{{Short description|Village in Syria}} {{Infobox settlement <!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage--> <!-- Basic info ----------------> | official_name = Zweitina | native_name = {{lang|ar|زُويتينة}} <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English --> | other_name = | settlement_type = Village | image_skyline = Zweitina.JPG | imagesize = 250px | image_caption = View of Zweitina | image_flag = | image_seal = | image_shield = | nickname = | motto = <!-- images and maps -----------> | image_map = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Syria <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map --> | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_mapsize = 250 | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Syria <!-- Location ------------------> | coordinates = {{coord|34.76876|36.24883|region:SY-HI_type:city|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg}} Syria | subdivision_type1 = Governorate | subdivision_name1 = Homs | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Talkalakh | subdivision_type3 = Subdistrict | subdivision_name3 = Al-Nasirah | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = <!-- Politics -----------------> | established_title = <!-- Settled --> | established_date = <!-- Area ---------------------> | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | unit_pref = Metric <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired--> | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = <!-- ALL fields dealing with a measurements are subject to automatic unit conversion--> | area_land_km2 = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on automatic unit conversion--> | area_water_km2 = | area_water_percent = <!-- Population -----------------------> | elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use<ref> </ref> tags--> | elevation_m = 420 <!-- Area/postal codes & others --------> | population_footnotes = | population_total = 697 | population_as_of = | population_density_km2 = auto <!-- General information ---------------> | population_note = | timezone = EET | utc_offset = +3 | timezone_DST = EEST | utc_offset_DST = +2 | postal_code_type = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... --> | postal_code = | area_code = | website = | footnotes = }} '''Zweitina''' or '''Zuwaytinah''' ({{langx|ar|زُويتينة}} / ALA-LC: ''Zūwaytīnah'') is a small Greek Orthodox Christian village located in Western Syria close to the Lebanese borders and administratively belonging to the Homs Governorate. Its location in the midst of a coniferous mountain makes it a popular and favored summer destination. Its altitude ranges between 400 and 450 meters. It is situated in the area known as Wadi al-Nasara ('valley of the Christians'). Nearby localities include Marmarita to the north, al-Huwash to the east, al-Huwash to the east, al-Husn to the southeast, al-Zarah to the south, Naarah and Tell Hawsh to the southwest, al-Mitras to the west and al-Bariqiyah to the northwest.
The al-Fawwar spring ({{langx|ar|نبع الفوار}}), named so because it flows sporadically, lies within the village. The spring was called ''Sabte'' during the reign of the Roman emperor Titus in Syria.<ref>{{Cite book|title=TOPOGRAPHIE HISTORIQUE DE LA SYRIE ANTIQUE ET MÉDIÉVALE|author=René Dussaud}}</ref> The village is also very close to the Krac des Chevaliers, or Qal'at al-Ḥiṣn.<ref name= zweitina>{{cite web | url =http://www.dai3tna.com/nuke/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=7365 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110708220532/http://www.dai3tna.com/nuke/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=7365 | url-status =usurped | archive-date =July 8, 2011 | title =Information| access-date =2006-11-29 | publisher =Marmarita | language =ar }}</ref> According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CNS), Zweitina had a population of 697 in the 2004 census. Its inhabitants are predominantly Christians. The village has a Greek Orthodox Church and a Greek Catholic Church.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://95.85.10.16/media_b/kan/country/sy/1/sy04?nav_show= | title=الموسوعة المسيحية العربية الإلكترونية }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://95.85.10.16/media_b/kan/country/sy/5/sy04?nav_show= | title=الموسوعة المسيحية العربية الإلكترونية }}</ref>
==Etymology== The name Zweitina is derived from the word ''zeitoun'' which is Arabic for olive. ''Zweitina'' is Arabic for a single olive fruit. Olive trees dominate the forests of Zweitina and are considered the most important crops in the village which produces large amounts of olive product, thus justifying the name. Others argue that the name was derived from the Aramaic language and means "the land where silkworms grow" and refers to the silkworms which live and grow on berry trees found in the village's forests.<ref name= zweitina />
==Demographics== Zweitina has a fixed population during most of the year, but reaching approximately 5,000 inhabitants in summer. It is a village where Christianity dominates. Almost 75% of the original population live outside the village. The US state of Pennsylvania, is home to the largest diaspora of immigrants from the village, approximately 500 families.<ref name= penn>{{cite web | url =http://www.zwaitiny.com/ | title =Immigrants in USA | access-date =2006-11-29 | publisher =Marmarita | language =ar | archive-date =2007-05-19 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070519012355/http://www.zwaitiny.com/ | url-status =dead }}</ref> Zweitina is situated very close to the neighboring village of Marmarita, another Christian village.
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Homs Governorate|talkalakh}}
Category:Populated places in Talkalakh District Category:Eastern Orthodox Christian communities in Syria Category:Christian communities in Syria