Location

Rachana is located in the Kaza of Batroun. The village is located 380 meters above sea level and covers an area of 133 hectares. It is 49 kilometers from Beirut and 36 kilometers from the Mohafaza. Rachana can be reached via: Jbayl - Jesr al-Madfoun - Thoum - Rachana.

Etymology

In Syriac, the name Rachana means “the president” or “the leader.” However, scholars suggest that the name dates back to Phoenician times and means “the peak” or “the top of the hill.” It could also be translated from Phoenician as “the little peak”. Rash or Risha could also mean accumulating wealth or getting rich. Thus the name may indicate “village of the rich”. The final meaning may suggest the “village of fawn”.

Population

There are approximately 270 registered inhabitants in Rachana, of which 107 reside permanently in the village. The rest of the population is scattered, mostly in the Lebanese capital Beirut, where better living opportunities are available. The majority of Rachana’s population is Christian Maronite, and it has 47 houses.

Number of Voters

In 2000, there were approximately 170 registered voters in Rachana. By 2004, that number increased to 176. Voters are distributed among the following families (according to the 2000 elections):

 Khalifeh 54 voters

 Shaheen 51 voters

 Abdallah 20 voters

 Basbous 19 voters

 Khoury 11 voters

 Kana’an 8 voters

 Bshara 7 voters

Local Authorities

The village has a mayor, Hanoun Shaheen, and a mayoral council.

Educational Institutions

Rachana has one coeducational private school, which was established by Antoine Khalifeh in 1980. The school registered 250 students attending from Rashana and from neighboring villages for the 2004-2005 academic year.

Economic Activities

The main agricultural goods in Rachana are olives and almonds, the cultivation of which provides for the residents’ livelihood, along with a number of other crops planted for domestic use. Rachana is also well known throughout Lebanon for the production and exhibition of stone sculptures. In addition, the village boasts a factory for fire extinguishers, supermarkets, and small shops, which sell basic provisions for area residents.

Projects

Rachana provides some public services for its people. Drinking water comes from the Dalli and al-Ghawaweet stream, via the water system in Batroun. The village’s electricity supply is provided by the Qadisha factory, via a transformer in Batroun. Rachana also has an electronic telephone system, postal service, and a sports club. The village is linked to Batroun’s court system and police station.

Archeological and Cultural Sites

Rachana is well known for its sculpture museum, which was established by the Basbous brothers. This museum gives the village an educational and cultural identity.

Rachana’s Road network map :

Rachana’s Map of desertification risk :

Rachana’s Map of rivers and springs :