Bekaa Kafra (Arabic: بقاع كفرا) is a Lebanese village located in the Bsharri District in Northern Lebanon. Bekaa Kafra is located in front of the village of Bsharri across the Kadisha Valley. It is the birth town of Saint Charbel.[1] Bekaa Kafra has an altitude ranging from 1500 m to 2000 m at its highest point, making it the highest village in Lebanon and one of the highest in the Middle East.[2][3]

Bekaa Kafra
بقاع كفرا
Village
Bekaa Kafra in Winter
Bekaa Kafra in Winter
Map showing the location of Bekaa Kafra within Lebanon
Map showing the location of Bekaa Kafra within Lebanon
Bekaa Kafra
Location within Lebanon
Coordinates: 34°14′25.1″N 36°00′09.6″E / 34.240306°N 36.002667°E / 34.240306; 36.002667
Country Lebanon
GovernorateNorth Governorate
DistrictBsharri District
Elevation
1,800 m (5,900 ft)
Highest elevation
2,780 m (9,120 ft)
Lowest elevation
1,500 m (4,900 ft)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Dialing code+961

Etymology

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The village name origins are of Syriac language, meaning "Fertile land".[3]

Climate

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Bekaa Kafra has a temperate climate with warm, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. It is cold in winter for two reasons: Its location in Northern Lebanon, and its high altitude. Temperatures in winter average around 0 °C and can reach -10 °C to -30 °C. Temperatures in summer average around 18 °C, but they may reach 20 °C to 25 °C in July and August, but can also drop to as low as 6 °C at night. Snow in winter can accumulate up to 6 meters and occasionally more.

Position

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Bekaa Kafra is among the claimants to the status of highest village in Lebanon. Most of its settled is situated approximately 1700 meters above sea level.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Rihani, Ameen (2021-08-12). The Heart of Lebanon. Syracuse University Press. p. 372. ISBN 978-0-8156-5514-5.
  2. ^ a b "Bekaa Kafra, the highest village in Lebanon - LebanonUntravelled.com". 2023-02-16. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  3. ^ a b "Bekaa Kafra St. Charbel - commemorative medal | GW COIN". www.gwcoin.com. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
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