Districts of Lebanon. The Bsharri District is shown in white.

Bsharri District is one of the 7 districts (qadaa) of the North Governorate, Lebanon. Districts are a type of Administrative division, in some countries managed by a Local government. Kaza, qadaa, qaza, qazaa, or caza (قضاء qaḍāʾ, plural أقضية aqḍiyah; Ottoman Turkish pronunciation North Governorate (الشمال transliterated: ash- Shamal) is one of the Governorates of Lebanon. Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية

Geography

The Bsharri District is a mountainous district. Most of the 26 villages composing it are at an elevation higher than 1. 000 meters. The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International The district is bordered by the Zgharta and Minieh-Dinnieh Districts to the north, the Koura District to the west, the Baalbek District to the east and the Batroun District to the south.

This district is a grouping of 26 villages. It has also one of the important landmark of Eastern Christianity and Maronite history, the major part of the Kadisha Valley, the Qannoubin valley where Hermits have resided since around the year 600 C. Families of churches Eastern Christians have a shared tradition but they became divided ( Schism) during the early centuries of Christianity in disputes about Maronites ( الموارنة,, Syriac: ܡܪܘܢܝܐ, Latin: Ecclesia Maronitarum) are members of one of the Syriac The Kadisha Valley (also known as Qadisha Valley, Wadi Qadisha Ouadi Qadisha or وادي قاديشا in Arabic) lies within the Becharre and A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic" E. , the last being Father Antonios Torbey whose file in the Vatican is progressing toward beatification. The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Roman Catholic Church, together with the Pope He lived most of his life in the ancient monastery of Saint Elisha located in a grotto deep in the Qannoubin Valley. In this valley there is more than 26 monasteries all more than 1000 years old. At the top of this valley, sits the legendary cedar forest.

Population

The population of the district was estimated to be 16,831 by the Ministry of Social Affairs. ^[1] The capital of the district is Bsharri. Bsharri (also spelled Becharre, Bcharre, Bsharre; بْشَرِّيْ is a Lebanese city at 1650 m of altitude near the Kadisha Valley The Ministry's estimate lacks credibility. According to the Daily Star, an English language Lebanese newspaper, a total of 20,000 people in the district voted in the 2005 elections. In addition the Ministry of Social Affairs ^[2] estimates that 39% of the Lebanese population was under 20 years of age which meant they were not eligible to vote and a 60% participation rate. Considering these factors the population may be more realistically estimated at 50,000 people.

The six main clans of the village Bsharri are: Taouk, Sukkar, Fakhri, Geagea, Rahme, Kairouz. Many other families stem into sub-branches from the main six. A reason for this is differentiation of emmigrants after the Second World War. Other small Families are: Shoubay'aa, Arida, Shidya' . . .

The Bsharri district is predominantly Maronite Catholic, from here, 5 great priest were canonized and declared Saint, the most prominent is Saint Charbel from Beqa'a Kafra, well known all over the world for his many miracles. From here also the philosopher Gibran Khalil Gibran started his early life before he emigrated to USA. Kahlil Gibran (born Gibrān Khalīl Gibrān bin Mikhā'īl bin Sa'ad; Arabic ar جبران خليل جبران بن ميخائيل بن سعد (born January The United States of America —commonly referred to as the

The Abi Saab family has resided in the Bsharri District since the 14th century, they were "protectors" of the Maronite area, then governors of the area of Kouwaiteh and then the area of Jebbeh of Bsharri and Zghorta during the period of the Directorates. Maronites ( الموارنة,, Syriac: ܡܪܘܢܝܐ, Latin: Ecclesia Maronitarum) are members of one of the Syriac

Towns and villages

• Abdeen
• Bane
• Bani Saab (Mazra'at Bani Sa'ab)
• Bazoun
• Barhalyoun
• Beit Minzer
• Beqa'a Kefra (Saint Charbel Village)
• Bolla
• Blaouza
• Bqarqacha
• Brisat
• Bsharri
• Dimane
• El-Arz
• Hadath El Jebbeh
• Hadchit
• Hasroun
• Kadisha Valley
• Kanate
• Kanyour
• Mazraat Assaf
• Metrit
• Qnat
• Shira
• Tourza
• Wadi Qannoubine

(incomplete)

See also

• Districts of Lebanon

References

{{REPUBLIC OF LEBANON LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS OF MAY – JUNE 2005}}