Zweitina
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zweitina[1] (Arabic: زُويتينة transliteration: Zūweytīnah) is a small town located in Western Syria close to the Lebanese borders and administratively belonging to the Governorate of Homs. Its location in the midst of a coniferous mountain makes it a popular and favored summer destination. Its altitude ranges between 625 and 755 meters. Zweitina is perhaps most famous for its Al-Fawwar spring, which is named so because it flows sporadically. Zweitina is home to the historic Saint George's Monastery, one of the oldest in Syria. It is also very close to the Crac des Chevaliers, or Qal`at al-Ḥiṣn.
[edit] Etymology
The name Zweitina is derived from the word zeitoun which is Arabic for olive. Zweitina is Arabic for a single olive fruit. Olive trees dominate the forests of Zweitina and are considered the most important crops in the village which produces large amounts of olive product, thus justifying the name.
Others argue that the name was derived from the Aramaic language and means "the land where silkworms grow" and refers to the silkworms which live and grow on berry trees found in the town's forests.[1]
[edit] Demographics & people
Due to changing weather conditions, Zweitina has a changing population, reaching approximately 5,000 inhabitants in summer. It is a village where Christianity dominates. Almost 75% of the original population live outside the village. Pennsylvania, USA, which has the highest number of immigrants from the village, is home to approximately 500 families.[2] Zweitina is also very close to the neighboring town of Marmarita, another Christian village.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Information (Arabic). Marmarita. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
- ^ Immigrants in USA (Arabic). Marmarita. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
