Haret el Belaneh

 

History 

 

No mention in history about the town despite the existence of two historic churches, one of which dates back to 1880.  the churches are frequently visited by the faithful, specially on Virgin Mary is memorial day on the 8th of August every year. 

 

Construction

 

 The existence of two churches indicate that the area has been inhabited for a long time specially in the upper parts.  The town has since expanded to join its neighboring town Dbayeh where the population is similar in makeup.

 

 Geography 

 

-          Beit el Shaar and Deik el Mehdi from the east

 

-          Dbayeh to the west

 

-          Zouk Khrab to the north

 

-          Aoukar to the south

 

 The land is from 10 meters to 200 meters, at the highest point, above sea level.  Rocky and bushy land with a steep fall and a flat land in the mid west. 

Its weather is moderate and dry in the highlands. 

 

Demography

 

Population – 1260 

Area – 1,000,000 m² 

Average 5 persons per family

 

Land Use 

 

100,000 m²                   construction

 

880,000 m²                   rocky and bushy unused land

 

20,000 m²                     industrial

 

 Utilities

 

 Water is supplied from Beirut Water Company and Jal el Dib Company.  While electricity supply is from Antelias and Bekfia. 

 

Education  

 

There is one school in Haret el Belaneh, established in 1957, teaching 3 languages, Arabic, English and Armenian.  It has 206 students, 40% males and 60% females.

 

Religious Places 

 

Lady of the Cave Church, a historic church built in the rocks. The VirginLady Church built in 1880 near to a natural grotto.

 

 

 

Dbayeh       Aoukar       Zouk Khrab      Haret el Belaneh