LEBANON, MorwT, or JEBEL LHSNAN, the western and higher of two mountain chains which run through Syria from n. to s. parallel with the coast of the Levant. Its averame height is about 7,000 ft., but its loftiest peak, Dahrel-Khotib, in the range called attains an elevation of 10,050 feet. For six months of the year this mountain is covered with snow. The next highest point is Jebel Sunnin, 8,555 feet.. The road from Baalbek to Tripoli crosses Lebanon at an elevation of 7,830 feet. From the western side of the range several spurs strike off across the narrow strip of level coast, and project upon the Levantin bold promontories. In the s. are the sources of the Jordan, the most important river that rises in Lebanon; not far from Dahrel-Khotib, of the Orontes, the next largest stream, which flows northward, and intersects the chain at Antaki (Antioch). Lebanon derives its name, not from the snow that whitens
its peaks, but from its chalk cliffs. The vegetation of Lebanon is, on the whole, scanty; here and there woods and willow-groves are seen; the lower parts of the mountains, however, are everywhere well watered and cultivated, and the valleys are often covered with orchards, vineyards, olive and mulberry plantations, and cornfields. The habitable districts are mostly in the possession of Maronites (q.v.) and Druses (q.v.). Everywhere the range of Lebanon is wild and solitary; the only sound that falls upon the ear of the traveler is the scream of the eagle. Numerous monasteries offer comfortable accommo dation to the weary traveler at the close of almost every day's wanderings. The once famous cedars of Lebanon have almost disappeared; only a solitary grove remains. See