Beqaa Governorate

Beqaa Governorate
مقاطعة البقاع

Map of Lebanon with Beqaa highlighted
Coordinates: 33°50′N 35°54′E / 33.833°N 35.900°E / 33.833; 35.900Coordinates: 33°50′N 35°54′E / 33.833°N 35.900°E / 33.833; 35.900
Country Lebanon
Capital Zahlé
Area
 • Total 4,429 km2 (1,710 sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)

Beqaa (Arabic: البقاع‎‎ Al-Biqā') is a governorate in Lebanon with a population of 750,000 inhabitants.

Geography

Beqaa Governorate lies in the Beqaa Valley between the Mount Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges and covers an area of 4,429 km². Beqaa Valley is the primary center of Lebanon's agriculture. The Litani River and Asi River run through the alley.

Climate and tourism

The temperature ranges from -10 °C to 35 °C throughout the year. Beqaa receives heavy rain and snow during the winter.

The villages of Zahlé, Machgara, Niha, Anjar, Qab Elias, Kfar Zabad, Karaon Dam, Chtaura, and Furzul are the area's main tourism destinations. Beqaa Governorate lies on an ancient route between Lebanon, Syria, and the rest of the Arab world. The governorate is known for its wine industry, summer festivals, and its cuisine.

Religion

The population is 60% Sunni, 30% Christian, 7% Shia and 3% Druze.

Districts

Since 2014, Beqaa Governorate contains three districts:

A law was passed in 2003 to separate Baalbek District and Hermel District from Beqaa Governorate to form a new governorate, Baalbek-Hermel Governorate.[1] Implementation of Baalbek-Hermel began in 2014 with the appointment of its first governor.[2]

Cities

References

  1. ↑ "Territorial administration of Lebanon". Localiban. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  2. ↑ "Cabinet Appoints 5 New Governors, Accepts Qaloush's Resignation". Naharnet. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
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