Zgharta Alzawieh District () is a district (qadaa) of the North Governorate, northern Lebanon. Its capital is the city of Zgharta.
Geography The administrative center is the city of Zgharta. The district has 101 populated areas with 30 municipalities covering 37 villages. Some areas share the same municipality such as Ehden/Zgharta, Kfarsghab/Morh Kfarsghab, and Miziara/Harf Miziara. And there is one Municipalities Union.
The district has a population of around 81,490.
The district elevation is about 40 meters along the coast line and clmbs up to a height of 2,550 meters at the highest point of the Mount Lebanon mountain range.
The highest populated part of the district overlooks the Qozhaya Valley, which is the northern branch of the Holy Valley of Qadisha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve is in the mountains within the district. This higher part of the district is a visitor destination, including the Monastery of Mar Sarkis and the Monastery of Qozhaya areas.
Economy Agriculture stays the main activity of the district with an important olive oil production in the coastal area and fruits (apple and pears) in the mountain area. The recent years saw the development of a modest service sector around the economic pole of Zgharta.
Tourism also plays a big role in the district's economy. The main tourism hotspot in the Zgharta District is undoubtedly Ehden, which sees an influx of tourists every summer, as many people from around the country visit the mountain town. There are many religious tourism sites, such as the Monastery of Qozhaya, Mar Mema Church (the oldest standing Maronite church in the world), Saydet Al Marahem in Miziara and the famous Saydet El Hosn (Lady of the Fortress) in Ehden.
Demographics The officially registered population of the district was estimated to 90,000 in 1998. Around 50% of residents live in the economic pole of Zgharta: Zgharta, Rachiine, Kfardlakos, Kfarhata, Mijdlayiah, Ardeh, Harf Ardeh. The main other significantly populated areas are Miryata and Miziara.
According to registered voters in 2014:
Year Christians Muslims Druze Total Maronites Greek Orthodox Greek Catholics Other Christians Total Sunnis Shias Alawites Druze2014 2018 2022 2026
In 2022, there were 81,959 registered voters in the Zgharta district.
Number of registered voters (21+ years old) over the years. +YearsMenWomenTotalGrowth (%)200935,56735,77071,337201035,690 35,879 71,569 +0.32% 201135,765 35,909 71,674 +0.15% 201236,244 36,375 72,619 +1.30% 201336,911 36,906 73,817 +1.62% 201437,340 37,420 74,760 +1.26% 201537,762 37,765 75,527 +1.02% 201638,159 38,32676,485 +1.25% 201738,626 38,726 77,352 +1.12% 201839,077 39,106 78,183 +1.06% 201939,821 39,869 79,690 +1.89% 202040,286 40,279 80,565 +1.09% 202140,595 40,533 81,128 +0.69% 202241,053 40,906 81,959 +1.01% 202341,222 41,009 82,231 +0.33% 202441,529 41,260 82,789 +0.67% 202541,688 41,471 83,159 +0.44% 2026 83,682 +0.62% Source: DGCS
Towns and villages VillageArabic nameGPS CoordPopulation 1998AarjesAintourineAitouAlmaArbet KozhayaArdehAchachAsloutAsnounBasloukitBchennineBeit Awkar Beit Obeid Besbeel Bhairet ToulaBnachiiBousitDarayaEhdenEjbehFraydissHaret Al FawarHarf ArdehHarf MiziaraHawqaHilanHoumeiss IaalJdaydehKadriehKarahbacheKarmsaddehKfardlakosKfarfouKfarhawraKfarsghabKfarshakhnaKfarhataKfaryachitKfarzeinaKhaldiehKifrayaMazraat En NahrMazraat Al ToufahMazraat Hraikis MejdlayaMiriataMiziaraMorh KfarsghabRachiineRaskifaSakhraSebhelSereelToulaZgharta
References