Chekka
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34°20′N 35°44′E / 34.333°N 35.733°E
| Chekka شكا |
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| Administration | |
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| Country |  Lebanon |
| Governorate | North Governorate |
| District | Batroun District |
| Geography | |
  Chekka
Location of Chekka, Lebanon
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| Elevation | 22–200 m (72–656 ft) |
Chekka is an industrial, coastal town in Lebanon. It is located north of Râs ach-Chaq’a’ and Herri beaches, or Theoprosopon of classical times and south of the ancient Phoenician port of Enfeh and the city of Tripoli. The origin of the word is believed to be Canaanite from the word Shikitta. Shikitta was mentioned Amarna letters in Egypt as a coastal town situated in the general area of Chekka now. This view is still rather controversial considering the absence of archaeological findings in Chekka backing this theory.
Chekka is also rich in freshwater submarine springs.[1] The American University of Beirut's Faculty of Engineering investigated the potential of sustainable exploitation of the Chekka Bay submarine springs in 2000.[1]
Joseph Soueif, the Eastern Catholic Church Maronite Rite Archbishop of Cyprus, was born in Chekka in 1962.
In 2009 Lebanese parliamentary elections, March 14 alliance backed by the west notably USA and France scored a victory in Chekka over March 8 alliance backed by Syrian and deputy Sleiman Franjiyeh. Residents of Chekka put aside for the first time sectarian divisions and loyalty to families.
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[edit] Economy
Chekka is home to some of the largest cement and paper factories in the eastern Mediterranean.[2] Companies such as Holcim Liban and Société Libanaise des Ciments Blancs S.A.L.B,, headquartered in Chekka.[3] The ancient process of extracting salt from the sea is still practiced in Chekka but without traditional wind powered water pumps.[4]
Chekka is said to have a potential to become an important tourist destination thanks to its landscape, wide beaches and green hills, but unfortunately few are the people that are taking the risk of opening a touristic business in Chekka because of the bad urban planning and the heavy pollution, not to mention the bad traffic on the main road and the high number of trucks passing everyday. Adding to this, rumors say that the municipality didn't give investors permission to open a night club, fearing that a vibrant nightlife could corrupt young ethics.
A new hospital is currently being built in the town, and it is expected for it to have about 82 beds.
Chekka is also an agricultural city. It is known for producing the best figs in Lebanon. It is the headquarters of the second largest Lebanese poultry producer with a slaughterhouse, farms, hatcheries and feed mill plant located in it. It has large public and private sand beaches and a good view over the sea.
[edit] Education and youth
Chekka has a lot of highly educated people especially among the young. and it has many schools, high schools, a technical school and a usek university branch. It is the home town for Groupe Saint Maron Chekka فوج مار مارون شكا a proud member of L'Association des Scouts du Liban and a vibrant member in the community. The group official web page is www.groupstmaronchekka.webs.com, not to mention the Sainte Famille Maronite Elementary and Middle School as well as Les Moines Libanais Maronite school. there is also talk of plans to expand the usek university campus in Chekka.
Young people in Chekka benefit from many public sports facilities in town and Chekka's beaches, and they also play an important role in the political offices and movements open in Chekka (especially the falanges, the Lebanese forces, marada and the free patriotic movement) but unfortunately political diversity in Chekka often causes trouble and fighting among citizens.
[edit] People and diaspora
Chekka's modern history is clear. The high land in Chekka now known as Chekka Al-Atika was resettled around 300 years ago and the fertile valley of Chekka was cultivated in the intention of making Chekka a Maronite stronghold on the Lebanese coast. Many families moved from Mount Lebanon to Chekka at that time. Hallal, Mkesh, chalfou and aboud families are four of the most notable founding Maronite families of Chekka. today Chekka has a Christian majority and a Sunni Muslim minority. It has many Maronite Christian, Greek Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches.
Statistics show that there are about 16,000 people currently residing in Chekka for work purposes but most of them vote in other towns and villages like Tanourin and places near Zgharta and Bcharre. Chekka has a rich diaspora especially in Australia, USA, Canada, France and Germany and many university graduates working in the Persian Gulf.
