Burj el-Shemali
Burj el-Shemali (Arabic: البرج الشمالي) is a municipality located some 86 km south of Beirut and 3 km east of the Tyre/Sour peninsula, merging into its urban area. It is part of the Tyre Union of Municipalities within the Tyre District of the South Governorate of Lebanon.
Burj El Shimali
البرج الشمالي | |
|---|---|
Town | |
The Burj – "Tower" – of Burj El Shimali | |
Burj El Shimali | |
| Coordinates: 33°15′47″N 35°14′20″E | |
| Country | Lebanon |
| Governorate | South Governorate |
| District | Tyre District |
| Municipality | Tyre |
| Area | |
| • Town | 1,069 ha (2,642 acres) |
| • Urban | 6.8 km2 (2.6 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 62 m (203 ft) |
| Population (2016) | |
| • Town | 61,973 |
| Time zone | EET |
It is particularly known for hosting the second-largest of the twelve Palestinian refugee camps in the country as a de facto autonomous exclave effectively out of the reach of Lebanese officials: The camp is ruled by Popular Committees of Palestinian parties under the leadership of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) which is de facto recognised by the municipality through some degree of coordination and cooperation. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has the mandate to provide basic services, assisted by local and international NGOs. The Lebanese Armed Forces control entry and exit through the camp's main gate.