UNESCO-Registered Site Preserves Nature & History

The Cedars of Lebanon, also known as The Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab in Lebanese Arabic), is a UNESCO-registered forest located in northern LEBANON, a country that borders the Mediterranean Sea and located north of Israel and west of Syria. Like many countries, Lebanon had a high deforestation rate, so much of the country lacks huge forest systems. Luckily, the Cedars of Lebanon remains and now is preserved. This site earned a UNESCO designation since 1998 for another reason besides natural preservation. According to the Forest of the Cedars of God UNESCO page (opens in new window or tab), the Lebanon Cedar (Cedrus lebani) has a biblical significance - a clue given by the long name of the forest! As the website explains, the tree has been mentioned in the Bible at least 100 times and was a valued source for wood in ancient and Biblical times. The Lebanon Cedar tree is a national symbol for Lebanon and is present on the country's flag and currency.