Halba, Lebanon
Town in Akkar Governorate, Lebanon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Halba (Arabic: حلبا, romanized: Ḥalbā) is the capital of Akkar Governorate in northern Lebanon, close to the border with Syria. It is located at around 34°33′2″N 36°4′41″E. Its population is divided between Sunni Muslims, Greek Orthodox, Maronites, and followers of other religions.[1]
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Halba
حلبا | |
|---|---|
Town | |
Halba at night | |
  Halba Location within Lebanon | |
| Coordinates: 34°33′2″N 36°4′41″E | |
| Country |  Lebanon |
| Governorate | Akkar Governorate |
| District | Akkar District |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Abdul Hamid Ahmad al-Halabi (Independent) |
| Elevation | 167 m (548 ft) |
| Population (2013) | |
• Total | 4,730 eligible voters |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Dialing code | +961 |
History
In 1838, American missionary Eli Smith noted the village – whose inhabitants were Greek Orthodox – located west of Cheikh Mohammad.[2]
In 1856, it was named Halba in the Kiepert maps of Palestine and Jerusalem published that year.[3]
Halba is home to the Sada Akkar newspaper,[4] the only privately owned news agency in Akkar District. Halba is also home to a Lebanese Red Cross First Aid Center.[5]
Demographics
In 2014, Muslims made up 61.49% and Christians made up 38.27% of registered voters in Halba. 60.76% of the voters were Sunni Muslims, 26.46% were Greek Orthodox and 8.50% were Maronite Catholics.[6]