Baabda District (Шаблон:Lang-ar, transliteration: Qada' Baabda), sometimes spelled B'abda, is a district (qadaa) of Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon, to the south and east of the Lebanon's capital Beirut. The region is also popularly known as "Southern Matn District" (Шаблон:Lang, transliteration: al-Matn al-Janoubi), as distinct from Northern Matn District, (Шаблон:Lang; transliteration: al-Matn ash-Shimali). The capital of Baabda District is the city of Baabda.
The inhabitants of the Baabda district are mainly Maronite Catholics, Shi'a Muslims and Druze. The Maronites are the largest group, followed by Shia and Druze. However, Sunni Muslims, Melkite Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians also inhabit the area.
It is important to note that Shiite Muslims in the Baabda district mostly inhabit the coastal area of the district which lies directly south of Beirut. This area is also known as "Dahieh" or the southern suburbs of Beirut. The Druze on the other hand, live in the mountainous area further inland.
As of the 2005 elections, Baabda has six seats allocated to it in the Lebanese Parliament. Three of these seats are allocated to Maronite Catholics, while two are allocated to the Shi'a Muslims and one to the Druze.
Environment and archaeology
Baabda District is the source of amber sites dating from 120 million years ago that have uncovered among the oldest lizards including the Baabdasaurus, and also many insects.
