Zaitoun is one of Kessrouan district’s villages that have a great number of Maronite inhabitants. However, this village is not Maronite as its population is semi-equally distributed between the Shia’a and Maronite sects. 

Etymology
The village was named Zaitoun because ever since the Ottoman era it has been rich with olive trees. Traces of ancient olive oil presses have been found throughout the village and are still visible today.

Location
Zaitoun village is located in Kessrouan district. It is just 45 km from the capital Beirut, stretching over an area of 268 hectares, at an altitude of 600 m2 above sea level.  It is bordered to the north by Maaysra and Zaitreh, to the east by Aazra, to the south by Nammoura, Kfar Jrayf and Ghidras, and to the west by Aaqaybeh.  

It can be reached by taking the Jounieh-Ghazir road, Jouret El-Termos. 

Population and Housing
The estimated number of registered residents is about 1,000, of which 57% are Shia’a and 43% are Maronites. Zaitoun village is composed of around 350 houses.

Voters
In the 2000 parliamentary elections, the number of registered voters was 418, of which only 291 were real voters. It rose to 497 voters in the 2009 elections with 408 real voters, and reached 535 in the 2016 municipal elections when just 437 voted.  

Voters are mainly distributed among the following families:
Shia’a:
    Ahmad: 137 voters
    Daibes: 63 voters
    Hellani: 35 voters
    Hassan: 30 voters
    Haidar: 29 voters

Maronite:
    Fahed: 146 voters
    Khairallah: 60 voters
    Efrem: 35 voters

Local Authorities
Zaitoun village has a 9-member municipal council that was established February 17, 2004, thanks to resolution No. 153. The village also has a mayor and a 3-member mayoral council.   

Economic Life
Today, the economic life of residents is agriculture-based. Historically, silkworm rearing was the key source of income. 

Zaitoun in History
Zaitoun is known to have hosted Hamadi Shia’a chieftains. When the newcomer Maronite Fahed and Khairallah families appeared, the Hamadi Shia’a cooperated with them.