Zahlé (also transliterated
Zahleh;
Lebanese Arabic: ; ) is the capital and largest city of
Beqaa Governorate,
Lebanon. With around 50,000 inhabitants, it is the fourth largest city in Lebanon (by city proper population) after
Beirut,
Tripoli and
Baalbek, and the fifth largest taking the whole urban area (
Jounieh urban area being larger). It is situated east of the capital Beirut, close to the Beirut-Damascus road, and lies at the junction of the
Lebanon mountains and the
Beqaa plateau, at a mean elevation of 1000m. Zahlé is known as the "Bride of the Beqaa" and "the Neighbor of the Gorge" due to its geographical location and attractiveness, but also as "the City of Wine and Poetry" It is famous throughout Lebanon and the region for its pleasant climate, numerous riverside restaurants and quality
arak. Its inhabitants are predominantly
Greek Catholic and known as
Zahlawis.