Lebanese

Lebanese refers to people from Lebanon or of Lebanese descent. The population is diverse in ethnicity, religion, and culture. In Lebanon, the majority are native Lebanese, but the country also hosts minorities and various diaspora communities. A large diaspora lives in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Gulf, contributing to a transnational Lebanese identity.

Lebanon's history includes ancient Phoenician city-states, centuries under Arab empires and the Ottoman Empire, French influence, and independence in 1943. The society is pluralistic, with major religious communities including Muslims (Sunni and Shia), Christians (Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic), and Druze. Lebanese politics operates on a confessional system that allocates offices to different groups to maintain balance.

Lebanese is the demonym for the people and a reference to the country's language varieties. Arabic is the official language, with Lebanese Arabic used in daily life and Modern Standard Arabic in formal contexts. French and English are widely used in education, media, and business. Other communities, such as Armenians, preserve their own languages and cultural practices.

Culture encompasses a rich culinary tradition (meze, man'oushe, kibbeh), music, literature, and cinema. Beirut has long been a regional cultural hub. The economy is service-oriented, with finance, tourism, and real estate playing major roles, but it has faced repeated crises and political instability. Emigration remains an important aspect of Lebanese life.