Geography

The Bsharri District is a mountainous district. Most of the 26 villages composing it are at an elevation higher than 1.000 meters. The district is bordered by the Zgharta and Minieh-Dinnieh Districts to the north, the Koura District to the west, the Baalbek District to the east and the Batroun District to the south.

This district is a grouping of 26 villages. It has also one of the important landmark of Eastern Christianity and Maronite history, the major part of the Kadisha Valley, the Qannoubin valley where Hermits have resided since around the year 600 C.E., the last being Father Antonios Torbey whose file in the Vatican is progressing toward beatification.

He lived most of his life in the ancient monastery of Saint Elisha located in a grotto deep in the Qannoubin Valley. In this valley there is more than 26 monasteries all more than 1000 years old. At the top of this valley, sits the legendary cedar forest.

Population

The population of the district was estimated to be 16,831 by the Ministry of Social Affairs.The capital of the district is Bsharri. The Ministry's estimate lacks credibility. According to the Daily Star, an English language Lebanese newspaper, a total of 20,000 people in the district voted in the 2005 elections.

In addition the Ministry of Social Affairs estimates that 39% of the Lebanese population was under 20 years of age which meant they were not eligible to vote and a 60% participation rate. Considering these factors the population may be more realistically estimated at 50,000 people.

The six main clans of the village Bsharri are: Sukkar, Taouk, Fakhri, Geagea, Rahme, Kairouz (Saade). Many other families stem into sub-branches from the main six. A reason for this is differentiation of emmigrants after the Second World War. Other small Families are: Shoubay'aa, Arida, Shidya' ...

The Bsharri district is predominantly Maronite Catholic, from here, 5 great priest were canonized and declared Saint, the most prominent is Saint Charbel from Beqa'a Kafra, well known all over the world for his many miracles.

From here also the philosopher Gibran Khalil Gibran started his early life before he emigrated to USA. The Abi Saab family has resided in the Bsharri District since the 14th century, they were "protectors" of the Maronite area, then governors of the area of Kouwaiteh and then the area of Jebbeh of Bsharri and Zghorta during the period of the Directorates.