The narrator is touring Lebanon, visiting various cities and historical sites. They marvel at the country's rich history, diverse culture, and natural beauty. The narrator explores the city of Byblos, which is home to the oldest known alphabet, invented by the Phoenicians around 1200 BC. They discuss the origins of the word "Lebanon," with two theories suggesting it comes from either the word "lebron," meaning white, or "laban," meaning incense. The narrator also visits an archaeological site with ruins from different eras, including the Roman era and the third millennium before Christ. They note the country's diversity, with mosques, churches, and call to prayer bells coexisting. The narrator concludes that Lebanon is prepared for tourism, with modern infrastructure, clean bathrooms, and nice restaurants, making it a recommended destination for travelers.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. In Lebanon, you can travel from one city to another in about 25-30 minutes due to the country's small territorial extension.
2. The city of Byblos is considered one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history dating back thousands of years.
3. The Phoenicians invented the first alphabet, which consisted of 22 characters, in Byblos around 1200 BC.
4. The Phoenician alphabet was written from right to left and was similar to Arabic.
5. The city of Byblos is also known as the "city of books" because it is where the first alphabet was invented and books were first produced.
6. The word "Lebanon" may originate from the word "lebron," which means "white" in reference to the snow-capped mountains in the country.
7. Another theory is that the word "Lebanon" comes from the word "laban," which means "incense" and refers to the aroma of cedar trees in the region.
8. The cedar tree is the national symbol of Lebanon.
9. Lebanon is considered one of the oldest countries in the world, with a history dating back thousands of years.
10. The city of Byblos has a diverse history, with archaeological sites dating back to the Roman era, the Crusades, and even the third millennium BC.
11. In Lebanon, mosques and churches often coexist side by side, reflecting the country's diverse cultural and religious heritage.
12. In the culture of Islam, the call to prayer is made six times a day.
13. Lebanon is prepared for tourism, with clean bathrooms, nice restaurants, and modern infrastructure.
14. The country has a rich history and culture, with many interesting facts and sites to explore.