The Beqaa Valley is also known as Bekaa, Biqå, or Becaa and in historic times, it used to be called Coele-Syria. It is a fertile valley in east of Lebanon and even though it receives little rain, it has been the country's most important farming region since Roman times.

Two rivers rivers flow through the valley. The Orontes (Asi) flows north into Syria and Turkey and the Litani flows south and then west into the Mediterranean Sea. The latter was dammed in 1957 for the production of hydroelectricity. Lake Qaraoun formed behind the dam and part of its water is used for irrigation.

The Beqaa Valley is divided into different districts. Overall, in the northern districts of Beqaa, Baalbek and Hermel, most inhabitants are Lebanese Shiites, while the western and southern districts have a mixed population of Muslims, Christians and Druze.

There are numerous towns and villages in the Beqaa valley. The largest city is Zahlé. It is on the main Beirut–Damascus highway, which cuts through the valley. Most residents in Zahlé are Melkite Greek Catholic, Maronite Catholic and Greek Orthodox Christians. There are many vineyards and orchards in the area around Zahlé.The inhabitants of Deir el Ahmar are also mostly Christians. Anjar is mostly Armenian Lebanese. It is known for its 8th-century Arab ruins. The town of Majdal Anjar has a Sunni Muslim majority. About halfway the valley is the town of Joub Janine, where municipal services of the western Beqaa are located.

Other towns in the Western Beqaa district are Machghara, Sabghine, Kamed al Lawz, Qabb Ilyas (Qab Elias), Sohmor and Yohmor. East of the Western Beqaa district is the town of Rachaiya al Wadi, which has a beautiful souk and a building known as the castle of independence.

Wars and unstable political and economic conditions in the past have caused many residents to leave the Beqaa Valley for the coast, or have emigrated abroad.

Some of the most interesting sites in the Beqaa Valley are:

• The Temple of Bacchus in Baalbek.
• The ancient Roman ruins of Baalbek.
• The Temples of the Beqaa Valley are various shrines and Roman temples.
• The Tomb of Khawla is said to be the shrine of Khawla, who was the daughter of Husayn ibn Ali.
• The Umayyad ruins of Anjar.
• Our Lady of Beqaa is a Marian shrine.
• The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bechouat.
• There is a Roman nymphaeum at Temnin el-Foka.
• The Phoenician ruins of Kamid al lawz.
• The Roman ruins of Libbaya.
• The Roman ruins of Qab Elias.
• The Pyramid tower of Hermel is at the northern end of the valley.
• The Tomb of Noah in Karak Nuh is a shrine dedicated to Noah.
• Lebanon's tallest minaret is located in Kherbet Rouha.
• The forementioned Lake Qaraoun is the largest artificial water reservoir in Lebanon.
• The Aammiq Wetland is a habitat for birds and butterflies.
• The Roman Grotto under Château Ksara winery.
• The Beqaa Valley is home to several vineyards and wineries. Wine has been produced in the region since at least 4000 BC.

The Beqaa lies between Mount Lebanon and the Anti-Lebanon mountains, some 30 km (19 mi) east of Beirut. It is 120 km (75 mi) long and averages 16 km (9.9 mi) in width.