Trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

Trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

By: Murtadha AlRuwaiiDec 2009

Introduction

If you would like to look at the world’s deep past, take your mind will to one of the famous old countries which is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is the largest country of the Arabian Peninsula.

Introduction

The habitual landmarks and antiquities of Saudi Arabia prove that this great country has a rich history. Many civilizations have lived in what is now known as Saudi Arabia. One of the most famous of these civilizations is the Islamic civilization. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has different landforms such as deserts, oases , mountains, hills, and coasts.

Introduction

Its rich history, different landforms, and diverse climate make every region of Saudi Arabia have its own private culture. For example, some differences include the social life (like weddings), dialect, traditional food & jobs, clothing, and dances in each area. Also, the shape of traditional houses in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia is different from traditional houses in the Southern Province. To understand these cultures, we should look at everything in the important Saudi cities closely.

Saudi Arabia ProvincesThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has an estimated population of 28.7 million, and its size is approximately 2,150,000 square kilometers (830,000 sq mi).

This beautiful land is divided into 13 provinces. The provinces are Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Eastern, Asir, Al-Baha, Tabuk, Qassim, Hail, Jouf, Northern Borders, Jizan, and Najran.

Saudi Arabia Provinces

To discuss and understand the significant cites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-KSA, we should classify these cities on the basis of their locations and their direction in map of KSA.

Central Sector

• The important cities in the Central Sector – Nejd are:

• Riyadh. • Al-Qassim.• Hail.

Central Sector - Nejd

1- Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia.

Kingdom TowerTelevision Tower

Central Sector - Nejd

1- Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia.

Al Masmak Castle Al Janadnyah Cultural FestivalRiyadh's Camel Market

Central Sector - Nejd

2- Al-Qassim is in the center of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Lake Ausheziyyah

Central Sector

3- Hail has a mixture of mountains, valleys and sandy deserts.

Maha'jah Rock Camping

Western Sector - Hejaz

• The important cities in the Western Sector – Hejaz are:

• Mecca or Makkah al-Mukarramah.• Medina al-Munawwarah.• Jeddah.• Taif.

Western Sector - Hejaz

1- Makkah is the holiest meeting site of the Islamic religion. non-Muslims can not enter to this holy city.

Western Sector - Hejaz

2- Medina is the second holiest city in Islam, and the burial place of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Western Sector - Hejaz

3- Jeddah is the largest city in this sector. It has the largest sea port on the Red Sea.

King Fahd's Fountain

The Museum of Abdul Raouf Hasan Khalil

Western Sector - Hejaz

3- Jeddah is the largest city in this sector. It has the largest sea port on the Red Sea.

Living Room

Western Sector - Hejaz

4- Taif is the center of an agricultural area known for its pomegranate, grapes and honey.

Shubra Palace

Eastern Sector

• The important places in the Eastern Sector are:

• Dammam. • Khobar.• Jubail.• Al-Ahsa.• Qatif.• Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter).

The Eastern Sector

1- Dammam is the largest city in the Eastern Sector and third largest in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh and Jeddah.

Eastern Sector

2- Khobar is a large modern city located on the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf ).

King Fahd Causeway

Eastern Sector

3- Jubail is the largest industrial complex of its kind in the world and consists of petrochemical plants, fertilizer plants, steel works, industrial ports and a huge number support industries.

Eastern Sector

4- Al-Ahsa is is a traditional oasis region in eastern Saudi Arabia.

ALQaraUqair

Eastern Sector5- Qatif is a historic, coastal oasis region located on the western shore of the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf ).

• Arabian Gulf

Thursday MarketFish MarketQatif Cornish

Eastern Sector

• Tarut is a historical Island and is the second longest island in the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf ) after the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Deerah Town

Dareen PortTarut Castle

Eastern Sector

6- Rub' al Khali is one of the largest sand deserts in the world.

Uromastyx

Northern Sector

• The important places in the Northern Sector are:

• Tabuk

• Al-Jouf

• Al-`Ula.

Northern Sector

1- Tabuk is identified with the land of Maydan and Dedan mentioned in the Bible and the Qur'an.

Deesah

Northern Sector

2- Al-Jouf is located in the north of the country, bordering Jordan.

Marid Castle Zabal Castle -1845

Northern Sector

3- Al-`Ula was the capital of the ancient Lihyanites (Dedanites)

Mada'in Saleh was once inhabited by the Nabataeans (1st century CE).

Southern Sector

• The important places in the Southern Sector are:

• Abha.

• Najran.

• Jizan or Gizan.

Southern Sector

1- Abha is positioned at some 7,200 feet (2,200 meters) above sea-level.

Southern Sector

2- The city of Najran dates back to 4000 years ago.

Najran Fort - 1942Al-Ukhdood

Southern Sector

3- Jizan is situated on the coast of the Red Sea and serves a large agricultural hinterland.

Farasan Islands

In Conclusion

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is great country to visit. There are a lot activities to do in Saudi Arabia such as seeing unique landscapes and antiquities, camping and hunting in the desert, walking and fishing on the beach, and learning about Saudi culture.

Tarut Island: The Geography, History, Antiquities, Landmarks, and Social Life

By: Murtadha AlRuwaii