Bsharri District

{{Infobox settlement |name =Bsharri District |settlement_type =District  |official_name =  |nickname = |motto =  |image_skyline = View of Kadisha Valley, Lebanon.jpg |imagesize = |image_caption = Kadisha valley, Bsharri District |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = Lebanon districts Bsharri.png |mapsize = 250px |map_caption = Location in Lebanon |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map =  |pushpin_label_position =bottom |pushpin_mapsize =300 |pushpin_map_caption =Location in Lebanon  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{Flag|Lebanon}} |subdivision_type1 = [[Governorates of Lebanon|Governorate]] |subdivision_name1 = [[North Governorate]] |subdivision_type2 =Capital |subdivision_name2 = [[Bsharri]] |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 =  |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |leader_title1 =  |leader_name1 = |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title =  |established_date = |established_title2 =  |established_date2 = |established_title3 =  |established_date3 =  |area_magnitude = |unit_pref =Imperial  |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = 156 |area_land_km2 =  |area_water_km2 = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |area_blank1_title = |area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_sq_mi =  |population_as_of = |population_footnotes = |population_note = | population_est = 28,231 | pop_est_as_of = 31 December 2017 |population_total = |population_density_km2 = |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = Ethnicities |population_blank1 = |population_blank2 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi =  |timezone = [[Eastern European Time|EET]] |utc_offset = +2 |timezone_DST = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]] |utc_offset_DST = +3 |coordinates = |elevation_footnotes =  |elevation_m = |elevation_ft =  |postal_code_type =  |postal_code = |area_code = |blank_name = |blank_info = |blank1_name = |blank1_info = |website = |footnotes = }}

'''Bsharri District''' (often spelled '''Bsharre''', '''Bcharre''' or '''Bcharreh''') is one of the seven [[district]]s (''[[qadaa]],'' {{Lang|ar|قضاء}}) of the [[North Governorate, Lebanon|North Governorate]], [[Lebanon]].

==Overview and geography== Surrounded by mountains, the Bsharri District sits on cliffs. The district is bordered by the [[Zgharta District|Zgharta]] and [[Miniyeh-Danniyeh District|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. [[Image:Bsharridistrictmountains.jpg|thumb|left]] This district is a cluster of 26 villages. most of them are 1,000 meters above sea level and higher. Within the district is one of the most important landmarks to [[Eastern Christianity]] and [[Maronite]] history - [[Qannoubine|Qannubin Monastery]]. The major part of the [[Kadisha Valley]], known as [[Qannoubine Valley]] is where [[Hermits]] have resided since around the year 600 CE, the last being [[Father Antonios Tarabay]] ([[:fr:Antonios Tarabay|fr]]), whose file at the [[Roman Curia|Vatican]] is progressing toward beatification. He lived most of his life in the ancient Monastery of [[Elisha|Saint Elisha]] located in a [[grotto]] deep in the Qannoubine Valley. In this valley, there are more than 26 monasteries all more than 1,000 years old. The top part of the valley is the location of 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 (Lebanon)|Ministry of Social Affairs]].<ref>[http://www.moe.gov.lb/NR/rdonlyres/2B3E4CAE-BD18-4106-A6B3-F42DDD72AAC9/0/Chap1Population.pdf Lebanese Ministry of Environment: "Lebanon State of the Environment Report", Chapter 1, page 13, 2001.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325132553/http://www.moe.gov.lb/NR/rdonlyres/2B3E4CAE-BD18-4106-A6B3-F42DDD72AAC9/0/Chap1Population.pdf |date=2009-03-25 }}</ref> The capital of the district is [[Bsharri]].

== Religion and history == The Bsharri district is populated by more than 94% [[Maronite Christianity in Lebanon|Maronite Christian]]. Having some 37 churches, Bsharri is sometimes called the "City of Churches."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Small-Group Tour with Lunch to Qadisha Valley, Bcharre and Cedars of God {{!}} Marriott|url=https://activities.marriott.com/things-to-do/V28Hi3701n0np7E-small-group-tour-with-lunch-to-qadisha-valley-bcharre-and-cedars-of-god|access-date=2021-03-23|website=activities.marriott.com}}</ref> Five saints recognized by the [[Catholic Church]] hailed from Lebanon. The most prominent is [[Saint Charbel]] from [[Bekaa Kafra]], the town with the highest elevation in the district.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bekaa Kafra, the highest village in Lebanon – LebanonUntravelled.com|url=https://lebanonuntravelled.com/bekaa-kafra-the-highest-village-in-lebanon/|access-date=2021-03-23|language=en-US}}</ref> Many people from Lebanon and other countries in the world greatly honor [[Charbel Makhlouf|Saint Charbel]], known for his miracles of healing for Christians, Muslims, and those from all religious backgrounds who visit his hometown, seeking his intercession.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brockhaus|first=Hannah|title=The Lebanese saint who unites Christians and Muslims|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/40266/the-lebanese-saint-who-unites-christians-and-muslims|access-date=2021-03-22|website=Catholic News Agency|language=en}}</ref>

