Qaseem City Profile

Geography

Situated in central Saudi Arabia, north-west of Riyadh, the Al Qaseem region is bordered on the north by the Hayel region, on the east by Al Zulfi, on the south by the Al Washam region and on the west by the Al Madinah Al Munawarrah region. It has a total area of 80,000 square kilometers and a population of 1.5 million.

History

The history of Al Qassim region dates back to the 9th Hijri century. Due to its important location at the junction of major trade routes, the region witnessed a wide range of historical events. Many revolve round the Zubaidah route, which begins in Iraq and ending in Makkah Al Mukaramah; it has been used by Hajj caravans. Zubaidah; wife of the Caliph Haroon Al Rasheed, dug wells along this route to supply pilgrims with water.

Climate

The weather in Qassim is very hot in summer and rainy and cold in winter. During the summer months, temperatures range from 36 to 41 degrees Celsius. In winter, temperatures drop to an average 11 degrees Celsius.

Average rainfall is 100 mm per annum and the humidity is generally around 20%. When the wind blows, it blows from a north or northwest direction.

Districts & Regions

The important districts of Al-Qasim are Unayzah, ar-Rass, Al-Midhnab, and Al-Bukiriyyah. The land of Al-Qasim contains some very old Paleolithic sites, petroglyphs of deer, gazelles, ibexes and the north Arabian epigraphy. The ancient trade and pilgrimage route passed from the area coming from Kufa and Basra and hence it gained its fame during early Islamic period.

Buraidah

Buraydha is the capital city of the region from which passed Wadi Ar-Rummah. Buraidah is one of the Al Qaseem regions most important cites. It is the headquarters of the Governor, the Local Council, branches of governmental departments, a branch of King Saud University and a branch of Imam Mohammad bin Saud Islamic University in addition to a number of colleges and institutes. King Khaled Urban Center is one of Buraida's most important landmarks. It contains exhibits, museums and a special area for popular festivals.

The Prince Abdullah Sports City is also one of Buraidah's features. 160,000 square kilometers in area, it contains playgrounds and a football stadium with a capacity of 20,000 spectators. Buraidah's public park covers an area of 49,000 square kilometers. It has a swimming-pool, fountains, artificial water falls, children's playgrounds and rest places for visitors. Buraidah's three-storeyed water tower is one of the city's tourist and aesthetic landmarks. The top floor contains a 1,000 square-meter reception hall with a balcony overlooking the city from all directions. The tower is surrounded by a 45,000 square-meter green area.

Unayzah

Unaizah is the second largest city in the Al Qaseem region with a population of more than 120,000. It is famous for its date palms, libraries and agriculture. It possesses about 500,000 date palms and cultivates wheat orange, lemon, pomegranate, grapes and mandarin oranges. Unaizah's numerous libraries include the National library, the Al Salihiya Library, the Unaizah Cultural Club's Library, the Ibn Salih Cultural Center Library and the Women's Library.

Near Unaizah and in the middle of the desert there are several fish farms producing more than 1,000 tons of fish annually.

• Qasr Marid
  It is situated in Al-Asiyah (Ain ibn Fuhaid) and is a square shaped palace 45 m x 45 m in size. The outside walls are thick about 1.20 in width. Its construction style suggests that it was built during the early Abbasid period.
  
  
• Dariyah
  It is known as an ancient pre Islamic town. While in the early Islamic period it served as a major station for the pilgrims coming from Al-Basra to Makkah Al-Mukarramah.
  
  
• Darb Zubaydah
  It is the pilgrimage road running between Basra and Makkah Al-Mukarramah passing through Al-Qasim area. The important remains on this route in Al-Qasim area are Al-Hajir (Al-Ba'ayth) and Al-Jifiniyyah.
  
  
• Basra Pilgrimage Route
  This route passes from Al-Qasim area at an -Nibaj (Al-Asiyah) and continued until Dariyyah and goes onward to Al-Hejaz. There is another sub-road which reached to Al-'Uyun ('Uyun Al-Jauwa) and joined with Darb Zubaydah. Ruins of water reservoirs can be seen all along the pilgrimage track.
  
  
• The Site of Zubaydah
  It is situated about 9 km north of Unyzah in Al-Qasim region at the edge of Wadi Ar-Rummah. Scattered on the surface are pottery shreds of different types and ruins of building structures. The archaeological evidence suggests that it was inhabited during the first millennium BC until the middle of first century AD.

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