Modern Beirut offers a series of baffling contradictions. It carries the reputation of being an extremely cosmopolitan city yet much of the original grid pattern of the city, created around the 7th century, still exists. Beirut is also known for its liberal and tolerant way of life even in the midst of destruction, violence, and hostility.

As the industrial revolution spread through Europe and factory produced goods reached the Middle East, Beirut prospered as a port city. Continuing attacks by the Druze in Beirut's hinterland spurred a mass immigration of people seeking refuge and soon Beirut began to outgrow its city walls. By 1848, the city had grown to a population of 15,000 people. By 1888, Beirut had been named the capital of a "separate province comprising the whole of coastal Syria, including Palestine."

Reaching a population of 120,000 people, Beirut gained the attention of the Western World and the United States. Protestant missionaries from Europe and the U.S. as well as Catholic missionaries from France began to take interest in Beirut. The Syrian Protestant College, which later became the American University of Beirut and St. Joseph's University were established in the city and helped to "Westernize" Beirut and instill the liberal and cosmopolitan attitude that is characteristic of modern Beirut. The printing press, also introduced by the missionaries, made a large impact on Beirut. It prompted the growth of Beirut's publishing industry, which is now world famous, and helped to spread social tolerance and intellectual ideas throughout the city.

Occupied by the Allies at the end of World War I, the city was made the capital of Lebanon in 1920 by the French mandatory authorities. The Muslim residents of Beirut strongly opposed the inclusion of Beirut in a "Christian-dominated Lebanon." Tensions only increased between Muslim residents and the Christians of Beirut as the city began to prosper economically and the population began to rapidly increase. These and other factors contributed to the devastating civil war that lasted from 1975 to 1990 and destroyed much of Beirut.