Bsharri has deep religious roots for Christianity, as Maronites used the caves within the cliffs to hide and escape religious persecution. These caves could not be reached by horses or heavily armed soldiers. The area survived several invasions including the [[Mamluk]] Sultanate invasion that was known for its brutality. This Maronite stronghold became a refuge for persecuted Christians in the area, due to its geographic characteristics with protective mountains for all the towns around the valley. During winter, the snow covers the mountains, and this further isolates the area as it becomes accessible only from two entrances at the beginning of Kadisha valley, which translates to the "Holy Valley."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wadi Kadisha, North Governorate|url=http://www.cometolebanon.com/north-governorate/wadikadisha|access-date=2021-03-23|website=Come To Lebanon}}</ref> This location played a crucial and historical role through the years for the persecuted Maronites who fled to Bsharri.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Chaaya|first=Anis|date=2016|title=The Qadisha Valley, Lebanon|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5325/jeasmedarcherstu.4.2-3.0121|journal=Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology & Heritage Studies|volume=4|issue=2–3|pages=121–147|doi=10.5325/jeasmedarcherstu.4.2-3.0121|jstor=10.5325/jeasmedarcherstu.4.2-3.0121 |issn=2166-3548|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Traboulsi|first=Fawwaz|title=The Emirate of Mount Lebanon (1523–1842)|date=2012|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt183p4f5.7|work=A History of Modern Lebanon|pages=3–23|publisher=Pluto Press|doi=10.2307/j.ctt183p4f5.7 |jstor=j.ctt183p4f5.7 |isbn=978-0-7453-3274-1|access-date=2021-03-23|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

== Cedars of Lebanon == [[File:Cedars pictures.jpg|alt=This image depicts the cedar trees of the Cedars of Lebanon and the winding paths for visitors to walk around.|thumb|The Cedars of Lebanon]]

The Cedars of Lebanon are also known as the Cedars of God, and are mentioned 103<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab)|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/850/|access-date=2021-03-22|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en}}</ref> times in the [[Bible]]. Historically, the timber of these trees was exploited by numerous empires that crossed Lebanon, including the [[Phoenicia|Phoenicians]], [[Assyrian people|Assyrians]], [[Egyptians]], [[Turkish people|Turks]], [[Roman people|Romans]], [[Arabs]], [[Israelites]], [[Persians]], and [[Babylonia|Babylonians]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Cedars|url=http://www.middleeast.com/thecedars.htm|access-date=2021-03-22|website=www.middleeast.com}}</ref> The trees were used by [[Solomon|King Solomon]] to build the Temple in [[Jerusalem]] and by the Phoenicians to build merchant ships; the resin was used by the Egyptians for [[Mummy|mummification]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tourism @ Lebanon.com|url=http://www.lebanon.com/tourism/cedars.htm|access-date=2021-03-23|website=www.lebanon.com}}</ref> The cedars forest used to grow and thrive across [[Mount Lebanon]] but today they are endangered as only 375 trees remain.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Small-Group Tour with Lunch to Qadisha Valley, Bcharre and Cedars of God {{!}} Marriott|url=https://activities.marriott.com/things-to-do/V28Hi3701n0np7E-small-group-tour-with-lunch-to-qadisha-valley-bcharre-and-cedars-of-god|access-date=2021-03-23|website=activities.marriott.com}}</ref> The cedar tree on the Lebanese flag represents a national symbol, as Lebanon is referred to as the Land of the Cedars<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-21|title=In the Land of Cedars|url=https://www.globalministries.org/in_the_land_of_cedars/|access-date=2021-03-23|website=Global Ministries|language=en-US}}</ref> and symbolizes eternity, prosperity, and steadiness.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-06|title=The rich cultural and biblical symbolism of the Lebanese cedar tree|url=https://aleteia.org/2020/08/06/the-rich-cultural-and-biblical-symbolism-of-the-lebanese-cedar-tree/|access-date=2021-03-23|website=Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture|language=en}}</ref>

== Notable people == [[Charbel Makhlouf]], Maronite monk and priest known as the Miracle Monk of Lebanon, was born in [[Bekaa Kafra]].

[[Khalil Gibran]], a writer, painter, sculptor, and philosopher, was born and raised in [[Bsharri]] prior to immigrating to the [[United States]].

[[Anthony Peter Arida]], bishop of the [[Maronite Catholic Archeparchy of Tripoli]] and 73rd [[List of Maronite patriarchs of Antioch|Maronite Patriarch of Antioch]], was born in [[Bqarqacha]].

