# Bteddine el-Loqch

Bteddine el-Loqch, Btaddine el-Loqsh, Btaddine al-Lokch, Btaddine al-Loqsh, (Arabic:بتدين اللقش; also spelled Bteddine el-Liqch) is a municipality in South Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon.

## Etymology

The word Bteddine is believed to mean "house of religion" or "house of law". The word "El Loqch" (in spoken Lebanese, the pine tree pulp) was added in the 19th century by Emir Bashir Shihab II in order to differentiate the village from the town of Beit ed-Dine, capital of the Emirate of Mount Lebanon.

## Geography

Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the "Bisri" Valley, the village is 71 km (44.12 mi) away from Beirut and 28 km (17.40 mi) kilometers away from Saida and it is stretches between 740 m and 1010 m above sea level. It extends over an area of 3.2 Km2 surrounded by pine trees. It is limited at the North by the village "El Harf", at the South by the village "EL Homsiye", at the west by the villages "Al Beba" and "Taid" and at the East by the village "Sabbah".

### Climate

Its temperate climate is like most of the mountainous Lebanese villages. Bteddine El Loqch gains an average of 1040 mm (40.94 in) of rainfall per year.
| Month | High Temp (°C) | Low Temp (°C) |
| January | 12 | 5 |
| February | 12 | 5 |
| March | 14 | 7 |
| April | 17 | 9 |
| May | 20 | 12 |
| June | 23 | 16 |
| July | 25 | 18 |
| August | 25 | 19 |
| September | 24 | 18 |
| October | 22 | 15 |
| November | 18 | 10 |
| December | 14 | 7 |
| source 1 = NOAA (US) |

## History & Landmarks

An ancient grave dating from the Roman Empire, also known as "الناووس", is located to the north east of the village.
Bteddine El Loqch has an ancient church dedicated to Saint Joseph and dating from the 19th century. and lies few miles away from the Convent of Our Lady of Machmouche, one of the most important Maronite monasteries in Lebanon.

## Municipality

Phone Number : +961 07 800196
It is run by a town council consisted of 9 members elected in 2016 :
* Georges Salemeh (Mayor)
* Maguy Eid
* Noha Eid
* Charbel Al Kattar
* Sola Akl
* Said Bou Sleiman
* Jad Akl
* Roger Abou Sleiman
And one Mukhtar "Said Bou Sleiman"
They are elected every 6 years .

## Demographics

In 2014, Christians made up 99.29% of registered voters in Bteddine el-Loqch. 92.14% of the voters were Maronite Catholics.
The number of registered citizens reaches 830 people, with the majority belonging to the Maronite confession. The town counts 80 houses and 10 shops and commercial institutions. The most common family names are: "Kattar", "Abou Sleiman", "Eid", "Sayegh", "Abou Samra", "Akl", "Abi Nader".

## Cultural & Sports Club

Founded by a Committee in 1964, its first president was Mansour Eid, then followed by Samir Al Hajj, Nabil Kattar, Raif Kattar, Wajdi Kattar, Joe Eid, Ziad Atallah, Roger Abou Sleiman, Walid Karam, Charles Kattar, Romeo Akl, Talal Karam, Mazen Abou Samra and Christina Keryakos.
The club managed to create a Public Library containing a large variety of historical, intellectual and literary value books. It also published the first edition of the magazine "الكتاب" (Al-Kitab) in July 1967 and organized many popular festivals and events in the Jezzine region.

## Notable people

* Mansour Eid, Writer
* Samir Atallah, Journalist