Beirut, Lebanon

Capital City

Beirut is a city of contradictions, where the population of 2.4 million contends with heavy bureaucracy and occasional flare-ups of violence. While the capital boasts a cosmopolitan culture and thriving financial sector, the tax burden is heavy, and concrete covers 80% of the metropolitan area, leaving little green space. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the city's vulnerability to natural disasters like the 2020 port explosion is an ever-present concern. Still, Beirut's status as a regional hub for banking, tourism, and media makes it an alluring destination for those seeking the excitement of the Middle East, if they can weather the challenges.