Ain Alak is located in the Matn district of Mount Lebanon, at approximately 650 meters above sea level, 22 km from Beirut, and bordered by Bhersaf to the east, Cornet Chehwan to the west, Beit Chabab to the north, and by Bhanis to the south. Ain Alak was previously part of the Kisrwan district.
Linguistic experts claim the origin name is Ain El-Oula (eye of greatness) due to its higher location than neighboring villages. However, ancient dictionaries, particularly Syriac, trace “Ain Alak” to a Sumerian and then Aramaic origin: Ain means the watchful eye, and Alak is to confront invaders and attackers with hands and white weapons.