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Jebel

Jebel is an Arabic term meaning mountain or hill, commonly used in place names across the Arab world and surrounding regions. In English-language texts, it is often transliterated as Jebel or Jabal, with variations such as Djebel reflecting different colonial or linguistic influences. In Arabic, the word is الجبل (al-jabal), with the definite article commonly attached in toponyms.

As a toponymic element, Jebel serves as a descriptor rather than a standalone geographic unit. When combined

Geographic and cultural significance varies by location. Mountains named with Jebel can be focal points for

with
a
specific
name,
it
identifies
a
particular
mountain
or
high
terrain
feature.
The
prefix
appears
in
many
prominent
mountains
and
ranges
in
North
Africa,
the
Arabian
Peninsula,
and
parts
of
the
Horn
of
Africa,
where
Arabic
influence
or
language
presence
is
strong.
Examples
include
Jebel
Musa
(the
southern
Pillar
of
Hercules
in
the
Strait
of
Gibraltar
region),
Jebel
Toubkal
(the
highest
peak
in
the
Atlas
Mountains
of
Morocco),
Jebel
Shams
and
Jebel
Akhdar
in
Oman,
and
Jebel
Marra
in
Sudan.
Other
well-known
uses
include
Jebel
Nafusa
(Libya),
and
various
hill
or
mountain
names
across
Egypt,
Algeria,
Tunisia,
and
neighboring
areas.
local
climates,
ecosystems,
and
historical
routes,
as
well
as
for
cultural
or
religious
associations.
The
term’s
continued
use
in
modern
toponymy
reflects
both
linguistic
heritage
and
the
prominent
role
of
mountains
in
many
Arab-speaking
regions.