Chouf district
The Chouf district ( Arabic قضاء الشوف Qaḍāʾ aš-Šūf ) is an administrative district ( Qaḍāʾ ) in the Lebanese Governorate of Mount Lebanon . The district also forms the heart of the Chouf , a mountain region. The main town of the district is Beit ed-Din .
geography
The district is located southeast of the capital Beirut . It borders on the Aley district to the north, West Bekaa to the east, and Jezzine and Sidon to the south . In the west it meets the Levant Sea with the city of Damur . It is home to the Biosphere Reserve Al Chouf Cedar Nature Reserve .
Important rivers are the Damour and Awali rivers . The Ammiq Wetland is an important resting place for migratory birds.
Religious Composition
The Chouf is the heartland of the Lebanese Druze . The Druze leader Walid Jumblat has his seat in Moukhtara . The emirs of Lebanon also had their residence in the Chouf. The most famous is the Beit ed-Din palace of Bashir Shihab II from the first half of the 19th century. Another historic town near Beit ed-Din is Deir el-Qamar .
Despite major conflicts between the various religious-ethnic groups, the Chouf district is one of the most religiously diverse in Lebanon. The main religious groups are Druze , Maronites and Shiites . There is also a significant Melkite community .
Proportions of religious groups in the population
| Denomination | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Christians | 30% |
| Syrian-Maronite Church of Antioch | 26th |
| Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch | 1 |
| Melkite Greek Catholic Church | 2 |
| Other Christian denominations | 1 |
| Muslims | 70% |
| Sunnis | 6th |
| Shiites | 2 |
| Druze | 62 |
| Alevis | 0 |
Cities and significant places
|
Attractions
- Damur
- Château Moussa
- Beit ed-Din
- Dair al-Qamar
- Baaklin
- Mazraa el chouf
- Bsaba Al Chouf
Web links
- Liban - Le Chouf
- Aménagement du territoire libanais CDR
- Homepage of the biosphere reserve
Coordinates: 33 ° 42 ' N , 35 ° 36' E