Rmeileh

Geography

Rmeileh is located approximately 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) north of Sidon and 37 kilometres (23 mi) south of Lebanon's capital city, Beirut. It is 80 metres (260 ft) above sea level and covers an area of 544 hectares (1,340 acres). Rmeileh sits on hills close to the sea, by the Awali River. It is bordered to the south by the towns of Elman and Jamilla, to the east by Wardaniyeh town, and to the north by the town of Siblin.

Etymology

Rmeileh most likely got its name from the nature and location of its sandy beach. In Greek, it is known as Polatamos, but in the Syriac language, the name is derived from the word Armela meaning "beach".

History

Hill caves suggest a settlement on this site since earliest times. The ancient town of Rmeileh was located near the modern church.

Rmeileh has been important because of its proximity to Sidon. The town has been mentioned, as Palatamos, in conflicts between Antiochus III the Great and the Ptolemaic Kingdom.

In 1863, Ernest Renan found ruins of the ancient city. He found a "unique" 3.6 metres (12 ft) stone cut in the Egyptian style and stones spread throughout the town cut from sarcophagi from different eras. In a number of caves, excavators found pieces of pottery and tools. Glass and various currencies were found on the sandy beach by the town. The ancient walls were built of sandstone, and inside were broken mosaics. The discoveries at Rmeileh were similar to those in Jiyeh and Khaldeh, Sidon and Chehim. Perhaps the area was an important center in the Roman era.

Demographics

The population of Rmeileh is about 3,300.

Agriculture

Fruits and vegetables are grown, including almkhovh, olives, olive oil, citrus fruits, bananas, guava.

Archaeological sites

Religious sites

Natural features