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South Governorate
محافظة الجنوب
Map of Lebanon with South highlighted
Map of Lebanon with South highlighted
CountryLebanon
CapitalSidon
Government
 • GovernorMansour Daou
Area
[1]
 • Total929.6 km2 (358.9 sq mi)
Population
 • Estimate 
(31 December 2017)[2]
590,078
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
ISO 3166 codeLB-JA
Scenic view of Al Rihan, South Governorate

South Governorate (Arabic: الجنوب; transliterated: al-Janub) is one of the governorates of Lebanon. South Lebanon has a population of 590,000 inhabitants and an area of 929.6 km2. The capital is Sidon. The lowest elevation is sea-level; the highest is 1,000 meters. The local population is religiously diverse and includes Shia and Sunni Muslims, Druze, Eastern Orthodox, Maronite, Protestant, and Greek Catholic Christians. Temperatures can drop to 4 °C during winter with much rain and snow on the higher ground. In the humid summer, temperatures can rise to 30 °C in the coastal areas. The governorate has several rivers: the Litani, Deir El Zahrani, Naqoura, Awali, Qasmiye, and Hasbani. The area is famous for its citrus and banana farms. Its main cities are Sidon, Tyre and Jezzine.

Local attractions and events

The area offers a great number of attractions, including pristine white sandy beaches south of Tyre, and the opportunity to snorkel or dive among submerged Phoenician and Roman ruins near the ancient cities of Sidon and Tyre. Culture-lovers will enjoy the bustling Ottoman-era Pazars, and one can relax after a long day at a seafood restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean. Southern Lebanon also hosts the Tyre festival, which attracts thousands of tourists each year.

Religion in the South Governorate

Religion in the South Governorate (2020)

  Shias (67%)
  Sunnis (13%)
  Christians (20%)

Shias make up the majority of the governorate and are the main residents of the Zahrani Tyre districts. Sunnis are the main residents of Saida the capital of the governorate and the third largest city in Lebanon after Beirut and Tripoli. Christians are mainly residents of the Jezzine district and form a small community in the city of Tyre, which is the fourth-most-populous city in Lebanon.

Jezzine, South Governorate

Districts

Cities

See also

References

  1. ^ ""Lebanon State of the Environment Report", chapter 1" (PDF). Ministry of Environment (Lebanon). 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-25. Retrieved 2013-11-25.
  2. ^ Brinkhoff, Thomas (2 March 2019). "Lebanon: Administrative Division". City Population. Retrieved 3 July 2021.


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