Ain Zhalta, Chouf, Lebanon

Ain Zhalta, Chouf, Lebanon — the Ain Zhalta cedar forest in late winter
Photo: Elie plus · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

elevation ~1038 m

Where is Ain Zhalta?

Ain Zhalta is in the Chouf District of Mount Lebanon, roughly 25 km from Beirut in a straight line. Its closest Chouf neighbours are Warhaniyeh (~3.1 km), Barouk (~4.1 km) and Brih (~4.8 km).

Map showing where Ain Zhalta sits among the towns of the Chouf, Mount Lebanon

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About Ain Zhalta

Ain Zhalta is a village in the Chouf District of Mount Lebanon Governorate in southwestern Lebanon. The majority of its inhabitants are Druze.

Name & origin

Freyha said the name Ain Zhalta is ancient Semitic, compounded to mean 'the sliding spring', referring to its eroding land. Modern researchers connect it instead to Phoenician mythology and the god 'Zuhal' (Saturn), citing a place called 'Ftah Qamar' where a Phoenician bronze statue was found, dated to the second millennium BC. The town also contains a large part of the Barouk cedar forest.

History

At the site of Ftah Qamar in Ain Zhalta, a Phoenician bronze statue dated to the second millennium BC was found. By Law No. 532 of 24 July 1996, the town's communal lands — which hold a large part of the Barouk cedar forest — were declared part of the Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve.

In figures

registered voters ~1,000 · area ~1,150 ha · ~39 km from Beirut

Families

أبو نادر، نادر، بدران، ثابت، الحدّاد، خاطر، الخوري (تادي)، رعد، زخور، زعر، زيدان، سعد، شاهين، شكّور، شلهوب، صوايا، صوما، ضومط، غانم، غريشي، فليحان، لحد، مرعي، مزهر، مشنتف، معوشي، مغبغب، مفرّج، نخلة، الهاشم، أبو حمزة، أبو صعب، أبو عيشي، أبو قلفوني، أبو المنى، حامد، حماد، حميدي، زهر الدين، زيعور، سليم، شرف الدين، عزام، العيّاش، العيد، كبول، كحلوني، كرامة، كمال الدين، منذر، يحيى

Notable people

Notable landmarks

Common questions

Where is Ain Zhalta located?

The town of Ain Zhalta is in the Chouf district of Mount Lebanon, Lebanon, about 39 km from Beirut, at around 1038 m elevation.

How far is Ain Zhalta from Beirut?

Ain Zhalta is about 39 km from Beirut.

What does the name Ain Zhalta mean?

Freyha said the name Ain Zhalta is ancient Semitic, compounded to mean 'the sliding spring', referring to its eroding land. Modern researchers connect it instead to Phoenician mythology and the god 'Zuhal' (Saturn), citing a place called 'Ftah Qamar' where a Phoenician bronze statue was found, dated to the second millennium BC. The town also contains a large part of the Barouk cedar forest.

Which families are from Ain Zhalta?

Families associated with Ain Zhalta include: أبو نادر, نادر, بدران, ثابت, الحدّاد, خاطر, الخوري (تادي), رعد, زخور, زعر, زيدان, سعد, شاهين, شكّور, شلهوب, صوايا, صوما, ضومط, غانم, غريشي, فليحان, لحد, مرعي, مزهر, مشنتف, معوشي, مغبغب, مفرّج, نخلة, الهاشم, أبو حمزة, أبو صعب, أبو عيشي, أبو قلفوني, أبو المنى, حامد, حماد, حميدي, زهر الدين, زيعور, سليم, شرف الدين, عزام, العيّاش, العيد, كبول, كحلوني, كرامة, كمال الدين, منذر, يحيى.

Who are some notable people from Ain Zhalta?

Notable people connected to Ain Zhalta include Inaam Tawfik Raad, Dr. Suleiman Khalil Saad, Dr. Issam Inaam Raad, Najib Pasha Shukour.

What are the main landmarks in Ain Zhalta?

Landmarks in Ain Zhalta include Ain Zhalta–Bmohray cedar forest, Khirbet Kafra, Ain Zhalta – Nabaa el-Safa Dispensary.

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