Rahbeh

This article is about the municipality in Lebanon. For the medieval fortress in Syria, see al-Rahba.

Rahbeh, Rahbé, (Arabic: رحبة) is a city located in Akkar Governorate, Lebanon. The dwellers are Greek-Orthodox and other confessions. In 2009, there were 6,133 eligible voters in Rahbeh.^[2]

Rahbeh رحبة
Rahbeh Location within Lebanon
Coordinates: 34°30′14″N 36°08′48″E
Country	Lebanon
Governorate	Akkar
District	Akkar
Area [1]
• Total	1,150 km2 (440 sq mi)
Elevation [1]	560 m (1,840 ft)
Population
• Total	around 8,000
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Dialing code	+961

History

In 1838, Eli Smith noted the village, whose inhabitants were "Greek" Christians, located south of esh-Sheikh Mohammed.^[3]

Rahbeh is the second biggest village in North Lebanon, with a majority Christian Orthodox population, along with other Christian sectors and a minority Muslim population. It is renowned for having 365 springs and is famous for producing Lebanon's best Shanklish. Rahbeh has nurtured numerous prominent medical doctors, research scientists, and engineers in the semiconductor and other highly-tech industries. Rahbeh's people are well-known for their hospitality to visitors from all over the world, as many of its residents have migrated to various countries, including North and South American, African, and Arab states of the Persian Gulf. The local and migrated Rahbeh people have achieved tremendous success and made significant contributions to healthcare, science, technology, and the town's economy and the wellbeing of its residents.