Overview
Najran lies in the south-west, bordered by the Eastern Province to the north and north-east, Riyadh to the north, Asir to the west and Yemen to the south. It covers about 130,000 km². [1]
Administration
The region has six governorates besides the city of Najran and 65 centres. The governorates are Sharurah, Hubuna, Badr Al-Janub, Yadamah, Thar and Khabash. [1]
History
Najran is among the oldest places of human settlement in Arabia, as shown by the rock art of Hima and the archaeological site of Al-Ukhdud. [1]
Related people
World Heritage and architecture
The Hima Cultural Area was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1442 AH/2021 CE; its rock art depicts hunting and ways of life. [1][2]
The region's architecture reflects its long history in historic villages, palaces and forts, including the historic Emirate Palace founded in 1363 AH/1944 CE, and earthen houses and towers. [1]
Historic sites and museums
Economy and farming
The economy rests on trade, mining and industry, with a copper and zinc mine in Thar and an industrial city in Hubuna. Although the Rub al Khali covers its central and eastern parts, the region is fertile farmland and an important source of citrus, and Wadi Najran divides the capital in two. [1]
Tourism and nature
- NatureRub al KhaliThe world's largest continuous sand sea, covering the Kingdom's south-east across the Eastern Province, Riyadh and Najran, named the 'Empty Quarter' for its lack of permanent settlement.
- NatureSarawat MountainsThe Kingdom's highest mountain range, running from the Yemeni border to north of Taif, with its highest peaks such as Al-Sawda and its richest land biodiversity.
Related topics
- EventQaryat al-FawQaryat al-Faw is an archaeological site in Wadi ad-Dawasir Governorate, south of the Riyadh Region, also known as Dhat Kahil, and served as the capital of the Kingdom of Kindah from the fourth century BCE until the early fourth century CE. The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2024.
- EventAl-AkhdoodAl-Akhdood is an archaeological site in the Najran Region of south-western Saudi Arabia. It represents the ancient city of Najran and its commercial market on the caravan route, is associated with the story of the Companions of the Trench mentioned in the Holy Quran, and today stands as a living open-air museum welcoming visitors.
- EventIncense Trade RouteThe Incense Trade Route is a trade artery established by the caravans from the south of the Arabian Peninsula between Makkah and Madinah, on to the Levant to the north and Al-Ahsa and Bahrain to the east. Stations along its course include Qaryat al-Faw, AlUla and the Hegra site, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is reviving this legacy today through cultural and tourism projects.
- RegionNajran CityNajran City is a Saudi city in the southwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the banks of Wadi Najran. It contains the Hima Cultural Area inscribed on the World Heritage List, the Al-Ukhdood archaeological site, and the Wadi Najran Dam, the largest dam in the Kingdom.
- HistoricSaudi HoneySaudi honey is the product of apiaries spread across the regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its yield varies between grazing ranges depending on the abundance of blossoms and their flowering periods. It receives official attention in licensing, training, marketing, and the organisation of production seasons and festivals.
- EventKingdom of KindaThe Kingdom of Kinda was an ancient Arabian entity built on a federal organisation of Arabian desert tribes, with the archaeological city of Qaryat al-Faw in Wadi ad-Dawasir Governorate as its capital. The Cultural Landscape of the Al-Faw Archaeological Area was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2024 CE, and it is managed by the Heritage Commission of the Ministry of Culture and the National Centre for Wildlife.
- HistoricJareeshJareesh is a traditional Saudi dish designated by the Culinary Arts Commission the national dish of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 11 January 2023, and it is known as 'the master of dishes'. It is popular across the regions of the Kingdom and is served on various social occasions as one of the most important traditional Saudi dishes.