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Title: The Heart of Saudi Arabia

Research · May 2022

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Eithar Yankesar Alaa Z. Qadeeb Al-Ban

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Running head: THE HEART OF SAUDI ARABIA
1

Interior Design Department

Spring 2022
Name: Eithar A Yankesar
DAHU ID #1710105
Course title: Saudi Heritage
Faculty: Dr. Alaa Al-Ban TA: Ms. Reem Alzahrani
Course number: IDSG 3306
Assignment: Research – Regions in Saudi Arabia
Title: The Heart of Saudi Arabia
THE HEART OF SAUDI ARABIA 2

Table of Contents

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................4

Overview ..........................................................................................................................................4

The climate.......................................................................................................................................5

History..............................................................................................................................................5

Flag of the Kingdom ........................................................................................................................6

The thirteen provinces of Saudi Arabia .........................................................................................10

The five major regions of Saudi Arabia .........................................................................................10

Conclusion .....................................................................................................................................13

Work Cited .....................................................................................................................................14

THE HEART OF SAUDI ARABIA 3

List of figures

Figure 1.1 Saudi Arabia Flag ...........................................................................................................7

Figure 1.2 Saudi Arabia Provinces ..................................................................................................8

Figure 1.3 Ad Diriyah ....................................................................................................................11

Figure 1.4 Al-Khawa .....................................................................................................................13

Figure 1.5 Al-Liwan.......................................................................................................................13

THE HEART OF SAUDI ARABIA 4

The Heart of Saudi Arabia

This research provides an overview of Saudi Arabia's identity and historical changes before it

was utterly unified. Also, it discusses the thirteen provinces with their distinct features and how

these regions were divided by King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud into regional entities. Thus, the

paper will examine the five major regions that are typically known today and then explore

comprehensive data about the central region of Saudi Arabia in light of identifying geographical,

historical, and cultural elements.

Overview

The Arabian Peninsula had a significant human influence on creating the most numerous

dynasties among its ancient inhabitants due to its location in the ancient Near East. Notably,

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula, bordered to the west by the Red

Sea, and eastern by the Persian Gulf. There are 34.81 million people (2020), and Riyadh is its

capital. It is distinguished from other countries by being the cradle of Islamic civilization, source

of divine messages, and cultural and historical events. Saudi Arabia currently enjoys several

advantages that make it one of the best countries in the world in terms of the health and

education sector and significant technological advancements that have contributed to the

establishment of the state and improved the lives of individuals. Nonetheless, there were several

periods in the history of Saudi Arabia, none of which was the best historical period, as the

differences between the first and second Saudi governments could be arbitrarily compared.
THE HEART OF SAUDI ARABIA 5

The climate

The diversity of the surface aspects of the Kingdom has a significant impact on its

climate. Consequently, the climate varies according to the terrain, as the temperature, pressure,

wind direction, and rainfall are directly affected by the altitude from the earth's surface. The

climate is also characterized by high temperatures, especially in the summer, while the

temperature drops in winter.

History

Saudi Arabia was founded by Mohammed bin Saud on the Arabian Peninsula following

the agreement with Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab in 1744 AD, 1157 of immigration. As

a result of that agreement, a significant political unit was formed on the Arabian Peninsula from

many minor political divisions in the Najd region. Afterward, this state remained in place until

Ibrahim Pasha, the governor of Egypt, managed to overthrow it after seizing its capital Diriyah in

1233 AH / 1818, leaving it in an unpleasant state at the time. It played a significant role in

various aspects of life on the Arabian Peninsula, politically, economically, socially, and

culturally.

The second Saudi state was formed by Turki bin Abdullah after the fall of the first state,

so it grew again in its second phase, which lasted from 1818 AD until 1891 AD. During that

phase, the territory was less expanded, and religious zeal decreased, but Saudi leaders still called

themselves Imams, and Wahhabi religious scholars were employed. Therefore, Turki bin

Abdullah was able to take Riyadh as the capital of his Kingdom instead of Diriyah, which had

limited expansion, unlike its predecessor. However, internal conflicts weakened its strength, as
THE HEART OF SAUDI ARABIA 6

differences between the sons of Imam Faisal bin Turki led to the fall of the state in 1309 AH, the

year 1891 AD.

After being exiled from Najd, the Al Saud family moved to Qatar, Bahrain, and their lat

stop Kuwait. They benefited greatly from their time in Kuwait; from there, they began a series of

political and non-political movements to restore the rule they lost. Subsequently, King Abdulaziz

Al Saud set off on the journey to establish the third Saudi state on the fifteenth day of January

1902, corresponding to Shawwal 5, 1319 AH, to regain the city of Riyadh and control its rule.

He made every effort during this period to recover the territories and unify them under the

banner of his rule. Moreover, in 1932 AD King Abdulaziz Al Saud succeeded in uniting all the

regions and restoring Riyadh's rule. In response, he issued a royal decree to unify Najd, Hejaz,

and all the neighboring provinces under the name Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. From this point on,

the history of the Kingdom began a new era, full of achievements toward stability. Since then,

the citizens of the Kingdom have been keen to celebrate this day and call it National Day.

Flag of the Kingdom

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's flag is rectangular, and its length is two-thirds. It has a

green background with the Islamic testimony (Shahada) written in a calligraphic form known as

'tholuth' in Arabic. An Arab sword also accompanies its handle, pointing toward the flag's mast.

In respect of the Shahada written on the flag, the Saudi Arabian flag must not be hung half-mast

or touch the ground or water.

THE HEART OF SAUDI ARABIA 7

Figure 1.1 Saudi Arabia Flag (Retrieved on 3 February 2022)

The thirteen provinces of Saudi Arabia

Following the unification of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom was divided into six

administrative-territorial entities: Eastern, Central, Northern, Northwest, Midwest, and

Southwest. Each region is divided into many governorates and has its unique charm.

Consequently, King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued a Region System, splitting the Kingdom

into 13 provinces, 46 cities, of which 20 are major cities.

These regions are made up of 13 provinces: Riyadh Province, Makkah Province, Eastern

Province, Madinah Province, Al Baha Province, Al Jawf Province, Northern Borders Province,

Qassim Province, Ha’il Province, Tabuk Province, Aseer Province, Jizan Province, and Najran

Province.
THE HEART OF SAUDI ARABIA 8

Figure 1.2 Saudi Arabia Provinces (Retrieved on 3 February 2022)

The Eastern Province is the largest of the 13 provinces, but it also boasts two of its most

iconic features: the world's largest dune desert, Rub' Al-Khali, and the world's largest oil field,

Ghawar. Moreover, Riyadh province is the second-largest region in terms of area and population

of all the provinces. Because of its geographical, historical, political, and economic significance

is considered the Kingdom's central region. Similarly, Makkah and Madinah are the most

populous provinces since it has been well known to be a site of worship and pilgrimage in the

Arabian Peninsula from ancient times. Makkah is the birthplace of Islam while Madinah

Province encompasses all that Saudi Arabia has to offer: a spiritual destination with the Holy

City of Madinah, which is the second holiest site in Islam; the vibrant history of Madden Saleh,

which was the first Saudi Arabian site to be listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list; and of

course, sublime natural landscapes with the sandstone formations of the Al-Ula Region.
THE HEART OF SAUDI ARABIA 9

Furthermore, Al Jawf Region has a crucial role in the history of the Arabian Peninsula

and the ancient Near East as a zone where Mediterranean and Asian cultures came into contact.

In addition, the Hail region enclosed Jabal al-Samra in the north of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, it

has been home to many Arab pilgrims, making it a cultural and economic crossroads between the

Levant and Iraq. Nevertheless, Qassim is famous for its rich agriculture and vibrant traditional

heritage reflected in the architecture and celebrated in its numerous festivals (Egal, 2016). Also,

Tabuk Province is known for its ancient rock art, an ancient oasis along the frankincense trade

road, prophetic stories, epic battles, and pilgrimage roads. Besides, Aseer is one of the provinces

of Saudi Arabia that is crossed by the Sarawat mountains. It does not only host the most southern

part but also has the highest point, Jebel Sawdah. Thus, its location on a high plateau ensures a

cooler and more humid climate than Central Arabia. Aseer Province is also a great coffee, wheat,

and honey producer and has preserved its agricultural traditions. At the same time, Najran

Region is considered a land between two worlds. Because in addition to the green mountain

ranges in the neighboring province of Aseer, it also hosts the southwestern aspects of one of the

driest deserts in the world, the Rub' Al-Khali.

In contrast, Al-Bahah and Jizan are the two smallest provinces in Saudi Arabia, and they

are also the only ones without desert dunes. Jizan Province is a unique dream place in the

Kingdom; it is exceptional from all other regions. It is all about tall green mountains, the deep

blue sea, pristine beaches, and Virgin Islands. Simultaneously Al-Bahah (Greenland) has a

landscape that breaks Saudi Arabia's stereotypes, often seen as an endless dunes desert. It doesn't

offer just one, but several distinct kinds of landscape. Finally, North Borders Province has been

on the frontline of conflicts since 1991, during the Iraqi wars of 2003, and more recently during

the fight against Daesh in Iraq, it is not conducive to tourism.

THE HEART OF SAUDI ARABIA 10

The five major regions of Saudi Arabia

Nowadays, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is divided into five prominent regions,

according to its geographical location: Eastern, Western, Central, Northern, and Southern

regions. Each region has its own architectural style, construction technique, and materials, which

give it its charm and identity.

