Abha

Riyadh is the capital of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and also its largest city. Situated right in the center of the Arabian Peninsula, it is home to around 20% of the nation's population. This desert city is located in a highly arid area and receives very little rain. Around 467 km of pipes are utilized to bring huge volumes of water from Persian Gulf. A glance at the history of Riyadh will show you that the settlement was famous in history for its dates and orchards. If you are interested in Riyadh tourism, you are on for an adventurous tour through colorful lands. In the city you can also venture further to other popular destinations near Riyadh, such as Mecca, Abha, Dhahran and so on.

Abha near Riyadh is the capital of Asir province with a population of around two hundred thousand according to the 2004 census. Located in the fertile mountains of south western Saudi Arabia, Abha stands at 2200 meters above sea level. Close to this city is the National Park of Asir, to which you may pay a visit. The mild climate here makes it a favorable destination for tourists.

In Abha you can know the colorful people of this Middle Eastern land and browse through their eventful and exotic history and cultures. The homes here are hand-built of stone and mud. Some homes are over 300 years old and still inhabited. The structure of the houses is pyramid like with slight graduation from one level to another. In the well known marketplace you can find local specialty items like ornate silver Bedouin jewelry or hand woven baskets.

The elevation of Abha causes this region to receive some rainfall. Sometimes there are heavy rains and the neighboring villages and rural areas are witnesses of winter flash-floods. In summer the weather is fresh and attracts a lot of visitors. Abha administration is working on programs to promote national tourism. For this reason the Abha Festival has been created and takes place during summer. Abha also has extensive medical and educational facilities. Being the capital of the province it is home to the governorate of Asir. A visit to this place is a lifetime experience. So just pack your bags and roll out for an adventurous vacation.