# Chouf District

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District in Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon

Chouf District جبل الشوف District Chouf Mountains Location in Lebanon Coordinates: 33°41′44″N 35°34′49″E / 33.69556°N 35.58028°E / 33.69556; 35.58028 Country Lebanon Governorate Mount Lebanon Governorate Capital Beiteddine Area • Land 191 sq mi (495 km2) Population • Estimate (31 December 2017) 231,427 Time zone UTC+2 (EET) • Summer (DST) UTC+3 (EEST)

**Chouf** (also spelled **Shouf**, **Shuf** or **Chuf**; [Arabic](/source/Arabic_language): جبل الشوف, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Arabic): *Jabal ash-Shūf*) is a historic region of [Lebanon](/source/Lebanon), as well as an administrative [district](/source/Districts_of_Lebanon) in the [governorate](/source/Governorates_of_Lebanon) ([muhafazat](/source/Muhafazah)) of [Mount Lebanon](/source/Mount_Lebanon_Governorate).

## Geography

Located south-east of [Beirut](/source/Beirut), the region comprises a narrow coastal strip notable for the Christian town of [Damour](/source/Damour), and the valleys and mountains of the western slopes of Jabal [Barouk](/source/Barouk), the name of the local Mount Lebanon massif, on which the largest [forest](/source/Forest) of [Cedars of Lebanon](/source/Lebanon_Cedar) is found. The mountains are high enough to receive [snow](/source/Snow).

## History

See also: [History of the Chouf region](/source/History_of_the_Chouf_region)

Remains of a palace in [Baadarâne](/source/Baadar%C3%A2ne), Chouf, Lebanon

[Prophet Job](/source/Job_(Bible)) shrine in [Niha village](/source/Niha%2C_Chouf), Chouf, Lebanon[1]

[Christian Church](/source/Christian_Church) and [Druze](/source/Druze) shrine in Maaser el Chouf: Historically, the [Druze](/source/Druze) and the [Christians](/source/Christians) in the Shuf Mountains have lived in complete harmony.[2]

The [Emirs](/source/Emir) of [Mount Lebanon](/source/Mount_Lebanon) resided in Chouf, most notably [Druze](/source/Druze) Emir [Fakhr al-Din II](/source/Fakhr_al-Din_II), who attained considerable power and autonomy from the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century. He is often referred to as the founder of modern Lebanon although his area of influence and control included parts of Palestine and Syria. Another emir is [Bachir Chehab II](/source/Bachir_Chehab_II), who built the palace of [Beiteddine](/source/Beiteddine) during the first half of the 19th century. [Deir al Qamar](/source/Deir_al_Qamar) (the monastery of the Moon) is also in the Chouf region.

The relationship between the [Druze](/source/Druze) and [Christians](/source/Christians) in Chouf was characterized by peaceful [coexistence](/source/Plurinationalism).[2] In the early eighteenth century, the communities lived side by side in relative harmony.[3]

However, in 1848, 1860, and again in 1983-1984, during the [Lebanese Civil War](/source/Lebanese_Civil_War) ([Mountain War](/source/Mountain_War_(Lebanon)), [Arabic](/source/Arabic): *Harb el-Jabal*), fighting broke out between the Christian and [Druze](/source/Druze) communities in the Chouf.

At the end of January 1989, [Druze](/source/Lebanese_Druze) leader [Walid Jumblatt](/source/Walid_Jumblatt), who lived at the Jumblatt palace in the town of [Moukhtara](/source/Moukhtara), came up with a plan to help Christians return to their homes after an estimated 300,000 had fled during the fighting. The initiative was supported by [Dany Chamoun](/source/Dany_Chamoun). In March the plan was shelved following General [Michel Aoun](/source/Michel_Aoun)’s blockade of the Druze port at [Jieh](/source/Jieh), his shelling of [Souq El Gharb](/source/Souq_El_Gharb) and the assassination of one of Jumblatt’s top aides.[4][5] Reconciliation between the Druze and Christian communities was achieved on August 8, 2001, when the [Maronite Patriarch of Antioch](/source/Maronite_Patriarchs), [Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir](/source/Cardinal_Mar_Nasrallah_Boutros_Sfeir) made a historic visit to the Chouf and met with Jumblatt.

In 1989, Israel carried out air-strikes on the Chouf a few yards from a school. Two militants were killed and several schoolchildren were wounded in the attack.[6]

## Demographics

According to voter registration in 2014:

Year Christians Muslims Druze Total Maronites Greek Catholics Greek Orthodox Other Christians Total Sunnis Shias Druze 2014[7] 36.69% 27.58% 6.47% 1.58% 1.06% 31.53% 28.59% 2.94% 31.26% 2018[8] 36.72% 27.22% 6.34% 1.59% 1.57% 32.13% 29.14% 2.99% 31.14% 2022[9] 37.67% 28.13% 6.67% 2.05% 0.82% 31.74% 28.86% 2.88% 30.59% 2026[10] 34.96% 28.06% 6.14% 0.37% 0.39% 33.36% 31.12% 2.24% 31.68%

Number of registered voters (21+ years old) over the years.

