Bteghrine

Bteghrine
بتغرين
City
Overlooking Bteghrine (2005)
Map showing the location of Bteghrine within Lebanon
Bteghrine
Location within Lebanon
Coordinates: 33°55′48″N 35°44′42″E / 33.93000°N 35.74500°E / 33.93000; 35.74500Coordinates: 33°55′48″N 35°44′42″E / 33.93000°N 35.74500°E / 33.93000; 35.74500
Country  Lebanon
Governorate Mount Lebanon Governorate
District Matn District
Government
 • President Mirna Michel el-Murr
 • Vice President Emile Murad Saliba
 • Mayors Nejm Elias Saliba
Jean Jamil Saliba
Jean Mansour Saliba
Elevation 950 m (3,120 ft)
Highest elevation 1,100 m (3,600 ft)
Lowest elevation 950 m (3,120 ft)
Population
 • Total 12,000
Time zone UTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+3 (EEST)
Dialing code +961

Bteghrine (Arabic: بتغرين‎, also spelled Bteghrin and Btighrin) is a municipality in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon.

Etymology

The exact origin of the town name Bteghrine is unknown, but possibilities include Place of Warriors, Place of Rocks, and House of the Saddest - references to a large battle in the area around 1290 that resulted in thousands of deaths.[1] This date corresponds closely with the rise of the Mamluks, a period which saw numerous battles in the area, including a 1291 rebellion by the Shi'a against the new rulers in Keserwan, the district on the northern border of the Matn.[2]

Geography

Bteghrine is located at 33°55′48″N 35°44′42″E / 33.93°N 35.745°E / 33.93; 35.745. It is bordered by Mount Sannine to the east, Wadi el-Jamajem to the north, Jouar to the west, and Khenchara to the south. The municipality is composed of seven neighborhoods and four outlying areas.

Neighborhoods

  • Haret al-Ain
  • Haret al-Dara
  • Haret al-Shahara
  • Haret al-Shawyee
  • Haret al-Ssaha
  • Haret al-Wata
  • Haret Ali
  • Haret al-Asfourieh

Outlying areas

View of Mount Sannine from Zaarour (2005)
  • Bsefrine
  • Meisree
  • Sabourta
  • Zaarour

Water

There are several springs used for both drinking water and agricultural purposes in Bteghrine. The four primary springs are Zaarour, Manboukh, Mir, and Sparta.

Agriculture

Bteghrine is situated on a rocky hillside, but supports a thriving, self-sufficient agriculture. Most of the land within the city and the surrounding hills, including the Meisree and Bsefrine districts, was fully terraced to make it more suited for planting. The most common fruits and vegetables grown in Bteghrine are: figs, grapes, mulberry, plums, apples, peaches, persimmon, pomegranate, cherries, tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, mint, wheat, and beans. Small shops in the town process much of the local produce into arak, molasses, wine, and preserves.

Economy

Centre Bteghrine, in downtown Bteghrine (2003)

The Saliba Nail and Screw factory is the largest single plant in Bteghrine. Additionally, the town has a large number of small shops for blacksmithing, woodworking, car repair and bodywork, leather tailoring, and aluminum manufacturing. The city also enjoys a full set of services including three gas stations, a supermarket, dry cleaner, several specialty and general stores, a large bakery, several bookstores, several clinics, many restaurants, and one hotel. Bteghrine also hosts the central telephone station for the upper Metn region.

Education

There is one public school in the town named Bteghrine Public School, and one private Catholic school.

Religion

The inhabitants of Bteghrine are almost all Christians, 75% Greek Orthodox and 25% Melkite Catholic.

Churches

  • St. George – Greek Orthodox.
  • St. Michael – Greek Orthodox.
  • St. Elias – Greek Orthodox.
  • Notre Dame – Melkite Catholic.

Famous Bteghrineites

References

  1. ↑ "History of Bteghrine". Retrieved November 11, 2006.
  2. ↑ Library of Congress. "A Country Study: Lebanon". Retrieved November 29, 2006.
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