# Zahlé

> capital and largest city of Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon

**Wikidata**: [Q26569](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26569)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zahlé)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zahle

## Summary
Zahlé is the capital and largest city of the Beqaa Governorate in Lebanon. Located within the Zahlé District, it serves as a significant administrative hub and municipality. The city is internationally recognized for its cultural contributions, notably as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Classified as a city and a municipality of Lebanon.
- **Location**: Situated in the Zahlé District of the Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon.
- **Coordinates**: 33.843888888889°N, 35.907222222222°E.
- **Elevation**: 1,010 metres above sea level.
- **Area**: Covers a total area of 8,000,000 square metres.
- **Population**: Recorded as 100,000 as of 2006.
- **Demonym**: Masculine plural inhabitants are referred to as "Zahlawi."
- **Governance**: The head of government is Joseph Diab Al Maalouf.
- **UNESCO Status**: Member of the Creative Cities Network designated as a "City of Gastronomy" since 2013.
- **Twin City**: Twinned with Zabrze (relationship established October 8, 2007).
- **Infrastructure**: Utilizes the postal code 1801 and local dialing code 8.
- **Time Zone**: Observes Eastern European Time.

## FAQs
**What is the geographical and administrative location of Zahlé?**
Zahlé is located in the Beqaa Governorate of Lebanon, situated within the Zahlé District at an elevation of 1,010 metres. It serves as the capital of both the governorate and the district.

**What international recognition does Zahlé hold?**
The city is a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, specifically designated as a "City of Gastronomy" since 2013. It is also twinned with the city of Zabrze.

**Who is the current political leader of the city?**
Joseph Diab Al Maalouf serves as the head of government for Zahlé.

## Why It Matters
Zahlé holds critical importance as the administrative heart of the Beqaa Valley, functioning as the capital of the Beqaa Governorate. Its significance extends beyond regional governance into global culture; its designation as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy highlights its role as a pivotal center for culinary heritage and creativity. The city's high elevation and substantial population (100,000 as of 2006) further cement its status as a major demographic and geographic landmark in Lebanon.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Capital**: Serves as the seat of government for the Beqaa Governorate.
- **Culinary Heritage**: Holds the distinction of being a UNESCO "City of Gastronomy."
- **High Elevation**: Located 1,010 metres above sea level.
- **International Relations**: Maintains an official town twinning with Zabrze.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Zahlé is geographically positioned at latitude 33.843888888889 and longitude 35.907222222222. It sits at a significant elevation of 1,010 metres above sea level, covering an expansive area of 8,000,000 square metres. Administratively, the city is the capital of the Beqaa Governorate and is located within the Zahlé District. It operates as a municipality under the local dialing code 8 and utilizes the postal code 1801. The city observes Eastern European Time.

### Demographics and Governance
As of the 2006 census data, the population of Zahlé was recorded at 100,000. Residents identifying with the city are known by the demonym "Zahlawi" (masculine plural). The city's political leadership is headed by Joseph Diab Al Maalouf.

### Cultural and International Relations
Zahlé maintains a prominent profile in global culture and international cooperation. In 2013, it was inducted into the Creative Cities Network under the category of "City of Gastronomy." The city also participates in international municipal partnerships, having established a twinning relationship with Zabrze on October 8, 2007.

Zahlé is extensively documented in global encyclopedic sources, including the Encyclopædia Britannica (ID: place/Zahlah), the Great Russian Encyclopedia (ID: 1989631), and was historically described in Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (4th edition, 1885–1890).

### Nomenclature and Identifiers
The city is officially named **زحلة** in Arabic. It is known by several aliases and transliterations, including Zahle, Zahleh, Zaḥlah, and Zahla.

For digital and library cataloging purposes, Zahlé is associated with a wide array of identifiers:
- **GND ID**: 4441235-6
- **VIAF ID**: 132559182
- **GeoNames ID**: 266045
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: c7e49663-c2d0-4d2e-b184-87eaf432d66d
- **OpenStreetMap Node ID**: 564377442
- **Wikidata ID**: Associated with the topic's main category "Category:Zahlé".

Additional database entries include identifiers for the National Library of Israel (987007536658805171), the Encyclopedia of China (322779), and the Who's On First database (890450039).

## References

1. [Source](https://www.um.zabrze.pl/mieszkancy/samorzad/miasta-partnerskie/zahle)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. MusicBrainz
4. GeoNames
5. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File