# Byblos

> Mediterranean city in the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon, a main Canaanite-Phoenician city

**Wikidata**: [Q173532](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q173532)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byblos)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/byblos

## Summary
Byblos is a Mediterranean city located in the Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon, recognized as one of the main Canaanite-Phoenician cities. It functions as a human settlement, archaeological site, city, and city-state, with a history tracing back to the Neolithic period and a founding date around 800 BCE. It is also known by its native name Jubayl (جبيل).

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Jbeil District, Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon, on the Mediterranean coast.
- **Geography**: Area of 5 square kilometers; elevation 10 meters above sea level; coordinates 34.1167°N, 35.65°E.
- **Time Zone**: UTC+02:00 (standard time), UTC+03:00 (daylight saving time).
- **Heritage Status**: UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984 (ID: 295), meeting criteria (iii), (iv), and (vi).
- **Historical Significance**: Founded around 800 BCE (inception: -800); one of the main Canaanite-Phoenician cities; time period includes Neolithic.
- **Political/Administrative Roles**: Capital of the Jbeil District; historically capital of the Lordship of Gibelet.
- **Demographics/Classification**: Instance of human settlement, archaeological site, city, and city-state.
- **Sister Cities**: Patras (Greece), Cádiz (Spain), Agia Napa (Cyprus, since 2018).
- **Digital Identifiers**: Wikidata ID (implicit), VIAF ID 236822589, GeoNames ID 273203, GND ID 4091275-9, Freebase ID /m/017ygw.
- **Online Presence**: Official website http://www.jbail-byblos.gov.lb/ (Arabic/English); Wikipedia title "Byblos" with presence in 83 languages.

## FAQs
**What is the historical significance of Byblos?**
Byblos is a major Canaanite-Phoenician city with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Neolithic period. It was officially founded around 800 BCE and served as the capital of the Lordship of Gibelet.

**What are the geographical details of Byblos?**
The city is located in the Jbeil District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate in Lebanon, situated on the Mediterranean coast. It covers an area of 5 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of 10 meters above sea level at coordinates 34.1167°N, 35.65°E.

**When did Byblos become a UNESCO World Heritage Site?**
Byblos was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. It was inscribed under criteria (iii), (iv), and (vi), recognized for its cultural heritage and historical importance.

**What are the sister cities of Byblos?**
Byblos is twinned with Patras in Greece, Cádiz in Spain, and Agia Napa in Cyprus (a relationship established in 2018).

## Why It Matters
Byblos holds immense historical and archaeological significance as a continuously inhabited city with roots extending back to the Neolithic period. As a primary Canaanite-Phoenician city, it played a crucial role in ancient maritime trade and the development of the alphabet. Its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 underscores its global cultural value, preserving layers of human civilization that span millennia. The city's enduring legacy is reflected in its extensive documentation across historical encyclopedias and its recognition in academic and digital repositories worldwide.

## Notable For
- Being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with Neolithic origins.
- Serving as a principal Canaanite-Phoenician city and a key center for ancient trade.
- Holding UNESCO World Heritage Site status since 1984 for its extensive archaeological remains.
- Being referenced in numerous historical encyclopedias, including the Encyclopædia Britannica, Jewish Encyclopedia, and Pauly–Wissowa.
- Its appearance as a city-state in the video game Civilization V.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Byblos is situated on the Mediterranean coast in the Jbeil District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. The city encompasses an area of 5 square kilometers and has an elevation of 10 meters above sea level. Its precise coordinates are 34.116666666667° latitude and 35.65° longitude. The city operates in the UTC+02:00 time zone during standard time and UTC+03:00 during daylight saving time.

### History and Heritage
The historical depth of Byblos is significant, with an inception date around 800 BCE and evidence of settlement during the Neolithic period. It is identified as a main Canaanite-Phoenician city. In 1984, Byblos was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the ID number 295. The designation was based on three cultural criteria: (iii) bearing a unique testimony to a cultural tradition, (iv) being an outstanding example of a type of building or landscape, and (vi) being directly associated with events or traditions. The site is recognized by names in multiple languages including جبيل, 比布鲁斯, Древний город Библ (Джубейль), Biblos, and ビブロス.

### Political and Administrative Context
Administratively, Byblos is the capital of the Jbeil District. Historically, it served as the capital of the Lordship of Gibelet. The city is classified as a human settlement, an archaeological site, a city, and a city-state. It maintains official sister city relationships with Patras (Greece), Cádiz (Spain), and Agia Napa (Cyprus), the latter established in 2018.

### Digital and Academic Presence
Byblos has a comprehensive digital footprint across various academic and knowledge platforms. Its Wikipedia entry exists in over 80 languages, and it has an official website (http://www.jbail-byblos.gov.lb/) in Arabic and English. The city is referenced in numerous authoritative sources, including the Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron, Great Soviet Encyclopedia, Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, and Pauly–Wissowa. It holds identifiers in systems such as VIAF (236822589), GeoNames (273203), GND (4091275-9), and the National Library of Israel (987007567380505171).

### Cultural References
In popular culture, Byblos is featured as a city-state in the video game Civilization V. It also has related identifiers on platforms like Comic Vine (4020-61668) and MusicBrainz (1fe88d03-919f-4271-98a1-11fa79873c91). The entity is distinct from Jbiel, as noted in its structured data.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.patrasevents.gr/article/303087-i-lista-me-tis-23-adelfopoiimenes-poleis-tis-patras-iparxei-ousia-omos)
2. [Source](http://en.sistercity.info/sister-cities/C%C3%A1diz.html)
3. [Source](https://en.famagusta.news/local/ayianapa/me-tin-poli-vyvlo-toy-livanoy-adelfopoiithike-o-dimos-agias-napas)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. MusicBrainz
7. [Source](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/295/)
8. [Source](https://vici.org/vici/2514)
9. GeoNames
10. [Source](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/295)
11. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
12. Enciclopedia Treccani
13. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
14. Dizionario di Storia
15. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
16. museum-digital