Years Women Men Total Growth (%) 2009 94,110 87,839 181,949 —N/a 2010 94,481 88,610 183,091 +0.62% 2011 94,622 89,379 184,001 +0.49% 2012 95,315 90,324 185,639 +0.88% 2013 97,239 91,900 189,139 +1.85% 2014 98,423 93,378 191,801 +1.39% 2015 99,616 94,604 194,220 +1.25% 2016 100,701 96,191 196,892 +1.36% 2017 102,076 97,489 199,565 +1.34% 2018 103,649 98,839 202,488 +1.44% 2019 105,002 99,993 204,995 +1.22% 2020 106,383 101,181 207,564 +1.24% 2021 107,530 102,117 209,647 +0.99% 2022 109,006 103,506 212,512 +1.35% 2023 109,951 104,125 214,076 +0.73% 2024 110,944 105,141 216,085 +0.93% 2025 111,950 106,154 218,104 +0.93% 2026 —N/a —N/a 220,478 +1.08% Source: DGCS [1]

## See also

- [Iqlim al-Kharrub](/source/Iqlim_al-Kharrub), historical region located in the Chouf District

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Panagakos, Anastasia (2015). *Religious Diversity Today: Experiencing Religion in the Contemporary World [3 volumes]: Experiencing Religion in the Contemporary World*. ABC-CLIO. p. 99. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781440833328](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781440833328).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hazran_2013_32_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hazran_2013_32_2-1) Hazran, Yusri (2013). *The Druze Community and the Lebanese State: Between Confrontation and Reconciliation*. Routledge. p. 32. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781317931737](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781317931737). the Druze had been able to live in harmony with the Christian

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Deeb, Marius (2013). *Syria, Iran, and Hezbollah: The Unholy Alliance and Its War on Lebanon*. Hoover Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780817916664](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780817916664). the Maronites and the Druze, who founded Lebanon in the early eighteenth century.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Middle East International](/source/Middle_East_International) No 343, 3 February 1989, Publishers [Lord Mayhew](/source/Christopher_Mayhew), [Dennis Walters MP](/source/Dennis_Walters); [Jim Muir](/source/Jim_Muir) pp.3,4

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Middle East International No 346, 17 March 1989, Publishers [Lord Mayhew](/source/Christopher_Mayhew), [Dennis Walters MP](/source/Dennis_Walters); [Jim Muir](/source/Jim_Muir) pp.6,7

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [jets hit Beirut schoolyard](https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=DS19890301.2.16&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------Israeli)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["التوزيع حسب المذاهب للناخبين/ناخبات في قضاء الشوف، محافظة جبل لبنان في لبنان"](https://lub-anan.com/المحافظات/جبل-لبنان/الشوف/المذاهب/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Critical study in proportional election law"](https://archive.lebanonfiles.com/news/1301866/?mobile=no). *Lebanonfiles.com (in Arabic)*. 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-15.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: url-status ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_url-status))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Mapping Lebanon: Data and statistics"](https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1297803/data-and-statistics.html). *today.lorientlejour.com (in English)*. 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-05.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: url-status ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_url-status))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Statify Lebanon"](https://www.instagram.com/p/DUksfDEjIQX/?igsh=cDdtc2pudmo0YWN0). *statisticslebanon.lb (in English)*. 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-05.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: url-status ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_url-status))

v t e Districts of Lebanon Akkar Governorate Akkar Baalbek-Hermel Governorate Baalbek Hermel Beirut Governorate Beirut Beqaa Governorate Rashaya Western Beqaa Zahlé Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate Byblos (Jbeil) Keserwan Mount Lebanon Governorate Aley Baabda Chouf Matn Nabatieh Governorate Bint Jbeil Hasbaya Marjayoun Nabatieh North Governorate Batroun Bsharri Koura Miniyeh-Danniyeh Tripoli Zgharta South Governorate Jezzine Sidon Tyre

v t e Chouf District, Mount Lebanon Governorate Capital: Beitedine Towns and villages Ain Qani Ain W Zain Ain Zhalta Ainbal Ammatour Ammik Anout Atrine Baadarâne Baakline Baasir Bakaata Barja Barouk Bater Batloun Bchetfine Beitedine Benwayte Beykoun El Bireh Bourjein et Marjiyat Boutmeh Brih Bsaba Chehim Dahr El Maghara Dalhoun Damour Daraya Deir Dourit Deir el Qamar Deir Kouche Dibbiyeh Dmit El Foûâra Haret Jandal Hasrout Gharifeh Jadra Jahlieh Jbeih Jdaideh Jieh Joun Kahlouniyeh Ketermaya Kfarfakoud Kfarhim Kfarkatra Kfar Nabrakh Kfarniss Khraybeh Knayse Maasser Maaser Beiteddine Majdel Meouch Mazboud Mazraat el-Chouf Mazraat el Daher Mechref Mghayrie Moukhtara Mristeh Mtolleh Na'ameh Niha Rmeileh Sebline Serjbel Shheem Symkanieh Wadi Sit Wadi Bnahleh Warhanieh Werdanieh Zaarourieh Notable landmarks Beiteddine Palace Fakhredine Palace Deir el Qamar Synagogue Fakhredine Mosque Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chouf District](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chouf_District) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chouf_District?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.