Al-Ahsa Governorate

Al-Ahsa Governorate is a governorate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; the Al-Ahsa Oasis within it is the largest self-contained palm oasis in the world and contains more than 2.5 million palm trees.[1][5]

The oasis is distinguished by a unique geocultural landscape that embodies human interaction with the environment, and it was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2018 CE.[1] The governorate holds prominent religious, historical and natural landmarks, most notably Jawatha Mosque, the historic Ibrahim Palace and Al-Qarah Mountain.[2][3][4]

The Al-Ahsa Oasis lies in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula; it is bordered on the north by the Abqaiq area, on the east by the Arabian Gulf, on the west by the Ad-Dahna Desert and on the south by the Rub' al-Khali Desert.[1]

On this ground thrive well-watered palm plantations fed by a vast groundwater layer, interspersed with connected towns and farms, foremost among them the city of Hofuf.[1][5]

The Al-Ahsa Oasis was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018 CE, under criteria (iii)(iv)(v), with a recorded property area of 8,544 hectares and a buffer zone of 21,556 hectares.[1]

The oasis is composed of twelve components, making it the largest oasis in the world, with more than two and a half million palm trees, and it is a unique geocultural landscape and an exceptional example of human interaction with the environment.[1]

The historic Jawatha Mosque is the second mosque in Islam in which the Friday prayer was performed after the Friday Mosque, and it lies 20 kilometres north-east of the city of Hofuf.[2]

Banu Abdul Qays and their allies built the mosque at the beginning of the Islamic era, and it remains one of the oldest religious landmarks in the governorate.[2]

The historic Ibrahim Palace, known as Ibrahim Fort, was built in the city of Hofuf in 963 AH, corresponding to 1555 CE, and stands on an area of 16,500 square metres; it is one of the historic landmarks of Al-Ahsa.[3]

Its structure was renewed in 1216 AH, corresponding to 1801 CE, at the hands of Ibrahim bin Afisan, to whom some historians attribute the palace's name.[3]

Al-Ahsa came under the rule of King Abdulaziz Al Saud in 1331 AH, and another architectural style was added to Ibrahim Palace.[3]

Al-Qarah Mountain is one of the most prominent natural landmarks in Al-Ahsa Governorate, and it contains a main cave and tourist and recreational trails.[4]

The official website of the branch of the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage in Al-Ahsa, along with its mobile application, was launched in 2017 CE.[6]

On 11 January 2018 CE, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Emir of the Eastern Province, inaugurated the "Land of Civilizations" project at Al-Qarah Mountain, in the presence of His Highness Prince Badr bin Mohammed bin Jalawi, Governor of Al-Ahsa.[4]

Palm cultivation is the first agricultural pillar in Al-Ahsa, as the oasis contains more than 2.5 million palm trees fed by a vast groundwater layer across an area exceeding 85.4 square kilometres.[5]

In 2020 CE, the Al-Ahsa Oasis entered the Guinness World Records as the largest self-contained palm oasis in the world.[5]

Q: Where is the Al-Ahsa Oasis located? A: In the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered on the north by the Abqaiq area, on the east by the Arabian Gulf, on the west by the Ad-Dahna Desert and on the south by the Rub' al-Khali Desert.[1]

Q: When was Al-Ahsa inscribed on the World Heritage List? A: In 2018 CE, under criteria (iii)(iv)(v), with a recorded property area of 8,544 hectares and a buffer zone of 21,556 hectares.[1]

Q: What are the most prominent landmarks of Al-Ahsa Governorate? A: Jawatha Mosque, the historic Ibrahim Palace and Al-Qarah Mountain.[2][3][4]

Q: What makes Al-Ahsa the largest oasis in the world? A: The oasis contains more than 2.5 million palm trees and is composed of twelve components, and it entered the Guinness World Records as the largest self-contained palm oasis.[1][5]