The tourism industry in Lebanon has been historically important to the local economy and remains to this day to be a major source of revenue for Lebanon. Before the Lebanese Civil War, Beirut was widely regarded as “The Paris of the Middle East,” often cited as a financial and business hub where visitors could experience the Levantine Mediterranean culture, cuisine, history, archaeology, and architecture of Lebanon.
From Stone Age settlements to Phoenician city-states, from Roman temples to rock-cut hermitages, from Crusader Castles to Mamluk mosques and Ottoman hammams, the country’s historical and archaeological sites are displayed all across the country reflecting ancient and modern world history. Lebanon has a long-standing history of cultural tourism.
- First, wooden structures are flexible and have the ability to absorb shock and vibrations, which helps to reduce the risk of structural damage during an earthquake. Unlike rigid concrete and brick structures, wooden structures are able to bend and sway with the movement of the earth, reducing the risk of collapse and reducing the severity of any damage that does occur.
- Second, prefabricated wooden homes are often designed and engineered with seismic considerations in mind. For example, the homes may have a continuous load path that connects the foundation, walls, and roof, ensuring that the structure is stable and able to withstand the forces of an earthquake.