Darbechtar

Darbechtar ( known also as Darb Ishtar, داربعشتار) is a village located on the South-Eastern periphery of the Koura District in the North Governorate of the Republic of Lebanon.

Darbechtar borders the villages of Amyoun, Bziza, Majdel, Kaftoun, and Dar-shmizzine. The Village is particularly famous for the Chalouhi, Bou Ghosn, Zoughbi, and other families.

The Lebanese hailing from Darbechtar number 10,000 worldwide. 85% of them live outside Lebanon, mainly in France, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Canada, the United States.

The population of Darbechtar is Maronite Christian.

Etymology
The name of the village is derivative of the Aramaic words, Dar and Ishtar, meaning the House of Astarte. It is believed that the village was the site of an ancient Phoenician shrine for the Goddess of Fertility.)

Climate
Darbechtar    : Mediterranean plain village with heavy rains, mild winters and hot dry arid summers.

Min / Max average temperatures in Celsius Degree

Jan (8/16) Feb (9/16) Mar (10/19) Apr (13/22) May (16/25) Jun (19/27) Jul (22/29) Aug (23/30) Sep (20/29) Oct (17/27) Nov (13/22) Dec (10/18)

Environment
The village is the home of Olive oil production. Therefore, most of the village is planted with the ever green Olive Trees along with Grapes, Figs, variety of bushes, plants, and flowers.)

Olive oil extraction
Traditionally, olive oil was produced by crushing olives in stone or wooden mortars or beam presses. Nowadays, olives are ground to tiny bits, obtaining a paste that is mixed with water and processed by a centrifuge, which extracts the oil from the paste, leaving behind pomace.)

Uses of the Olive Fruit
Olive Oil is used in cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and soaps, and as a fuel for traditional oil lamps. Olive oil is a healthful oil because of its high content of monounsaturated fat (mainly oleic acid) and polyphenols.)

Places of worship
There are 4 places of Christian worship in Darbechtar mainly Churches:
 * Church of Saint George
 * Church of Saint Elias
 * Church of Saint Chalita
 * Church of our Lady of Saydeh
 * Church of St Joseph