North Governorate
North Governorate (Arabic: الشمال, Aš Šamāl) is a region in the north of Lebanon. Its capital is Tripoli. It covers about 1,236.8 square kilometers and has roughly 800,000 residents (official figure 807,204). The population density is about 653 people per square kilometer. The area follows UTC+2, changing to UTC+3 in summer.
Governor and administration
- The governor’s post has been vacant since 14 May 2025. Ramzi Nohra served as governor from 2 May 2014 until 14 May 2025.
- The governorate is divided into districts (aqdya): Bsharri, Batroun, Koura, Minieh-Danniyeh, Tripoli, and Zgharta. Akkar District used to be part of North Governorate but became Akkar Governorate in 2014.
Key places to visit
- Cedars of God, Qadisha Valley, Gibran Museum
- Hammams of Tripoli, Mansouri Great Mosque, Citadel Saint Gilles
- Phoenician Wall, Deir Qozhaya, Khan Al-Khayyatin
- Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve, Ixsir Winery
- St. Stephan’s Cathedral, Tannourine Cedar Forest Nature Reserve, Baatara Pothole
People and elections
- In 2014, Sunnis were the majority in Tripoli and the Minyeh and Danniyeh districts, with Christians mainly in Zgharta, Batroun, Bsharri, and Koura (about 91% in those areas based on registered voters).
- In 2018, about 52.9% of registered voters were Sunni and 44% were Christian (Maronite and Orthodox); this does not include those under 18 or non-nationals.
- The North Governorate has two electoral constituencies: North II (Tripoli–Minyeh–Danniyeh) and North III (Batroun–Zgharta–Koura–Bsharri).
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 15:34 (CET).