Djebel

Djebel is an Arabic noun meaning "mountain" or "hill." It is widely used in toponyms across the Arab world, especially in North Africa, to designate mountains or elevated terrain. In English-language texts the name is commonly anglicized as Djebel, Jebel, or Djebel, reflecting different transliteration systems and historical influence.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from the Classical Arabic jabal (جَبَل), with the plural form jibal (جبال). As a toponymic element, Djebel is typically combined with another word to name a specific peak or massif. This pattern is evident in several well-known mountains, such as Jebel Toubkal, the main peak of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco; Jebel Musa, the southern pillar of the Strait of Gibraltar; and Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams, prominent peaks in Oman. In many Maghreb countries, Djebel is a common component in mountain names and can also appear in the names of districts or notable landscape features, signaling a local landmark.

Notes: Djebel as a generic descriptor means the same feature could be known by different full names in local languages. The variant spellings Jebel or Djebel are often used interchangeably in maps, guidebooks, and academic references, depending on colonial and linguistic tradition.