LEBANON, a mountain range in Syria. The word Lebanon is derived from a Semitic root meaning "white"; and this name is given to the moun tains, because of the whitish color of their rocks. The mountains belong geo logically to the Cretaceous system, and consist principally of limestones and chalks. They are divided into two par allel ranges, the Lebanon on the W. and the Anti-Lebanon (or more correctly Anti-Libanus) on thc E. Between them lies the deep valley of the Bulth (the ancient Ccele-Syria), which is from 4 to 6 miles wide, and is watered by the rivers Litany and El-Asi (the ancient Orontes). The former flows S. W., then turning ab ruptly to the W., reaches the sea a little N. of Tyre; while the latter flows in the opposite direction, and after crossing the plains of Hamath likewise turns to the W. to the Mediterranean. The highest summits occur in the N. in both ranges, but are higher in Lebanon than in Anti Lebanon; in the former they vary from 10,018 (EI-Kazib) to 7,000 feet and less, and in the latter are about 8,000 or 9,000 feet. In both ranges the E. ver sant is the steeper and sterner. The W. slopes of Lebanon are broken by numer ous deep transverse valleys, running be tween the spurs that the main chain sends down to the very edge of the sea, where they often terminate in bold head lands. The W. slopes of Anti-Lebanon are more barren and more broken by crags and bare rocks. The valleys and
the lower slopes of the hills are gener ally verdant with vegetation. The vine is extensively grown, and wine is made, but is all consumed at home. Mulberry trees figure prominently; for the manu facture of silk is one of the most impor tant industries of the mountaineers. Olive groves and orchards (nuts and figs) abound everywhere. The higher slopes are in many districts covered with forests of oak, cypress, pine, plane, etc. Contrary to the current belief, remains of the great cedar forests of Solomon's time exist in more places than the single grove of 377 trees at the head of Ked isha valley. Tobacco, wheat, barley, and millet are the chief crops cultivated. Owing to the elevated situation, the cli mate is healthful and bracing. Streams of clear water are numerous. The in habitants number in all about 400,000; 230,000 Maronites, 50,000 Druses, and 30,000 Moslems, and a few converts of the American Protestant and the Roman Catholic missionaries of Beyrout. After the bloody quarrels of the Druses and Maronites in 1860, the district of Leb anon was separated (1861) from the Turkish pashalik of Syria, and put under a Christian governor, the European powers constituting themselves the "guardians" of the new province.