Bsharri District


Bsharri District is one of the 7 districts of the North Governorate, Lebanon.

Geography

The Bsharri District is a mountainous district. The district is bordered by the Zgharta and Miniyeh-Danniyeh 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 and most are at an elevation higher than 1000 meters. It also contains one of the most important landmarks 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.E., the last being Father Antonios Tarabay whose file in the Vatican is progressing toward beatification. 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, the Cedars of God.

Population

The population of the district was estimated to be 76,831 by the Ministry of Social Affairs. The capital of the district is Bsharri. The Ministry's estimate lacks credibility. According to the Daily Star, an English language Lebanese newspaper, a total of 40,000 people in the district voted in the 2005 elections. In addition the Ministry of Social Affairs 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 100,000 people.
The Bsharri district is predominantly Maronite Christian. Five saints recognized by the Catholic Church hailed from this area. The most prominent is Saint Charbel from Bekaa Kafra. Writer Khalil Gibran was also originally from Bsharri, even though he spent most of his life in the United States of America.

Towns and villages