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'''Chouf''' (also spelled Shouf, Shuf or Chuf, in [[Arabic language|Arabic]] '''جبل الشوف''' ''Jebel ash-Shouf'') is a historic region of [[Lebanon]], as well as an administrative [[Districts of Lebanon|district]] in the [[Governorates of Lebanon|governorate]] (mohafazat) of [[Mount Lebanon Governorate|Mount Lebanon]].
'''Chouf''' (also spelled Shouf, Shuf or Chuf, in [[Arabic language|Arabic]] '''جبل الشوف''' ''Jebel ash-Shouf'') is a historic region of [[Lebanon]], as well as an administrative [[Districts of Lebanon|district]] in the [[Governorates of Lebanon|governorate]] (mohafazat) of [[Mount Lebanon Governorate|Mount Lebanon]].


Located south-east of [[Beirut]], the region comprises a narrow coastal strip notable for the Christian town of [[Damour]], and the valleys and mountains of the western slopes of [[Jabal Barouk]], the name of the local Mount Lebanon massif. Chouf is the heartland of the [[Lebanese Druze]] community, with Druze leader [[Walid Jumblatt]] residing at the Jumblatt palace in the town of [[Moukhtara]]. The Emirs of Lebanon used to have their residence in Chouf, most notably [[Bachir Chehab II]], who built the magnificent palace of [[Beiteddine]] during the first half of the 19th century. Another historical town, located just below Beiteddine, is [[Deir al Qamar]] (the monastery of the Moon).
Located south-east of [[Beirut]], the region comprises a narrow coastal strip notable for the Christian town of [[Damour]], and the valleys and mountains of the western slopes of Jabal [[Barouk]], the name of the local Mount Lebanon massif. Chouf is the heartland of the [[Lebanese Druze]] community, with Druze leader [[Walid Jumblatt]] residing at the Jumblatt palace in the town of [[Moukhtara]]. The Emirs of Lebanon used to have their residence in Chouf, most notably [[Bachir Chehab II]], who built the magnificent palace of [[Beiteddine]] during the first half of the 19th century. Another historical town, located just below Beiteddine, is [[Deir al Qamar]] (the monastery of the Moon).


[[Baakline]], a historic and largest town in the Chouf, used to be the capital of old Mountain of Lebanon, where Druze Amir [[Fakhreddine II | Fakhr-al-Din II]] was born. He was well liked by both Christians and Druze. He switched his residence to Deir al Qamar due of a water shortage in Baakline.
[[Baakline]], a historic and largest town in the Chouf, used to be the capital of old Mountain of Lebanon, where Druze Amir [[Fakhr-al-Din II | Fakhreddine II]] was born. He was well liked by both Christians and Druze and is the best man who ever ruled Lebanon. He switched his residence to Deir al Qamar due of a water shortage in Baakline.


The Chouf is living proof of the harmony between Maronite Christians and Druze, although several violent clashes have occurred between the two groups in 1848, 1860 and most recently in 1983-1984, during the [[Lebanese Civil War]] ([[Mountain War]], [[Arabic]]: ''Harb el-Jabal''). This saw the [[Progressive Socialist Party]] (PSP), a traditionally Druze oriented party, beat the [[Lebanese Forces]] (LF), comprising Maronite Christians. Reconciliation between the Druze and Christian communities came to fruition on August 8, 2001, when the [[Maronite Patriarchs|Maronite Patriarch of Antioch]], [[Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir]] made a historic visit to the Chouf and met with the Druze and Chouf leader, [[Walid Jumblatt]].
The Chouf is living proof of the harmony between Maronite Christians and Druze, although several violent clashes have occurred between the two groups in 1848, 1860 and most recently in 1983-1984, during the [[Lebanese Civil War]] ([[Mountain War]], [[Arabic]]: ''Harb el-Jabal''). This saw the [[Progressive Socialist Party]] (PSP), a traditionally Druze oriented party, beat the [[Lebanese Forces]] (LF), comprising Maronite Christians. Reconciliation between the Druze and Christian communities came to fruition on August 8, 2001, when the [[Maronite Patriarchs|Maronite Patriarch of Antioch]], [[Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir]] made a historic visit to the Chouf and met with the Druze and Chouf leader, [[Walid Jumblatt]].

Revision as of 12:01, 10 September 2015

Chouf District
District
جبل الشوف
Chouf Mountains
Chouf Mountains
Location in Lebanon
Location in Lebanon
Country Lebanon
GovernorateMount Lebanon Governorate
CapitalBeiteddine
Area
 • Land191 sq mi (495 km2)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)+3

Chouf (also spelled Shouf, Shuf or Chuf, in Arabic جبل الشوف Jebel ash-Shouf) is a historic region of Lebanon, as well as an administrative district in the governorate (mohafazat) of Mount Lebanon.

Located south-east of Beirut, the region comprises a narrow coastal strip notable for the Christian town of Damour, and the valleys and mountains of the western slopes of Jabal Barouk, the name of the local Mount Lebanon massif. Chouf is the heartland of the Lebanese Druze community, with Druze leader Walid Jumblatt residing at the Jumblatt palace in the town of Moukhtara. The Emirs of Lebanon used to have their residence in Chouf, most notably Bachir Chehab II, who built the magnificent palace of Beiteddine during the first half of the 19th century. Another historical town, located just below Beiteddine, is Deir al Qamar (the monastery of the Moon).

Baakline, a historic and largest town in the Chouf, used to be the capital of old Mountain of Lebanon, where Druze Amir Fakhreddine II was born. He was well liked by both Christians and Druze and is the best man who ever ruled Lebanon. He switched his residence to Deir al Qamar due of a water shortage in Baakline.

The Chouf is living proof of the harmony between Maronite Christians and Druze, although several violent clashes have occurred between the two groups in 1848, 1860 and most recently in 1983-1984, during the Lebanese Civil War (Mountain War, Arabic: Harb el-Jabal). This saw the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), a traditionally Druze oriented party, beat the Lebanese Forces (LF), comprising Maronite Christians. Reconciliation between the Druze and Christian communities came to fruition on August 8, 2001, when the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch, Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir made a historic visit to the Chouf and met with the Druze and Chouf leader, Walid Jumblatt.

Despite a bloody history, the Chouf is one of the best-preserved Lebanese districts and its nature has been generally spared from the intense building frenzy that has spoiled neighbouring Metn and Kesrouan. The biggest forest of Cedars of Lebanon is found on the flanks of Jabal Barouk.

Demographics

Despite the historical feuds between Christian Maronites and Druze, the Chouf district is still one of the most religiously diverse regions in Lebanon. The Druze are currently the largest religious denominations in the region. However, there is also a substantial Sunni Muslims, Maronite and a Greek Catholic population, as well as a smaller Shi'a Muslim population. Roughly 70% of the region is of the Muslim sect, which is mostly composed of Druze and Sunni. The remaining 30% is representative of the Christian sect.

Cities and towns

Remains of a palace in Baadarâne, Shouf, Lebanon
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