North Lebanon (Arabic: شمال لبنان, romanized: Shamal Lubnan) is the northern region of Lebanon comprising the North Governorate and Akkar Governorate. On 16 July 2003, the two entities were divided from the same province by former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The division was known as Law 522.[1]
North Lebanon شمال لبنان | |
|---|---|
 Map of Lebanon with North Lebanon highlighted | |
| Country | Lebanon |
| Region | North-Akkar |
| Incorporated | 1959 |
| Population | |
| • Total | 1,230,800 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
The main cities and towns of the region are Halba, Tripoli, Miniyeh, Zgharta, Bcharreh, Amioun and Batroun. The districts of Akkar, Tripoli and Miniyeh-Danniyeh are known for their large Sunni Muslim population[2] while the districts of Zgharta, Bcharreh, Koura and Batroun are known for their large Christian population.[3]
Education
One of the best schools in Lebanon, International School - Al Koura, is in North Lebanon.[4][5]
The University of Balamand (UOB) is in North Lebanon.[6] UOB was ranked second-best university in Lebanon according to QS University Rankings 2023.[7]
The most modern public Lebanese University campus is the North Campus.[8]
Tourism
The charming historical town of Batroun is best known for its beach clubs, nightlife and seafood restaurants, while the medieval labyrinthine city of Tripoli is rich in history and architecture from the Mamluk era. At the northernmost tip of Lebanon lies the green Akkar region, with the beautiful lake area of Oyoun es-Samak and the attractive mountain slopes of Jabal Qammouah.[9]
Hiking
Qurnat as Sawda
Qurnat as Sawda is the highest point in Lebanon and the Levant.[10]
Mseilha Walkway
The Mseilha Walkway (Darb Mseilha) is easily accessible from the Batroun highway, the entrance in next to the Mseilha Fort, a historic monument built by Fakhr al-Din II in the 17th century.[11]
Horsh Ehden
Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve is located about three kilometers northwest of the center of Ehden. Visitors coming enjoy hiking, climbing and biking.[12]
History
French occupation
Tripoli Massacre
On 13 November 1943, a tragic incident took place in Tripoli, resulting in the loss of lives of 14 students, all under the age of 15. The students were struck by French tanks driven by Senegalese soldiers while participating in a peaceful march through the streets. During the demonstration, the students were fervently advocating for an end to the occupation. The massacre contributed to accelerating the declaration of Lebanon’s independence.[13][14][15][16]
Background
One day before the massacre, the French occupation army arrested Abdul Hamid Karami and imprisoned him in the Rashaya Citadel.[17]
Governorate Creation
On 12 June 1959, North Lebanon Governorate was created which separated Koura, Zgharta, Bcharreh and Batroun from Mount Lebanon.[18]
Districts that formed North Lebanon:
1959-1993
| Districts |
|---|
| Akkar |
| Tripoli |
| Koura |
| Zgharta |
| Bcharreh |
| Batroun |
1993-2003
On 23 November 1993, Minyeh and Danniyeh were separated from Tripoli and established their own district in North Lebanon.[19]
2003-present
On 16 July 2003, Akkar was separated from North Lebanon due to the presence of government departments in the city of Tripoli which forced the citizens of Akkar to come from long distances in order to finish their government transactions.[20]
Syrian occupation
Killings and massacres
On 12 February 1978, Syrian special units (Arabic: الوحدات الخاصة السورية) attacked the northern village of Qnat, where they killed 15 Lebanese Forces fighters, the battle is known as battle of Qnat.[21]
On 9 February 1986, Syrian Military Intelligence killed Tawhid leader Khalil Akkawi because he refused to fight the Lebanese Forces.[22] Three supporters of Akkawi's Islamic Tawheed, or Islamic Unification Movement, were slain in gunfights with Syrian troopers after his burial, police reported.[23]
Former Syrian minister of interior Mohammad al-Shaar participated in the 1986 Bab al-Tabbaneh massacre. In the 1980s, al-Shaar was a top intelligence official in northern Lebanon when Syrian troops stormed Tripoli and crushed a Sunni group that supported Palestine Liberation Organization chief Yasser Arafat.[24]
Torture and detention
The Syrian military intelligence (المخابرات السورية) set up a torture prison inside the Evangelical School in Jabal Mohsen, the prison was called "American Prison" (معتقل الاميركان).[25]
2021 Akkar explosion
On 15 August 2021, 28 people were killed and 79 injured when a fuel tank exploded in Akkar in North Lebanon.[26]
Electoral District
2000
In the 2000 Lebanese general election, North Lebanon was divided in two electoral districts: Akkar-Danniyeh-Bcharreh and Tripoli-Miniyeh-Zgharta-Koura-Batroun. Those division were made by Ghazi Kanaan and Rafik Hariri to ensure that the Sunni majority would take away the true Christian opposition representation, however Nayla Moawad still managed to win.[27]
2005
In the 2005 Lebanese general election, the March 14 alliance that was formed between Nayla Moawad, Boutros Harb, Kataeb, Lebanese Forces and Saad Hariri after the Cedar Revolution won all the seats in North Lebanon.[28]
2009
In the 2009 Lebanese general election, North Lebanon was divided into 7 electoral districts: Akkar, Minniyeh-Danniyeh, Tripoli, Zgharta, Bcharreh, Koura and Batroun.
The March 14 Alliance won in 6 out of 7 electoral districts, the only electoral district they lost in was Zgharta which was won by the March 8 Alliance.[29]
2018 and 2022
In the 2018 and 2022 Lebanese general election, North Lebanon was divided into 3 electoral districts: North I, North II and North III.[30]
That electoral law was crafted to favor Gebran Bassil so he could finally win a seat after losing in 2005 and 2009.[31]
Demographics
The following only includes numbers of northern Lebanese that are at least 21 years old and eligible to vote.[32]
North I
| Religion | Akkar |
|---|---|
| Sunni | 213152 |
| Orthodox | 42904 |
| Maronite | 31718 |
| Alawite | 15797 |
| Shia | 3240 |
| Catholic | 1861 |
| Evangelical | 777 |
| Armenian Catholic | 31 |
| Armenian Orthodox | 26 |
| Minorities | 11 |
| Total | 309517 |
North II
| Religion | Tripoli | Minyeh | Danniyeh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunni | 209594 | 44166 | 61443 |
| Alawite | 21962 | ||
| Orthodox | 12718 | 3500 | 5756 |
| Maronite | 4300 | 339 | 7428 |
| Armenian Orthodox | 1712 | ||
| Catholic | 1170 | ||
| Minorities | 1077 | ||
| Shia | 963 | 3 | 38 |
| Evangelical | 546 | ||
| Armenian Catholic | 376 | ||
| Druze | 20 | ||
| Total | 254438 | 48008 | 74665 |
North III
| Religion | Batroun | Koura | Zgharta | Bcharreh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maronite | 45928 | 11914 | 66536 | 50556 |
| Orthodox | 9667 | 39236 | 3394 | 230 |
| Sunni | 3974 | 9350 | 11139 | 39 |
| Catholic | 1270 | 182 | 360 | 45 |
| Shia | 1141 | 1250 | 111 | |
| Armenian Orthodox | 179 | 53 | 118 | 24 |
| Minorities | 166 | 53 | ||
| Armenian Catholic | 60 | 163 | ||
| Alawite | 46 | 569 | 63 | |
| Evangelical | 12 | 60 | 74 | |
| Druze | 1 | 1 | ||
| Total | 62444 | 62667 | 82051 | 50894 |