LEBANON, Mountains of, Syria, two nearly parallel mountain ranges which, com mencing at about lat. 25' N., stretch south southwest toward Palestine, enclosing between them a valley about 70 miles long by 15 miles wide, now simply distinguished by the name of El-Bukaa, Uthe valley, D but known anciently by the name of Coele-Syria (hollow Syria). To distinguish the two ranges that on the west is called Lebanon, and that on the east Anti Lebanon; the Arabs, call the former Jebel Libnan, and the latter Jebel-esh-Shurky. Lebanon, which runs almost parallel to the Mediterranean coast, and at no great distance from it, may be considered as terminating near the coast, a little north of the mouth of the Litani, between Tyre and Sidon. It is the loftier range of the two, and presents almost a continuous ridge without any marked break. Its loftiest summit — Dhor-el-Khodih, in the north, has a height as given by barometer of 10,060 feet. Anti-Lebanon has a much lower average height, and the culminating point of this chain, Herman, has a height of 9,200 feet. The prevailing rock of Lebanon is limestone, of a whitish color, and from this its name, which means is supposed to be derived, though others ascribe it to the snows which cover it. There are iron and coal deposits, red amber and asphalt. The loftiest summits of Lebanon, presenting lofty precipices and wild narrow gorges, are almost absolutely barren; but at some distance below, vegetation makes its appearance, the pastures become verdant, and, by means of artificial terraces, cultivation is successfully carried on upon rugged slopes where it would otherwise be im possible. The southern part of the valley is
drained by the river Litany (Leontes), which has cut through the Lebanon a most beautiful gorge. A narrow gauge railway now runs through the Lebanon to Beirut The inhabit able districts are occupied toward the north by the Maronite Christians, a hardy and in dustrious race, and toward the south by the warlike Druses. Numerous villages and con vents are to be seen on the sides and summits of the cliffs. The forests of cedar for which Lebanon was anciently celebrated are repre sented by a few groves on Lebanon, there being none now on Anti-Lebanon. (See CEDAR). The other prevailing forest trees are firs and oaks. The silkworm and the vine are largely cultivated, and olive, fig and mulberry trees abound. Considerable numbers of wild beasts, as the jackal, hyena, wolf, bear and panther, in habit the glens and higher peaks. Since the massacre of the Christians in 1860, which was followed by French intervention, the Sanjak of Lebanon has been under a Christian gov ernor, nominated by the Sultan subject to the •roval of the Great Powers. Pop. about 11,000: 230,000 Maronites, 50,000 Druses and 30,000 of Moslem faith.