==Towns and villages== {| class="wikitable" |+ |[[Aabdine]] |[[Beit Minzer]] |[[Bsharri]] |[[Hadshit|Hadchit]] |[[Qnaywer]] |- |[[Bane, Lebanon|Bane]] |[[Bekaa kafra|Bekaa Kafra]] |[[Braissat|Brisat]] |[[Hasroun]] |[[Qnat]] |- |[[Mazraat Bani Saab|Bani Saab]] |[[Billa, Lebanon|Billa]] |[[Dimane]] |[[Tourza]] | |- |[[Bazoun]] |[[Blaouza]] |[[Cedars of God|El-Arz]] |[[Mazraat Assaf]] | |- |[[Barhalyoun]] |[[Bqarqacha]] |[[Hadath El Jebbeh]] |Moghr El Ahwal | |}

==Demographics==

According to registered voters in 2014:

{| class="wikitable" |- !rowspan="2"| Year !colspan="5"| [[Christianity in Lebanon|Christians]] !colspan="4"| [[Islam in Lebanon|Muslims]] !colspan="1"| [[Druze in Lebanon|Druze]] |- ! Total ! [[Maronite Church|Maronites]] ! [[Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch|Greek Orthodox]] ! [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church|Greek Catholics]] ! [[Christianity|Other Christians]] ! Total ! [[Sunni Islam|Sunnis]] ! [[Shia Islam|Shias]] ! [[Alawites]] ! [[Druze]] |- |2014<ref>https://lub-anan.com/المحافظات/الشمال/بشري/المذاهب/</ref> | {{percentage bar|width=70|99.36}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|94.77}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|2.72}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|1.12}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.75}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.26}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.20}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.05}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.01}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.00}} |- |2018<ref>{{Cite web |title= Critical study in proportional election law |url= https://archive.lebanonfiles.com/news/1301866/?mobile=no |year=2018 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-06-15 |website=Lebanonfiles.com (in Arabic) |language=english}}</ref> | {{percentage bar|width=70|99.72}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|94.64}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|2.81}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|1.13}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|1.14}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.28}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.22}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.05}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.01}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.00}} |- |2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mapping Lebanon: Data and statistics |url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1297803/data-and-statistics.html |year=2022 |url-status=live|access-date=2022-10-05 |website=today.lorientlejour.com (in English) |language=english}}</ref> | {{percentage bar|width=70|99.84}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|94.89}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|2.93}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|1.16}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.86}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.16}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.15}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.01}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.00}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.00}} |- |2026<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statify Lebanon|url= https://www.instagram.com/p/DUksfDEjIQX/?igsh=cDdtc2pudmo0YWN0 |year=2022 |url-status=live|access-date=2022-10-05 |website=statisticslebanon.lb (in English) |language=english}}</ref> | {{percentage bar|width=70|100}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|99.36}} | {{N/a}} | {{N/a}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.64}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.00}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.00}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.00}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.00}} | {{percentage bar|width=70|0.00}} |}

Number of registered voters (21+ years old) over the years. {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ !Years !Men !Women !Total !Growth (%) |- |2009 |23,173 |23,236 |46,409 |{{N/a}} |- |2010 |23,355 {{increase}} |23,352 {{increase}} |46,707 {{increase}} | +0.64% {{increase}} |- |2011 |22,956 {{decrease}} |23,238 {{decrease}} |46,194 {{decrease}} | -1.11% {{decrease}} |- |2012 |23,213 {{increase}} |23,478 {{increase}} |46,691 {{increase}} | +1.06% {{increase}} |- |2013 |23,662 {{increase}} |23,846 {{increase}} |47,508 {{increase}} | '''+1.72%''' {{increase}} |- |2014 |23,893 {{increase}} |24,067 {{increase}} |47,960 {{increase}} | +0.94% {{decrease}} |- |2015 |24,129 {{increase}} |24,298 {{increase}} |48,427 {{increase}} | +0.96% {{increase}} |- |2016 |24,263 {{increase}} |24,537 {{increase}} |48,800 {{increase}} | +0.76% {{decrease}} |- |2017 |24,400 {{increase}} |24,684 {{increase}} |49,084 {{increase}} | +0.58% {{decrease}} |- |2018 |24,708 {{increase}} |24,897 {{increase}} |49,605 {{increase}} | +1.05% {{increase}} |- |2019 |25,018 {{increase}} |25,129 {{increase}} |50,147 {{increase}} | +1.08% {{increase}} |- |2020 |25,182 {{increase}} |25,302 {{increase}} |50,484 {{increase}} | +0.67% {{decrease}} |- |2021 |25,295 {{increase}} |25,382 {{increase}} |50,677 {{increase}} | +0.38% {{decrease}} |- |2022 |25,409 {{increase}} |25,485 {{increase}} |50,894 {{increase}} | +0.43% {{increase}} |- |2023 |25,462 {{increase}} |25,489 {{increase}} |50,951 {{increase}} | +0.11% {{decrease}} |- |2024 |25,559 {{increase}} |25,627 {{increase}} |51,186 {{increase}} | +0.46% {{increase}} |- |2025 |25,653 {{increase}} |25,668 {{increase}} |51,321 {{increase}} | +0.26% {{decrease}} |- |2026 | {{N/a}} | {{N/a}} |51,487 {{increase}} | +0.32% {{increase}} |- | colspan="5" |Source: DGCS [https://www.dgcs.gov.lb/arabic/statistics-map?l=en&y=2025] |}

==See also== * [[Hadath el Jebbeh#Jebbeh]] for the meaning of Jebbeh, Jebbet

==References== {{reflist}}

{{coord|34.251062|N|36.010973|E|type:adm2nd_source:itwiki|display=title}}

[[Category:Bsharri District| ]] [[Category:Districts of Lebanon]] [[Category:North Governorate]]