures and civilizations from all parts of the world would have docked at Byblos.

The highest peak reaches 10,115 feet. Local residents found safety in the high altitudes from marauding invaders. On the highest slopes, there remains today the last remaining groves of the prized cedars of Lebanon.

As the map of Lebanon descends down the eastern slopes of Mount Lebanon, the Beqa Valley summons from below.

The Beqa Valley is located 19 miles east of Beirut, and stretches a total of 75 miles from north to south. The Beqa rises just over 3,000 feet in elevation, and is very well watered by two rivers.

This valley was rich in resources, and throughout the history of Palestine trade flowed between the regions. Lebanon maintained a steady presence throughout the history of Palestine.

King David invaded this region, taking over the rich copper deposits located in Aram-Zobah, and the ivory found in Hamath, located on the Orontes.

Lebanon geography then rises up the western slopes of the Anit-Lebanese mountains, the second of the two ranges. The Eastern Mountain Range of Lebanon, or, the Anit-Lebanese Mountains, are nearly identical in size and ruggedness to their western counterpart.

However, these mountains are not as fertile, or productive, as Mount Lebanon. The Anti-Lebanese possess a maximum height of 9,232 feet. The name stems from the Greek word translated as, "opposite".

The famous Mt. Herman was the largest peak, and is located at the southern end of the range. It was at Mt. Herman

the prophet Enoch claimed the Watchers descended from the heavens. Mount Herman has also been suggested as a site for the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Jesus took three of His disciples with Him to a mountain top, and there Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus.

Phoenicia

Inhabiting the western coast of Lebanon were the Phoenicians. Stuck between the sea and the mountains, Phoenicia had little choice but to look to the sea.

They also impacted the history of Palestine through their colonization of the Mediterranean and trade and commerce from Greece, Rome, Africa, and other countries throughout the Great Sea.

The mountains not only inhibited travel, but also limited the amount of land available for crops.

Natural ports and harbors lined the coast of Phoenicia in cities such as Tyre, Byblos, Sidon, Beyrutus, and Arvad.

Consequently, Phoenicians became the greatest sea merchants of the ancient world.

Their ships scoured the Mediterranean waters. Carthage,Cadiz, and Marseilles were examples of cities colonized by Phoenician seafarers.

Within the history of Palestine, Israel and Phoenicia developed a very close bond, with Israel exchanging her agricultural goods for Phoenicia's trading links.

Share Your Thoughts on Lebanon and Palestine. Do you live in Lebanon? Have you ever been there? Share with us your insight, thoughts, comments, and questions!

Study Resources

Lebanon in Pictures (Visual Geography. Second Series)

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