Zweitina

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Zweitina
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native_name = زُويتينة
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image_caption = The Syrian village of Zweitina


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pushpin_map_caption =Location in Syria
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Flag|Syria
subdivision_type1 = Governorate
subdivision_name1 = Homs Governorate
subdivision_type2 = District
subdivision_name2 = Talkalakh District
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latd=34|latm=45|lats=|latNS=N
longd=36|longm=16|longs=|longEW=E
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elevation_m = 420
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Zweitina or Zuwaytini ( _ar. زُويتينة ArTranslit|Zūweytīnah) is a small village located in Western Syria close to the Lebanese borders and administratively belonging to the Governorate of Homs. Its location in the midst of a coniferous mountain makes it a popular and favored summer destination. Its altitude ranges between 400 and 450 meters. Zweitina is perhaps most famous for its Al-Fawwar spring, which is named so because it flows sporadically. Zweitina is home to the historic Saint George's Monastery, one of the oldest in Syria. It is also very close to the Crac des Chevaliers, or Qal`at al-Ḥiṣn.cite web | url =http://www.marmarita.com/nuke/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1874 | title =Information| accessdate =2006-11-29 | publisher =Marmarita | language =Arabic ]

Etymology

The name Zweitina is derived from the word "zeitoun" which is Arabic for olive. "Zweitina" is Arabic for a single olive fruit. Olive trees dominate the forests of Zweitina and are considered the most important crops in the village which produces large amounts of olive product, thus justifying the name.Others argue that the name was derived from the Aramaic language and means "the land where silkworms grow" and refers to the silkworms which live and grow on berry trees found in the village's forests.

Demographics & people

Due to changing weather conditions, Zweitina has a changing population, reaching approximately 5,000 inhabitants in summer. It is a village where Christianity dominates. Almost 75% of the original population live outside the village. Pennsylvania, USA, which has the highest number of immigrants from the village, is home to approximately 500 families.cite web | url =http://www.marmarita.com/nuke/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1874 | title =Immigrants in USA| accessdate =2006-11-29 | publisher =Marmarita | language =Arabic ] Zweitina is also very close to the neighboring village of Marmarita, another Christian village.

References