a republic in W Asia, on the Mediterranean: an important centre of the Phoenician civilization in the third millennium bc; part of the Ottoman Empire from 1516 until 1919; gained independence in 1941 (effective by 1945). Official language: Arabic; French and English are also widely spoken. Religion: Muslim, Christian, and Druse. Currency: Lebanese pound. Capital: Beirut. Pop: 6 082 357 (2017 est). Area: 10 400 sq km (4015 sq miles)