Zahlé | |
---|---|
District | |
قضاء زحلة | |
Country | Lebanon |
Capital | Zahlé |
Area | |
• Total | 164 sq mi (425 km2) |
Population | |
• Estimate (31 December 2017) | 336,382 |
Time zone | UTC+2 ( EET) |
• Summer ( DST) | UTC+3 ( EEST) |
Zahlé District (Arabic: قضاء زحلة) is an administrative district of the Beqaa Governorate of the Republic of Lebanon. Its capital and largest town is the town of the same name. A reed-roofed town set among the eastern foothills of Mount Sannine. Zahle was founded about 300 years ago in an area whose past reaches back some five millennia. [1]
The Zahlé district is one of the most diverse regions in Lebanon. Roughly 55% of the population is of the Christian religion, with a decent portion being Greek Catholic. The remaining 45% of the population is of the Muslim religion, which the majority belongs to the Sunni and a minority of Shiite denominations. The area is also home to a modest Armenian Orthodox and Catholic population, who have historically resided near the Anjar area of the district.
33°50′48″N 35°53′51″E / 33.8468°N 35.8976°E