Zahlé

Zahlé (Arabic: زحلة) is the fifth-most populous city and baladiya of Lebanon, located in Beqaa District, the commercial and cultural centre of the Beqaa Valley. As of December 2023, Zahlé had a population of 188,139 and a metropolitan population of over 440,000. Christians account for nearly 90% of the population of the city and about 75% its metropolitan area; while the majority of Lebanese Christians are Maronites, most Zahlé residents are Melchites. The remaining population is split more or less evenly between Maronites, Sunnis, Ismaili Shias and Druze. Zahlé is the largest and most important inland Lebanese city. It is served by Zahlé Airport, one of only two international airports in Lebanon (alongside the larger Beirut–Rafic Hariri Airport).