Damour river

Damour river
The Damour river at Jisr el Qadi
Country	Lebanon
Basin
Main source	Nabaa Al Safa, Nabeh Al Barouk 1,950 m (6,400 ft)
River mouth	Mediterranean Sea 33°42′21″N 35°26′22″E / 33.70583°N 35.43944°E / 33.70583; 35.43944Coordinates: 33°42′21″N 35°26′22″E / 33.70583°N 35.43944°E / 33.70583; 35.43944
Physical characteristics
Length	37.5 km (23.3 mi)
Discharge	Average rate: 307,000 m3/a (0.344 cu ft/s)[1]

Damour river or (Arabic: نهر الدامور‎‎, Nahr Al Damour) is a 37.5-kilometre (23.3 mi) coastal river in the Mount Lebanon Governorate in Lebanon. The headwaters of the river is Barouk mount. It flows west through Jisr Al kadi valley, then receives the chouf mountains creeks. The river flows towards the Mediterranean sea, south of Damour, the largest town on its banks and which bears the name of the river.

Mythology

During the Phoenician time, Canaanite people being affected by drought seasons, called the river "Damoros" ancient Tamyrus,^[2] in attribution of 'Damoros' god of immortality, related to 'Achtarout', god of love and beauty. This attribution symbolised the immortality of the river 'Arabic: النهر الدامر‎‎' and the beauty of the region. In 1302, the river being a strategic point towards the holy land, a crusade battle took place on its edge. Following the battle, French crusaders nicknamed the river "Fleuve D'amour".

The city foundation

The city was founded on the river's edge by poor people who wanted to charge the right of way to the emirs. Because the river have big flow rate in the winter season, residents assured the transport of passengers from side to other, obliging passengers to pay dearly for this service.

References