Geography of the village of Ain Zhalta

Name

Arabic spellingعين زحلتا
Karshuni spelling3ayn Z7alta
Western spellingAin Zhalta, Aïn Zhalta, Ayn Zahlta, Ain Zahalta, Ein Zhalta, etc.
Transliteration‘ayn zḥaltā
Pronounciationʕyn zɦaltʔ

The name Ain Zahalta is most likely of Phoenician origin and means the eye of the god Zohel. According to Phoenician mythology, the Greek god Zohal (Zohel in Phoenician, Saturn in Roman, and Kronos in Greek Mythology) lost his duel with the Phoenician god Tamiras (Damur) at the source of the river Nabaa al Safa (نبع ألصفا). The river springs from Ain Zhalta and is also known as the Damur River.

Nabaa al Safa, which means pure spring, supplies drinking water to the southwestern towns and villages of Mount Lebanon. The Emir Bashir II tapped this source to supply the Palace of Beiteddine.

Others place the Ain Zhalta name in the Syriac language where it means the spring or well that moves.

Note that the official name of the village is Ain Zhalta - Nabaa al Safa, keeping in mind that there is no consencus on the spelling of Lebanese words in the Latin alphabet, even at official levels. So don't be surprised to find a word spelled in many different ways. For instance, Nabaa al Safa is also spelled Nabeh Al Safah, Nabeh Safa and Nabaa es Safa.

Ain Zhalta's location relative to Beirut
Ain Zhalta's location relative to Beirut

Location

Ain Zhalta is situated east of Beirut in the Chouf district of the Mount Lebanon governorate, at the foot of one of the largest cedar groves in Lebanon.

Nabaa al Safa is located 1.3km north of Ain Zhalta.

Ain Zhalta's location relative to Beirut
Ain Zhalta's directions from Beirut

Directions

Ain Zhalta can be reached from Beirut through the Beirut-Damascus road (40 Km) or from the city of Damour through the historical villages of Deir el Qamar and Beiteddine (56 Km).

Beqaa valley view from AZ
Beqaa valley view from AZ

Coverage

The Ain Zhalta area extends from the western slopes of the Ain Zhalta mountain in the Mount Lebanon governorate to the eastern mountain border of the Beqaa valley governorate.

Ain Zhalta in the summer
Ain Zhalta in the summer
Source: Mike Karam
Ain Zhalta in the winter
Ain Zhalta in the winter

Weather

Ain Zhalta is perched at 1,200 meters near the mediterranean coast. Consequently, it enjoys hot dry summers during which its population swells by 25% to accommodate seasonal residents escaping the humidity of coastal cities such as Beirut. During the winter, the weather is both humid and cold with occasional snow. "Good" weather runs from April to October. The four season are fairly typical with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 25°C.

Lebanon is a tiny country (10,452km²) roughly the size of San Diego county, CA, USA. There are no deserts in Lebanon. The country consists of a coastal strip, and a fertile valley separating two mountain ranges peaking at 3,083 meters over the rest of the eastern Mediterranean shore. This makes it possible to swim in the sea and ski in the mountains on a same day. This also enables Beirut residents to spend the summer in mountain villages without disrupting their work in the capital.

Ain Zhalta cedar forest
Ain Zhalta cedar forest
Source: monthlymagazine.com

Cedar Forest

The cedar forest of Ain Zhalta is a part of Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve, which covers approximately 50,000 hectare, or 5% of the country, and is home to about 2 million cedar trees.

In July 2005, UNESCO declared the Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve a Biosphere Reserve called the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (SBR).

Ain Zhalta pine forest
Ain Zhalta pine forest
Source: Joanna Hamed

Pine Forest

Ain Zhalta is blessed with an abundance of pine trees. The Stone (Umbrella) pine forest sill the hills surrounding the village. Pine nuts is a substantial cash crop for the village. The much sought after pine nuts from that area are sold at top price.

Rich in vitamin D, pine nuts from the Lebanese mountains are well known for their high concentration of monounsaturated fat which promotes a healthier cardiovascular system.

Ain Zhalta grape vine
Ain Zhalta grape vine

Fruit Trees

Ain Zhalta farmers grow apples, peaches, olives, figs, quince, grapes, apricots, almonds, pomegranates, persimmons.

Local Areas

  1. Ain-el-jdeideh
  2. Al-mantara
  3. Al-watyat
  4. Boussayel
  5. Ftah Kamar
  6. El-Bouayder
  7. El-Ghabee
  8. El-Ibhool
  9. El Na'ssa
  10. El-Sekee
  11. El Shawaya
  12. El-She'yer
  13. Il Kroom
  14. Kafra
  15. Kbour el Yahhood
  16. Ma'bour Salman
  17. Massar Znazeel
  18. Shahl
  19. Tameras
  20. Tantoor

Distances

CityKilometersMiles
Beirut3924
Jerusalem212131
Johannesburg1112691
London34892168
Los Angeles120037458
Mecca1408875
Miami105546558
Moscow24601528
New York90485622
Paris35492205
Sao Paulo78984907
Seattle107146657
Sydney99286169
Tokyo89845582
Washington93825829
Baghdad808502
Phoenician ship
Phoenician ship

Phoenicians inhabited Lebanon and Syria between 1500 and 300 BC. Phoenician sailors were the master sea-traders of the ancient Mediterranean, and built the most advanced naval vessels of their time. The travelling tradition never stopped as many Lebanese continue to emigrate and spread around the world. For instance, there are around 5 million Lebanese in Lebanon, and 7 million in Brazil! Many Lebanese reside in North America, Western Europe and Western Africa as well.