Bodai | |
---|---|
Town | |
Coordinates:34°03′40″N36°03′40″E / 34.06111°N 36.06111°E /34.06111; 36.06111 | |
Country | ![]() |
Governorate | Baalbek-Hermel |
District | Baalbek |
Elevation | 3,540 ft (1,080 m) |
Population Estimate | |
• Total | 8,000[1] |
Bodai (Arabic:بوداي) is aLebanese town inBaalbek District,Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, situated west of theLitani River in the foothills ofMount Lebanon. Bodai is located 15 km (9 miles) northwest of the ancient city ofBaalbek and 26 km (16 miles) from the Lebanese–Syrian border[3] and is 90 kilometers (55.926 mi) away from the capital of Beirut.[2] Bodai, which sits in thefoothills of theMount Lebanon range, has views across theBeqaa Valley toward the city of Baalbek, and theAnti-Lebanon range that divides Lebanon from Syria.[1]
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There is a possibility that the etymology of the town's present day name Bodai could be traced to the time of the French Crusaders'County of Tripoli within Mount Lebanon region and the possibility that the French Crusaders named the village or the area after theMaison Boudai,[4] situated withinMontbozon, acommune in theHaute-Saônedepartment in theregion ofFranche-Comté in eastern France.[citation needed]
In 1838,Eli Smith notedBudey's population as being predominantlyMetawileh.[5]
The settlement is almost entirely populated byShiites.[6]
A significant percentage of the town population have migrated to the capital city ofBeirut. Also, a significant percentage of the town population have migrated overseas to countries such asBrazil,Argentina, United States of America, Canada,Australia,Mexico,Gulf Arab states andEuropean Union (UK and France).[citation needed]