ADVERTISEMENT

Nowadays, when we think of the Middle East, we're often met with a harsh juxtaposition between seemingly endless riches from the oil industry and the harsh brutality of conflict and war. We often forget the beautiful nature hiding between the sea and sand.

One of the oases of the region is Lebanon. Located between Syria and the Mediterranean Sea, with Israel to the South and Cyprus to the west, Lebanon is a relatively small country with only a little over 10 thousand square kilometres of land.  But despite a  small surface area, the country is home to numerous mountains, 225km stretch of coastline and scenic valleys. With everything located so closely, one could go skiing in the mountains and sunbathing at the beach within hours!

Its capital, Beirut, is one of the oldest cities in the world, being inhabited for more than 5,000 years. And the city alone is just a taste of the region's rich history. With mountains and the sea at the hand's reach, and the land so culturally saturated that people spend hours writing guides on how to properly explore it, it's not hard to see why Lebanon is called "the pearl of the middle east". It's no surprise that tourists would flock to see all the country's wonders.

However, a lot of things changed in the region in 2010 when the Syrian Civil War broke out. As Lebanon shares a border with Syria, it didn't take long before the ripples reached the country. While the government reported over 2 million tourists at the beginning of 2010, as soon as the war started, the number dropped by 38%. The neighbouring war has been nothing but disruptive for the Lebanese economy.

And while it's understandable that the conflict nearby scared people that wanted to visit Lebanon away, there's too much beauty to ignore. That is exactly what a 29-year-old photographer from Jezzine, Rami Rizk, is trying to show. In his 2018 photoseries "Lebanon like never seen before" Rizk showcases the beautiful landscape of the country, full of green trees spread across the mountains and valleys, cities knitted between land and sea, and the stunning architecture.

"I choose Lebanon because it's simply my land, my country, that I want to show the way I see it, and I want it to be perceived." the photographer told Bored Panda. If he could put together a message he is trying to convey with his photos it would be "love Lebanon because it's different than what you think. And that's what [he shows] in [his] captures".

Scroll down below to see the beauty that Rizk saw and captured for the world to see, and don't forget to comment and vote for your favorites.

More info: Facebook | Instagram

#2

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
abaglunch avatar
John R.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks wonderful! Like something out of a dream! What was this place before?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#6

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
mehyeddinesolh avatar
Mehyeddine Solh
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oyoun orghosh ...where the snow high becomes more than 30 meters in the winter...lovely stories you will hear from the people there

View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A city by the waterfall? Wow, that's unusual. I'm so used to see waterfalls in separated nature parks, and even when they're within a city, again, they're in a park area.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
danielle_5678 avatar
Danielle Holder
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They tried a bunch of dif things and that shape (mid & left) is the best at preventing soil erosion and breaking waves, as they all lock together without special placement.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#18

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
chantalhawat avatar
chantal hawat
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Faraya, home to the highest peak in lebanon, chalets, and ski city in winter. Newly erected statue of St-Charbel watches over Lebanon.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#25

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
farah-darwich1 avatar
Farah Darwich
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And you can here both calls to prayer, athan from the mosque and church bells

View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
#30

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#37

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
#38

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
#39

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
hady_basha6 avatar
Hady Basha
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hamas doesnt operate on Lebanese soil, its a Palestinian group on Palestinian soil, if you want to spew hate and propaganda, AT LEAST do some research !

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#41

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
#42

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
hanzealberts avatar
Annette Delgato
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish the photographer would put captions on all of these! At least just the place names

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#43

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

#46

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
chantalhawat avatar
chantal hawat
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yesou3 el malak (Jesus the king) overlooking the highway, hotel and sea

View more commentsArrow down menu
#50

Lebanon Photos

Rami Rizk Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda