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Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, located on a peninsula extending into the Mediterranean Sea.
Answer: True
Explanation: Beirut, as the capital and largest city of Lebanon, is geographically characterized by its location on a peninsula extending into the Mediterranean Sea, specifically at the midpoint of Lebanon's coast.
Greater Beirut's estimated population of 2.5 million in 2014 accounted for over three-quarters of Lebanon's total population.
Answer: False
Explanation: As of 2014, Greater Beirut's estimated population of 2.5 million constituted just under half of Lebanon's total population, not over three-quarters.
Beirut is the second-largest city in the Levant region and the tenth-largest in the Arab world.
Answer: False
Explanation: Beirut is identified as the fourth-largest city in the Levant region and the sixteenth-largest in the Arab world, not the second and tenth, respectively.
What is the geographical characteristic of Beirut's location?
Answer: It is situated on a peninsula extending westward into the Mediterranean Sea.
Explanation: Beirut is geographically defined by its location on a peninsula that projects westward into the Mediterranean Sea, flanked by the Lebanon Mountains.
As of 2014, what proportion of Lebanon's total population did Greater Beirut account for?
Answer: Just under half.
Explanation: In 2014, Greater Beirut's estimated population of 2.5 million constituted just under half of Lebanon's total population.
How does Beirut rank in terms of size within the Levant region?
Answer: Fourth-largest.
Explanation: Beirut is ranked as the fourth-largest city within the Levant region.
Beirut has been continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years, making it one of the oldest cities globally.
Answer: True
Explanation: Archaeological evidence and historical records confirm that Beirut has been continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years, positioning it among the world's most ancient cities.
The English name 'Beirut' is derived from a Greek word meaning 'fortress'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The English name 'Beirut' originates from the Phoenician word 'bērut', meaning 'wells', referring to the site's natural water table, not a Greek word meaning 'fortress'.
The name 'Biruta' was first attested in the 10th century BC in Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Answer: False
Explanation: The name 'Biruta' was first attested in the 14th century BC, not the 10th century BC, and appeared in Akkadian cuneiform tablets among the Amarna letters, not Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Excavations in downtown Beirut have revealed historical layers from numerous periods, including Phoenician, Roman, and Ottoman.
Answer: True
Explanation: Archaeological excavations in downtown Beirut have indeed revealed a rich stratigraphy, encompassing historical layers from the Phoenician, Roman, and Ottoman periods, among others, demonstrating continuous occupation.
A controversial discovery in 2011 claimed a new Phoenician port, but the Minister of Culture authorized its destruction for construction.
Answer: True
Explanation: A claimed discovery of a new Phoenician port in Beirut in 2011 became highly controversial when the Minister of Culture subsequently authorized its destruction for a construction project in 2012.
The Phoenician city of Beirut was destroyed in 140 BC by Diodotus Tryphon and subsequently rebuilt as Laodicea in Phoenicia.
Answer: True
Explanation: Historical accounts confirm that the Phoenician city of Beirut was destroyed in 140 BC by Diodotus Tryphon during a dynastic conflict and was later rebuilt as Laodicea in Phoenicia.
Berytus was granted full Italian rights (ius Italicum) by Emperor Augustus, exempting its citizens from imperial taxation, making it unique in Syria-Phoenicia.
Answer: True
Explanation: Under Emperor Augustus in 14 BC, Berytus received the unique privilege of *ius Italicum*, granting its citizens full Italian rights and exemption from imperial taxation, a distinction unparalleled in Syria-Phoenicia.
The law school in Berytus was recognized by Emperor Justinian as one of the empire's three official law schools, with its jurists contributing to the *Pandects*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The law school in Berytus held significant prestige, being recognized by Emperor Justinian as one of the Roman Empire's three official law schools, with its prominent jurists contributing substantially to the *Pandects*.
The 551 AD earthquake in Berytus caused minimal damage, and its law school remained unaffected.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 551 AD earthquake in Berytus was catastrophic, causing widespread destruction, an estimated 30,000 deaths, and the transfer of the law school's students to Sidon, indicating severe impact, not minimal damage.
