Tripoliis the largestcityin northernLebanonand the second-largest city in the country. Situated 85 kilometers (53 miles) north of the capitalBeirut,Tripoli overlooks the easternMediterranean Sea, and it is the northernmostseaportin Lebanon. It holds offshore a string of four small islands, the only surviving islands of Lebanon. ThePalm Islandswere declared aprotected areabecause of their status of haven for endangered loggerhead turtles (Chelona mydas), rare monk seals andmigratory birds.
Even though the history of Tripoli dates back at least to the 14th century BCE, the city is famous for the largest Crusader fortress in Lebanon (theCitadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles), and it is the second largest city (behindCairo) in terms ofMamluk architectural heritage.