1Beirut, Lebanon – Around 5000 BC
Modern Beirut may be known for its lively cultural scene, restaurants and Mediterranean atmosphere, but its roots reach thousands of years into the past. Archaeological evidence places early settlement in the area around the 5th millennium BC.
Over the centuries, Beirut has been influenced by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Ottomans and many other civilizations.
Its long history is particularly fascinating because the ancient settlement evolved into a major modern capital rather than becoming simply an archaeological site.
