Chekka
| Chekka شكا | |
|---|---|
| City | |
  Chekka | |
| Coordinates: 34°20′N 35°44′E / 34.333°N 35.733°ECoordinates: 34°20′N 35°44′E / 34.333°N 35.733°E | |
| Country |
 Lebanon |
| Governorate | North Governorate |
| District | Batroun District |
| Highest elevation | 200 m (700 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 22 m (72 ft) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Dialing code | +961 |
Chekka is coastal town located in the South of North Lebanon. It is located north of Râs ach-Chaq’a’ and Herri beaches, or Theoprosopon of classical times and south of the ancient Phoenician port of Enfeh and the city of Tripoli. The origin of the word is believed to be Canaanite from the word Chikitta. Chikitta was mentioned Amarna letters in Egypt as a coastal town situated in the geographical area of modern Chekka. Until now there are no Canaanite archeological findings in Chekka backing this hypothesis. Chekka's modern history is clear. The high land in Chekka now known as Chekka Al-Atika was resettled around 300 years ago and the fertile valley of Chekka was cultivated in the intention of making Chekka a Maronite stronghold on the Lebanese coast. Many families moved from Mount Lebanon to Chekka at that time.
Chekka is rich in freshwater submarine springs.[1] The American University of Beirut's Faculty of Engineering investigated the potential of sustainable exploitation of the Chekka Bay submarine springs in 2000.[1]
Chekka is renowned for Râs ach-Chaq’a’ a white and green mountain touching the Mediterranean sea and its public and private sand beaches.
Economy
Chekka is home to some of the largest cement and paper factories in the eastern Mediterranean.[2] Companies such as Holcim Liban, Cimenterie Nationale S.A.L and Société Libanaise des Ciments Blancs S.A.L.B, headquartered in Chekka.[3] The ancient process of extracting salt from the sea is still practiced in Chekka but without traditional wind powered water pumps.[4]
Chekka is also an agricultural city. It is known for producing the best figs in Lebanon. It is the headquarters of the second largest Lebanese poultry producer with a slaughterhouse, farms, hatcheries and feed mill plant located in it. It has large public and private sand beaches and a good view over the sea.
The Las Salinas and Florida Beach resorts provide a wide range of nautical and inland activities for which Chekka is best known. It offers a variety of activities for people of all ages. Kids can play several sports, including bowling, pool, table tennis. Amusement center, equipped with a cinema theatre and the latest video games. Chekka has a range of other hotels and resorts, including Florida Beach. With more than a 270 chalets, 100 Cabins and a Marina capable of receiving more than 70 boats, those beach resorts welcomes visitors from all around the country. Visitors from all around the Mediterranean are usually attracted to Chekka because of the several resorts and hotels and the amount of activities that they have to offer.
There are several sports teams that represent Chekka. The most renowned sports club is the Chekka soccer club, which holds a very impressive record. They have won the north district soccer championship in 2005-06, and have finished on the podium ever since. There are several other sports clubs in the region such as the Chekka ‘Saint famille’ Basketball club. Finally, Speed Ball volleyball club, one of Chekka's most ancient sports club, holds the highest rank compared to the remaining clubs in Chekka since it competes in the second division of the L.V.Federation.
Education and youth
Chekka is considered as the center for education for the neighboring regions. There are many public and private schools in Chekka most notably Sainte Famille Maronite" and "Les moines Libanais" private maronite schools. Universite Saint-Esprie de Kaslik has a branch in Chekka for law and business majors and is currently considering expanding to other fields. It is the home town for Groupe Saint Maron Chekka فوج مار مارون شكا a member of L'Association des Scouts du Liban and a vibrant member in the community.
Politics
Political parties in Chekka are diverse and well represented by its residents across all secs and religions. The Mayor is Mr. Farjallah Kfoury, a Greek Orthodox who was elected to a second term.
People and diaspora
Today Chekka has a Christian majority mostly Maronite and Greek Orthodox with few Sunni Muslims. It has many Maronite Christian, Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches.
Around 17,000 people are currently residing in Chekka many of which come originally from villages such as Tannourin, Zgharta and Bcharre. Chekka has a rich diaspora in USA, Australia, Canada, France and the Gulf.