Asir Region

Asir lies in the south-west of the Kingdom, bordered by Najran to the east, Jazan and part of Yemen to the south, Makkah and Al-Bahah to the north and Riyadh to the north-east, with the Red Sea to the west. It was formed in 1412 AH/1992 CE, covers about 80,000 km², and Abha is its capital. [1]

The region has 18 governorates and 128 centres besides Abha; Khamis Mushait has the largest share of its population. The governorates are Khamis Mushait, Bisha, An-Namas, Muhayil, Tathlith, Rijal Alma, Dhahran Al-Janub, Sarat Abidah, Ahad Rufaidah, Balqarn, Al-Majardah, Tanomah, Tarib, Bariq, Al-Birk, Al-Harajah, Al-Amwah and Al-Farshah. [1]

Asir is a mountainous region with about 29% of the Kingdom's mountains and its twelve highest peaks, the highest being Jabal Al-Sawda west of Abha. Its name is thought to refer to its difficult passes; its Red Sea frontage includes Rijal Alma, Muhayil and Al-Birk. [1]

Winters are relatively cold and summers mild, and monsoon winds bring frequent rain, heavier in the highlands. [1]

Heritage remains visible in the painted decoration of buildings and household objects; the Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art was added to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. Traditional dress still favours black and red. [1]

The region has thousands of historic villages, including Al-Muftaha west of Abha, now a visitor attraction with the King Fahd Cultural Centre, and Rijal Alma about 45 km from Abha, whose tightly packed palaces rise up to six storeys, faced with white quartz and decorated inside with Al-Qatt Al-Asiri. [1]