Halba, Lebanon

Halba is the capital of Akkar Governorate in northern Lebanon, close to the border with Syria. It is located at around. Its population is divided between Sunni Muslims, Greek Orthodox Christians|Greek Orthodox], Lebanese [Maronite Christians|Maronites], and followers of other religions.

History

In 1838, American missionary Eli Smith noted the village – whose inhabitants were Lebanese Greek [Orthodox Christians|Greek Orthodox] – located west of Cheikh Mohammad.
In 1856, it was named Halba in the Kiepert maps of Palestine and Jerusalem published that year.
Halba is home to the Sada Akkar newspaper, the only privately owned news agency in Akkar District. Halba is also home to a Lebanese Red Cross First Aid Center.

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.