Originally an offshoot of Islam, they have diversified so much from the mainstream that they are often considered to constitute a whole separate religion. They believe in reincarnation and that there are a fixed number of souls in existence. The largest Christian group is the Maronite sect, followed by the Greek Orthodox, the Greek Catholic, the Syrian Catholic, the Chaldean, the Protestant and the Orthodox churches. Arabic is the official language of Lebanon although French is widely spoken and English is becoming common in business circles. In fact, any effort to communicate with the locals in their own language will be well rewarded.
Lebanese cuisine is an inexpensive delight.
Using fresh and flavoursome ingredients and refined spicing, the Lebanese have taken the best aspects of Turkish and Arabic cooking and given them a French spin. A typical meal consists of a few mezze dishes, such as spinach pies, dips, dried cheese, pizza and stuffed vine leaves. The national dish is kibbe , a finely minced paste of lamb and bulgur wheat, sometimes served raw, but more often fried or baked into a pie. Meals are rounded off with syrupy baklava pastries or other semolina and walnut based desserts. Arabic coffee is very popular.