Lebanese British
Encyclopedia
Lebanese British include people originating from Lebanon
who have migrated to the United Kingdom
and their descendents.
to Britain since the 17th century, the real growth of the UK Lebanese population began in 1975, with the start of the civil war
in Lebanon which drove thousands of people away. The exodus was aggravated in 1982 with the Israeli invasion
. At the same time, many Lebanese expatriates who were based in West Africa
, in particular Nigeria
, left for Britain as subsequent military governments took control in those areas.
, Kensington
, Shepherds Bush and Westbourne Grove
.
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
who have migrated to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and their descendents.
History and settlement
Although there has been sporadic migration from the Middle EastMiddle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
to Britain since the 17th century, the real growth of the UK Lebanese population began in 1975, with the start of the civil war
Lebanese Civil War
The Lebanese Civil War was a multifaceted civil war in Lebanon. The war lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 230,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people were wounded, and today approximately 350,000 people remain displaced. There was also a mass exodus of...
in Lebanon which drove thousands of people away. The exodus was aggravated in 1982 with the Israeli invasion
1982 Lebanon War
The 1982 Lebanon War , , called Operation Peace for Galilee by Israel, and later known in Israel as the Lebanon War and First Lebanon War, began on 6 June 1982, when the Israel Defense Forces invaded southern Lebanon...
. At the same time, many Lebanese expatriates who were based in West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
, in particular Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, left for Britain as subsequent military governments took control in those areas.
Demographics
The 2001 UK Census recorded 10,459 Lebanese-born people. The number of people of Lebanese ancestry is unknown. Edgware Road in London is one of a number of areas that the Lebanese community and is populated by shops selling Arab newspapers, books and music. Other areas in London include BayswaterBayswater
Bayswater is an area of west London in the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to the west . It is a built-up district located 3 miles west-north-west of Charing Cross, bordering the north of Hyde Park over Kensington Gardens and having a population density of...
, Kensington
Kensington
Kensington is a district of west and central London, England within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. An affluent and densely-populated area, its commercial heart is Kensington High Street, and it contains the well-known museum district of South Kensington.To the north, Kensington is...
, Shepherds Bush and Westbourne Grove
Westbourne Grove
Westbourne Grove is a retail road running across Notting Hill, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, a section of west London, England. It runs from Kensington Park Road in the west to Queensway in the east, crossing over Portobello Road...
.