For how many years has Beirut been continuously inhabited, establishing it as one of the world's oldest cities?
Answer: More than 5,000 years.
Explanation: Beirut's continuous habitation spans over 5,000 years, a duration that qualifies it as one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.
When was the name 'Biruta' first attested in historical records?
Answer: In the 14th century BC.
Explanation: The earliest historical attestation of the name 'Biruta' dates to the 14th century BC, found in Akkadian cuneiform tablets among the Amarna letters.
What was the official Roman name for Berytus when it became a Roman colony?
Answer: Colonia Iulia Augusta Felix Berytus.
Explanation: Upon becoming a Roman colony, Berytus was officially named 'Colonia Iulia Augusta Felix Berytus' to commemorate its imperial patrons.
What controversy arose in 2012 regarding a claimed discovery of a Phoenician port in Beirut?
Answer: The Minister of Culture authorized its destruction for a construction project.
Explanation: A significant controversy emerged in 2012 concerning a purported Phoenician port discovery in Beirut when the Minister of Culture permitted its demolition for a construction project, sparking debate over heritage preservation.
Who destroyed the Phoenician city of Beirut in 140 BC during a conflict for control of the Seleucid monarchy?
Answer: Diodotus Tryphon.
Explanation: The Phoenician city of Beirut was destroyed in 140 BC by Diodotus Tryphon during his struggle with Antiochus VII Sidetes for control of the Seleucid monarchy.
What special status did Berytus achieve under Emperor Augustus in 14 BC, making it unique in the Syria-Phoenicia region?
Answer: It was granted full Italian rights (ius Italicum).
Explanation: Under Emperor Augustus in 14 BC, Berytus received *ius Italicum*, conferring full Italian rights and tax exemption, a unique privilege within the Syria-Phoenicia region.
Which two famous Roman jurists, natives of Phoenicia, taught at the renowned law school in Berytus?
Answer: Papinian and Ulpian.
Explanation: The renowned law school in Berytus was home to two of Rome's most distinguished jurists, Papinian and Ulpian, both natives of Phoenicia, whose works significantly influenced Roman law.
What was a direct consequence of the devastating 551 AD earthquake in Berytus?
Answer: The law school students were transferred to Sidon.
Explanation: A direct consequence of the devastating 551 AD earthquake in Berytus, which caused widespread destruction and loss of life, was the relocation of its prestigious law school's students to Sidon.
During the Crusades, Beirut was known as 'Berytus' in French.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the Crusades, Beirut was known in French as 'Barut' or 'Baruth', while 'Berytus' was its Roman Latinized name.
Beirut was continuously held by Crusader states from 1110 to 1291 without interruption.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Beirut was part of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem from 1110 to 1291, its control was not continuous; it was captured by Saladin in 1187 before being recaptured by Crusaders in 1197.
The 1860 Lebanon conflict led to a significant influx of Sunni Muslim refugees into Beirut, altering its religious composition.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1860 Lebanon conflict resulted in a significant influx of Maronite Christian refugees into Beirut, not Sunni Muslim refugees, which altered the city's religious demographic.
In 1888, Beirut was designated as the capital of a vilayet within Syria, overseeing several prefectures.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1888, Beirut was indeed elevated to the status of a vilayet capital within Syria by the Ottoman administration, granting it oversight over several prefectures.
According to the 1911 *Encyclopaedia Britannica*, Christians constituted the largest religious group in Beirut.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1911 *Encyclopaedia Britannica* reported 77,000 Christians in Beirut's population, which was the largest religious group compared to 36,000 Muslims and other minorities.
Who rebuilt Beirut and constructed his palace there after its destruction by the Ayyubids during the Crusader period?
Answer: John of Ibelin, the Old Lord of Beirut.
Explanation: John of Ibelin, known as the Old Lord of Beirut, was responsible for rebuilding the city and constructing his palace after its destruction by the Ayyubids during the Crusader era.
With which European imperial power did Beirut develop strong commercial and political connections in the second half of the 19th century under Ottoman rule, driven by demand for Lebanese silk?
Answer: France.
