Al-Ula is located in the northwestern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the line of 37, 55, 58 longitude and 26, 29, 36 latitude. It is 290 km. from Madinah to the south of Al Ula - Shajwa road. There is another 370 km. road linking Al-Ula to Madinah i.e. Madinah - Tabuk road passing through Khaibar. It is link to the western city of Hail via Hail � Al Ula road at 416 km. It is 250 km. away from Al-Wajh Governorate on the Red Sea coast and to the east by Al Ula � Al-Wajh � Beda road and 250 km. from Tabuk to the north via Tabuk-Al-Ula � Albrekah desert road and Tabuk � Jahra - Tayma road (470 km).
Al-Ula is famous for its fertile land, abundance of water resources and numerous farms. It is surrounded by mountains composed of sandy rocks to the East and West. The city is located between two mountains in a flat plain, which penetrated by the famous Al-Ula Valley or the so-called Arashidi stream. Arashidi valley is fed by small tributaries of the eastern and western mountain chains until it meet with Al Jazl - Al Kabeer Valley at a point called Khoshaibah, which in turn continue southwards until it reaches the point of convergence with Al-Hamad Valley and Wadi Khaibar at a place called Salilah. From there, it moves to the west until it ends at the Red Sea near Yanbu. Al-Ula mountains are considered natural extension of Asarawat chain of mountains extending from South to North of Saudi Arabia with length of more than 2,500 km.
Al-Ula is bordered from the West and behind Al-Ula sandy mountains by Ouerud, which is one of the largest natural mountains in Saudi Arabia with a width that differs from one place to another with an average of 40 km. and more than 200 km. long. Their elevation is almost 950 m. above sea level. This area is famous for its wild rabbits, deer, reindeers and migratory wild birds. Hunters frequently visit it in the specified seasons. Al-Ula is 22 km. to the south of Madain Saleh and linked them through three paved roads. Al-Ula and Madain Saleh are now fully connected to each other.
Al-Ula climate is moderate in comparison with different part of Saudi Arabia�s temperature. The average highest temperature during summer months is 43 degrees Celsius (September and August) and average lowest temperature degree in the winter months is 9 degrees Celsius (December and January). The average rate of annual rainfall is 254 mm. which can reach 64 / 24 mm. during the month of January. Average relative humidity rate ranges between 12% in June and 49.5% in December and January. Al-Ula is 825 m. above sea level. This elevation increases or decreases depending on the nature of land and valleys.
Al-Ula and Madain Saleh lies over large underground water reservoir, which is called geologically as Al-Ula basin where the layers of sedimentary rocks contains large amounts of fresh groundwater formed millions of geological years ago. The annual rainfalls on the region provide this reservoir with renewable water through the streams flowing in the main valley from the north towards the south. This valley slopes from the north to the south where it is fed by tributaries coming from the Eastern and Western mountains in Harral Al-Ouerud, from Madain Saleh in the north passing by Therbah, Shalal, Melsen, Atheeb, Saq, Telat Al-Hammad, Telat Al Mathbaha, Telat Abu Al Hasseen, Mesial Al-Khalos, Mesial Sadr and others. Al-Ula and Moghira meet at the valley over the village of Khoshaibah to the South with the Great Al-Jazl Valley.
Al-Ula terrain consists of sandy mountains bordering from the East such as Mount Almojder and Arezikea Mountains from the West. Each Al-Ula mountain has a corresponding name known among the local population. The flat plains between mountains are fertile agricultural area varying in width depending on the nature of the mountains and terrain.
Related Articles:
Dedan Kingdom
Leyhan Kingdom
Religion of Dedan
Economy in Dedan
Dedan�s Expansion in Arab Peninsula
Fall of Dedan and Lehyan Kingdoms
Al-Ula in the Islamic Era
Arabian Peninsula
Old Al-Ula
North Wall of the Town
Modern Al-Ula
History of Al-Ula
Al-Ula Village Governorate
The Northern and Northwestern Villages
Southern Villages
Population
Tribes, Clans and Families
Population Distribution
Latest Statistics in 2005
Agriculture in Al-Ula
Important Types of Dates
Tourist Attractions
Famous Tourist Sites
Main Gates of the Old Town
Important Personalities
|