Lebanon (Mountain range in mountain)

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

mountain range in mountain range in a Syria. The word Lebanon is derived Lebanon is derived meaning "white"; from a Semitic root meaning "white"; is given to the mounand this name is given to the mountains, because of the whitish color of the whitish color of mountains balong geotheir rocks. The mountains belong geologically to the Cretaceous system, and Cretaceons systers and LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE 441 consist principally of limestones and Union Professors and instructors, 25; chalks. They are divided into two par- 1919: ; president, Rev. G. D. allel ranges, the Lebanon on the W. and students, Gossard.. the Anti-Lebanon (or more correctly Anti-Libanus) on the E. Between them lies the deep valley of the Buka (the Syria), which is from 4 to ancient Cœle- 6 miles wide, and is watered by the rivers Litany and El-Asi (the ancient Orontes). The former flows S. W., then turning abruptly to the W., reaches the sea a little N. of Tyre; while the latter flows in the opposite direction, and after crossing the turns to the plains of Hamath likewise W. to the Mediterranean. The highest summits occur in the N. in both ranges, Antibut are higher in Lebanon than in Lebanon; in the former they vary from 10,018 (El-Kazib) to 7,000 feet and less, and in the latter are about 8,000 or 9,000 feet. In both ranges the E. versant is the steeper and sterner. The W. of Lebanon are broken by numerslopes ous deep transverse valleys, running between the spurs that the main chain sends down to the very edge of the sea, where they often terminate in bold headlands. The W. slopes of Anti-Lebanon are more barren and more broken by crags and bare rocks. The valleys and are generthe lower slopes of the hills ally verdant with vegetation. The vine is extensively grown, and wine is made, but is all consumed at home. Mulberry trees figure prominently; for the manufacture of silk is one of the most impora tant industries of the mountaineers. Olive groves and orchards (nuts and figs) abound everywhere. The higher slopes are in many districts covered with forests of oak, cypress, pine, plane, etc. a Contrary to the current belief, remains of the great cedar forests of Solomon's time exist in more places than the single grove of 377 trees at the head of Kedisha valley. Tobacco, wheat, barley, and millet are the chief crops cultivated. Owing to the elevated situation, the climate is healthful and bracing. Streams of clear water are numerous. The inhabitants number in all about 400,000; 230,000 Maronites, 50,000 Druses, and 30,000 Moslems, and a few converts of the American Protestant and the Roman 30, 1842. Catholic missionaries of Beyrout. After the bloody quarrels of the Druses and Maronites in 1860, the district of Lebanon was separated (1861) from the Turkish pashalik of Syria, and put under Christian governor, the European the a powers constituting themselves "guardians" of the new province.