Explanation: In the latter half of the 19th century, Beirut forged robust commercial and political ties with France under Ottoman rule, largely propelled by the European demand for Lebanese silk.
What demographic change occurred in Beirut as a result of the 1860 Lebanon conflict?
Answer: Beirut became a refuge for Maronite Christian refugees.
Explanation: The 1860 Lebanon conflict led to a notable demographic shift in Beirut, as the city became a sanctuary for Maronite Christian refugees, thereby altering its religious composition.
What administrative change occurred in Beirut in 1888 under Ottoman rule?
Answer: It was designated as the capital of a vilayet within Syria.
Explanation: In 1888, under Ottoman administration, Beirut underwent a significant administrative change, being designated as the capital of a vilayet (governorate) within Syria, with jurisdiction over several prefectures.
What type of infrastructure development was established in Beirut by French engineers in 1894 and 1907?
Answer: A modern harbor and a rail link to Damascus and Aleppo.
Explanation: French engineers significantly contributed to Beirut's infrastructure development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by establishing a modern harbor in 1894 and a rail link to Damascus and Aleppo by 1907.
According to the 1911 *Encyclopaedia Britannica*, what was the approximate number of Christians in Beirut's population?
Answer: 77,000.
Explanation: The 1911 *Encyclopaedia Britannica* recorded approximately 77,000 Christians in Beirut's population, making them the largest religious group at that time.
Despite severe damage from conflicts like the Lebanese Civil War and the 2020 Port explosion, Beirut has consistently been rebuilt.
Answer: True
Explanation: Beirut has a documented history of resilience, undergoing significant rebuilding efforts following major destructive events such as the Lebanese Civil War, the 2006 Lebanon War, and the 2020 Port explosion.
The Lebanese Civil War led to Beirut being divided into a Muslim west and a Christian east, with the downtown area becoming a 'no man's land'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Lebanese Civil War profoundly impacted Beirut, resulting in its division into a predominantly Muslim west and a Christian east, with the central downtown area becoming a demilitarized 'no man's land' known as the Green Line.
Solidere, established by Rafic Hariri, was widely praised for its transparent and culturally sensitive reconstruction of downtown Beirut.
Answer: False
Explanation: Solidere, the company responsible for downtown Beirut's reconstruction, faced significant criticism for alleged conflicts of interest, undervalued land expropriation, and the destruction of architectural and cultural heritage, rather than being widely praised for transparency and cultural sensitivity.
The 2015 suicide bombings in Beirut were claimed by Al-Qaeda, killing 43 people.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 2015 suicide bombings in Beirut, which killed 43 people, were claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), not Al-Qaeda.
The 2020 Beirut explosion, caused by stored ammonium nitrate, resulted in over 6,500 injuries and left 300,000 people homeless.
Answer: True
Explanation: The catastrophic 2020 Beirut explosion, attributed to stored ammonium nitrate, caused over 6,500 injuries and displaced approximately 300,000 people, in addition to causing numerous fatalities.
Which of the following events caused severe damage to Beirut in recent decades, leading to subsequent rebuilding?
Answer: The Lebanese Civil War, the 2006 Lebanon War, and the 2020 Port explosion.
Explanation: Beirut has experienced severe damage from significant events such as the Lebanese Civil War, the 2006 Lebanon War, and the 2020 Port explosion, each followed by extensive rebuilding efforts.
Beirut's primary economic role is in agriculture, with limited international financial importance.
Answer: False
Explanation: Beirut's economy is primarily service-oriented, with significant importance in banking and tourism, and it functions as a major seaport and a Beta-World City, indicating substantial international financial relevance.
Beirut has abundant green spaces, with public gardens covering over 50% of the capital's area.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the statement, Beirut suffers from a severe lack of green spaces, possessing only two main public gardens, with concrete roofs covering 80% of the capital's area.
Which of the following best describes Beirut's central role in the Lebanese economy?
Answer: Hosting many banks and corporations, and serving as an important seaport.
Explanation: Beirut's central economic role is characterized by its function as a significant seaport and a hub for numerous banks and corporations, reflecting its service-oriented economy with banking and tourism as primary growth sectors.