The Central region – Najd

The central region or the 'Najd' is the second-largest region by both area and population,

respectively, after the Eastern Province and Mecca Region. It covers an area of 404,240 km2

(156,080 sq mi) and with a 2017 population of 8,216,284. It is one of the most critical regions in

the Kingdom since it covers a large area and includes large parts of the Riyadh, Hail, and Al-

Qassim provinces. The Najd region is located in the middle of the Arabian Peninsula,

particularly between Hejaz, located in the west, and the Al-Dahna desert, in the east. Therefore,

the unique topography and location of the region led to distinct lifestyles that shaped the lives

and culture of its people.

Additionally, it is characterized as one of the regions that Europeans did not colonize, as

in the Gulf and the Arabian Sea regions; it is a geographically isolated region, surrounded by

sandy deserts and the Hijaz Mountains. Also, the region hosts some of the most important

historical, cultural, and tourist attractions in the Kingdom. In particular, Riyadh offers the

opportunity to explore ancient palaces and castles and climb to the top of the third tallest

building in the world with a hole in it. While Diriyah, which was the site of the first Saudi state,

is one of the most famous sights on the UNESCO World Heritage List in the Kingdom.
THE HEART OF SAUDI ARABIA 11

Furthermore, the town of Al-Qasab is one of the oldest cities surrounding Riyadh. It contains

many tourists places, including "Al-Obaidi Market," the oldest and largest market in Najd. It is

situated about 160 km from the capital and welcomes visitors from all over the world. As one of

the symbols of the Najd region in Saudi Arabia, the Tuwaiq mountain range is one of the most

famous highlands in the middle of the Arabian Peninsula, and Mount Tuwaiq is the main

structure of the Yamama region.

Figure 1.3 Ad Diriyah (Retrieved on 6 February 2022)

Most of the Najd's population lives in cities and villages. It is concentrated in Al-Kharj

Al-Arid, Al-Mahmal, Al-Washam, Sudair, Al-Qassim, Hail, Al-Aflaj, Al-Zulfi, and nomads

living in the desert. However, before 1932, it is most likely that there were not more than one

million people at most at that time, perhaps equally divided between Bedouins and city dwellers.
THE HEART OF SAUDI ARABIA 12

The vast majority of the Najd desert has been urbanized in the desert areas set up for their

settlement and spread throughout the country.

One of the most attractive features of old Saudi Arabian buildings built with mud is their

harmonious relationship with the environment and nature. Therefore, Najd architecture is based

on two main components: mud and tamarisk tree. The clay is obtained from the valley edges, and

then the house is constructed by the architect. He begins planning the land and makes the initial

foundations for the place to be built according to users' desires. Thus, mud construction is most

suitable for desert areas, and continental climates where the sun is hot and little rain falls because

it keeps the place cool in summer and warm in winter. The Najdi House contains a special

interior arrangement that distributes the functions related to cultural practices. First, (Al-Khawa)

is a room typically used to meet guests, so it is often decorated and beautified. Second, the area

of (Al-Liwan) is adjacent to (Al-Khawa), preferably from the north, where the air blows, and is

used as a sitting area in the summer. In addition, (Al-Qubba) serves as a place for family

gatherings eating, and it is close to the kitchen and has a door on the side of the courtyard. The

doors are made of tamarisk wood to provide extra strength and resistance to climatic conditions,

and in Najd cities, they usually decorate and color them. They also decorate the interior walls

with traditional patterns, but Al-Khawa is the most beautifully decorated area to make guests feel

welcomed.
THE HEART OF SAUDI ARABIA 13

Figure 1.4 Al-Khawa (Retrieved on 7 February 2022)

Figure 1.5 Al-Liwan (Retrieved on 7 February 2022)

In conclusion, the Najd region is distinguished by its geographical location in Saudi Arabia

and its many tourist attractions, making it remarkable. Najd has a unique and rich culture

reflected in its architectural style and materials.

 THE HEART OF SAUDI ARABIA 14

Work Cited

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https://www.al-jazirah.com/2016/20160327/wo1.htm

Egal, F. (2016). The Saudi Arabia Provinces. Saudiarabiatourismguide.com. Retrieved February

4, 2022, from https://www.saudiarabiatourismguide.com/provinces/

Hyland, G. (1995). Dir'Aiyah: A Photographer's study. Garth Hyland.

Surror, H. (2021). ‫ حياتك‬- ‫أين تقع نجد في السعودية‬. hyatoky. Retrieved February 8, 2022, from

https://hyatok.com/%D8%A3%D9%8A%D9%86_%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B9_%D9%86%D

8%AC%D8%AF_%D9%81%D9%8A_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%

AF%D9%8A%D8%A9

Tawfeeq, R. (2021). ‫ المرسال‬.‫بماذا تتميز المملكة العربية السعودية عن بلدان العالم‬. Retrieved February 7,

2022, from https://www.almrsal.com/post/1076915

Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, November 21). Subdivisions of saudi arabia. Wikipedia.

Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subdivisions_of_Saudi_Arabia

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