Zahlé | |
Settlement Type: | District |
Official Name: | قضاء زحلة |
Mapsize: | 250px |
Pushpin Label Position: | bottom |
Pushpin Mapsize: | 300 |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Lebanon |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name1: | Beqaa |
Subdivision Type2: | Capital |
Subdivision Name2: | Zahlé |
Unit Pref: | Imperial |
Area Total Km2: | 425 |
Population Est: | 336,382 |
Pop Est As Of: | 31 December 2017 |
Population Blank1 Title: | Ethnicities= Lebanese |
Population Blank2 Title: | Religions= Almost entirely Christian |
Population Density Blank1 Km2: | 1,176 (km) |
Population Density Blank1 Sq Mi: | 3,046 (km) |
Utc Offset: | +2 |
Utc Offset Dst: | +3 |
Zahlé District (Arabic: قضاء زحلة|links=no) 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.