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Located in the Bekaa, 35 kilometres away
from Baalbeck, Aarsal is 14 km away from the Syrian
border and 122 km away from the Lebanese capital Beirut.
Its altitude is 1400-2000 m above sea level. The land,
36000 hectares (360 km²), is divided into a vast eastern
region (an arid area), the valleys which surround the
town, and the mountainous region (Al Jurd). Groundwater
is present as well as a river which flows seasonally.
The climate is humid in the north and dry desert in the
south.
Aarsal has a population of
roughly 35,000 of which 24,500 are permanent residents.
Their major source of income is from stone quarrying,
agriculture, and rearing goats and sheep. Wheat,
chickpeas, and barley are cultivated for local
consumption. Another common agricultural product in
Aarsal is fruits trees especially cherries, apricots,
hawthorn, sumac and grapes. Wild pear trees and wild
almond trees are also present. Cultivated vegetables
include eggplants, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Most
production is used locally with some vegetables marketed
in Zahleh. The dairy and meat produced are used for
consumption in the local area, the Bekaa, and by
industries in Chtaura.
Located in the Bekaa, 8 kilometres away
from Hermel, 12 km away from the Syrian border and 151
km away from the capital Beirut. Kwakh’s altitude is 650
m above sea level. With a land area of 10 hectares (0.1
km²), the population is 3000 but just 20% remain as
residents in this remote village.
The climate in Kwakh is moderate to
semiarid. The most widespread agricultural production is
wheat which is used for local consumption and cattle
feeding. The fruit trees cultivated in this village are
olive trees and almond trees. A major portion of the
land is used as forage pastures. Most of the families
depend on raising animals for a living. Sheep, cows, and
goats are herded to graze from the land.
Located at an altitude of 1100
m above sea level and covers 5.5 km². Batloun is located
8 kilometres away from the Caza (province) Center in
Beit Eddine. Batloun is rich in groundwater and there is
a river that flows in the village. Vegetables and fruits
are grown for local consumption and distributed in the
markets of Sidon. The most cultivated fruit trees are
apple, peach, cherry, figs, almonds and grapes. Only
small animals are raised for household consumption.
Batloun’s official population is 4500, of
which 80% are residents. The main sources of
income are from agriculture, governmental jobs, local
trade and industries. Cultural and social events take
place in the Batloun Cultural Club. As for medical care,
there are 4 clinics and 2 pharmacies in Batloun. The
village is however in close proximity to the Ain Wa Zein
hospital managed by a Druze charity organization and
caters for the inhabitants of the surrounding villages,
including Batloun.
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