Overview
The Northern Borders region lies in the far north, bordered by Iraq and Jordan to the north, the Eastern Province to the south, Al-Qassim and Hail to the south-west and Al-Jawf to the west. Arar is its capital; it covers about 104,000 km². [1]
Administration
Formed in 1992, the region has among the fewest governorates: besides Arar it includes Rafha, Turaif and Al-Uwayqilah, along with several administrative centres. [1]
History
The region's importance comes from its position linking the Kingdom to the outside world, its water and grazing stations on the Darb Zubaydah pilgrim road and its ancient villages of Linah, Zubala, Luqah and Duqrah. More than seventy years ago it hosted stations on the Tapline oil export pipeline, around which an urban community grew in the desert. [1]
Related people
- PersonMohammed AbdoMohammed Abdo is a Saudi singer and composer from Ad-Darb Governorate in the Jazan Region, known as the “Artist of the Arabs”. He began singing in the 1960s and received the Cultural Personality of the Year award in 2025.
- PersonAbbadi Al-JoharAbbadi Al-Johar is a Saudi singer and oud player who took part in official national and cultural events in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, among them his performance of the operetta 'Land of Love and Peace' at the opening ceremony of the twenty-second National Festival for Heritage and Culture (Janadriyah) in 1428 AH/2007, and his attendance at festivals of the Music Commission, the General Entertainment Authority and the Ministry of Culture.
- PersonRabah SaqrRabah Saqr is a Saudi artist who composed and performed national operettas at the National Festival for Heritage and Culture and performed evenings and singing concerts in official and seasonal events within the Kingdom. His documented contributions extend from 1421 AH to 2023 CE.
- PersonImam Muhammad bin Abdul WahhabImam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab was a Saudi reformer who lived and taught in Diriyah and called for the oneness of God and a return to what the Prophet, peace be upon him, brought; his call became tied to the Saudi family, and from Diriyah the influence of the First Saudi State spread.
- PersonPrince Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al SaudPrince Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was one of the sons of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. He served as Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, and the Royal Court announced his death on Thursday 19 Shawwal 1438 AH, corresponding to 13 July 2017 CE.
Mining
The region is a centre of the Kingdom's mining industry, with Waad Al-Shamal, a city built for mineral processing, and the Al-Jalamid phosphate mine. The North railway links its mines to the Kingdom's ports. [1]
Nature and climate
The climate is continental, hot in summer and very cold in winter, sometimes below freezing in January and February, with occasional snow on high ground. The region is a bird habitat and a destination for falconry, with reserves including Mu'ayla, Al-Uwaysi and Al-Ghurabah. [1]
Tourism and nature
Services
The region has Northern Border University, based in Arar, and airports at Arar and Rafha. [1]
Related topics
- HistoricDarb ZubaydahThe Kufa pilgrimage road linking Iraq to Makkah through five Saudi regions, used since before Islam and named after the spring dug by Zubaydah bint Ja'far.
- HistoricThe Great Nafud DesertThe Great Nafud Desert is a vast sand sea in the north of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, covering about 65,000 km², or nearly 3.2% of the Kingdom's land area, with wide parts lying within the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve. It contains a diversity of dune forms and notable landmarks such as Jabal Al-Ulaym and Nafud Al-Ashyakh.
- HistoricKing Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Nature ReserveKing Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve is a royal nature reserve in the northwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the largest reserve in the Middle East, with a total area of 130,700 square kilometres extending across four administrative regions. It contains broad biodiversity and rock art sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- HistoricFalconryFalconry is an intangible cultural heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO since 2010. It receives official attention through the Saudi Falcons Club and the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, the largest gathering of falcons in the world, along with the International Falcon Breeders Auction and the AlUla Falcons Cup.
- HistoricHarrat Al-Harrah ReserveHarrat Al-Harrah Reserve is a high-conservation natural area in northwestern Saudi Arabia, extending across the Northern Borders and Al-Jawf regions within the boundaries of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve. It features a volcanic plateau and plant and wildlife diversity, and is the first reserve established by the Saudi Wildlife Authority.
- HistoricAl-Sadu WeavingAl-Sadu is a handweaving craft based on weaving threads of camel hair, goat hair and sheep wool. It is known among the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who used it to make hair houses, carpets, daily necessities and tribal clothing, and its weaving was registered on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage at UNESCO.
- HistoricAl-DahhaAl-Dahha is a performing art and folk heritage particular to the northern regions of Saudi Arabia, performed collectively in one or two facing rows in which the poet Al-Badda' sings, and closed with the dance of Al-Hashi. Al-Dahha features prominently in national festivals, social occasions and weddings.
- HistoricArabian OryxThe Arabian Oryx, also known as the wadhi oryx, is a species of wild mammal and the largest wild mammal in the Arabian Peninsula. It was absent from its natural habitat in northern Saudi Arabia for about ninety years, then was resettled in protected reserves and released in Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve.
- HistoricArabian WolfThe Arabian wolf is a wild predatory mammal among the mammals of Saudi Arabia and one of the most prominent species within the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, where it plays a role in preserving ecological balance and enhancing biodiversity. Protection efforts include reintroducing endangered wild species into their natural habitats and monitoring the pure Al-Ra'an wolf lineage in the Northern Borders region.
- RegionSakaka CitySakaka City is a Saudi city in Al-Jouf region, home to the archaeological landmarks of Za'bal Castle and Sisra Well, alongside service and development projects and seasonal festivals.
- HistoricMigratory Birds in Saudi ArabiaMigratory Birds in Saudi Arabia are a recurring seasonal phenomenon in which numbers of birds cross the Kingdom's territory along fixed routes between their habitats in the Northern Hemisphere and the African continent. The Kingdom is a passage and a safe habitat for them thanks to its strategic geographic location and its area of more than two million km², with reserves and coastal environments that receive resident and migratory species.
- 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.
- HistoricGhada TreeThe Ghada tree is a desert plant and one of the most famous plants of the deserts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; it reaches a height of 4 metres and its roots extend for tens of metres until they reach water. It spreads from the Rub' al Khali desert in the south to the northern edge of the An-Nafud desert, it stabilises sand dunes, and Al-Ghada Park in Unaizah Governorate holds the largest botanical garden in the world of Ghada trees.
- 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.
- HistoricAl-Hamad DesertAl-Hamad Desert is a desert area in the Northern Borders Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, close to the city of Arar and Al-Uwayqilah Governorate. It is one of the most prominent stations crossed by migratory falcons during the al-Maqnas season, which begins in October each year.