A map is a visual representation of an area -- a symbolic depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that space such as objects, regions and themes. Maps of the world or large areas are often either 'political' or 'physical'. The most important purpose of the political map is to show territorial borders; the purpose of the physical is to show features of geography such as mountains, soil type or land use. Geological maps show not only the physical surface, but characteristics of underlying rock, fault lines and subsurface structures. Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon. It is also the largest seaport of Lebanon. Beirut is home to numerous international organizations. Beirut 's coast is rather diverse; rocky beaches, sandy shores, and cliffs are situated beside one another. Beirut city is backed by the Mount Lebanon which faces the Mediterranean Sea. Beirut is situated on a spur where the narrow coastal plain projects into the Mediterranean Sea. The city of Beirut is situated halfway along the Lebanese coastline with Tripoli to the North, Tyre to the South.
