The Arab Republic of Lebanon is one of the Arab countries located in the continent of Asia, on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and extends its length from north to south, so it extends on long coasts.
Lebanon's maritime site has made its geographical location historically important. The first inhabitants of the land of Lebanon were Phoenicians and their villages spread along the maritime coasts. They were able to establish small Phoenician kingdoms that often belonged to other countries. These kingdoms did not unite but were rival.
All of these kingdoms worked in commerce; trade was the main craft of the population, especially the Phoenicians were distinguished by their maritime experience. They made their ships with their hands, relying on the trees of the cedar trees which spread in the region, so their trade expanded to reach Egypt, the Levant, France and Italy. It is cause rivalry their kingdoms.
Lebanon was governed by Assyrians, Babylonians, Chaldeans, Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Crusaders. After these covenants came the reign of the Islamic state. Each of these covenants has left traces in Lebanon, many of which still exist. Lebanon has combined its moderate climate with its evergreen trees, especially the cedar trees, which are distinguished from other neighboring areas. Which made it a distinct tourist country, helped by the nature of his people loving life and dealing with others.
The most prominent archaeological areas left by the crusaders
Tripoli Castle: The castle of Tripoli built the Crusaders during their occupation of the area to be a fortress for the start of their armies to control the neighboring areas, was the location of this castle, like other castles built by the Crusaders in a region overlooking all parts of the city of Tripoli and neighboring areas, "Relative to" Raymond de Saint-Gilles ".
This castle was burned during the Mamluks during their war with the Crusaders in 1289, and was restored during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The castle consists of a large number of rooms, galleries, staircases and watchtowers. It consists of two floors: a floor carved with underground rock, and a floor on which the columns are built.
Sidon Castle: Sidon is the capital of southern Lebanon, built by the castle overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and was built at the entrance to the city of Sidon in 1228. There is a magnificent mosque inside the castle. The castle was built for the same military purposes and consists of a number of rooms, corridors, towers, storage depots and others.