Chouf District, Historic district with cedar forests in Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon
Chouf District is an administrative region in Lebanon containing valleys and mountains that form the country's largest natural cedar forest reserve. The territory spans multiple elevations and includes numerous villages situated between coastal areas and the capital.
In the 17th century, Druze leader Fakhr al-Din II governed this territory and achieved a degree of independence from Ottoman rule. This period shaped regional development and laid the foundation for later administrative structures.
The population of Chouf District includes Druze, Sunni Muslims, and Maronite Catholics who maintain distinct customs and celebrations that shape daily life. You can see different religious architecture throughout the villages and observe how these communities coexist in the same landscape.
The area spans multiple elevations and is easily accessible from coastal towns and the capital city. Visitors should be aware that road conditions and accessibility can vary depending on the season and weather.
Beiteddine Palace, a 19th-century architectural complex in the district capital, now serves as both a summer residence and museum. The structure and its collections offer insights into regional leadership and artistic traditions of that era.
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