World Heritage Identification Number: 1563
World Heritage since: 2018
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Arab States
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Al-Ahsa Oasis: An Enduring Testament to Human Adaptation and Resilience
The Al-Ahsa Oasis, a sprawling expanse of verdant greenery nestled within the arid landscapes of eastern Saudi Arabia, stands as a testament to human ingenuity and resilience. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018, this evolving cultural landscape offers a captivating glimpse into the rich history, culture, and environmental adaptations that have shaped the Gulf region over millennia.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
In the eastern Arabian Peninsula, the Al-Ahsa Oasis is a serial property comprising gardens, canals, springs, wells and a drainage lake, as well as historical buildings, urban fabric and archaeological sites. They represent traces of continued human settlement in the Gulf region from the Neolithic to the present, as can be seen from remaining historic fortresses, mosques, wells, canals and other water management systems. With its 2.5 million date palms, it is the largest oasis in the world. Al-Ahsa is also a unique geocultural landscape and an exceptional example of human interaction with the environment.
Encyclopedia Record: Al-Ahsa Oasis
Al-Ahsa Oasis, also known as al-Ḥasāʾ (الْحَسَا) or Hajar (هَجَر), is an oasis and historical region in eastern Saudi Arabia. Al-Ahsa Governorate, which makes up much of the country's Eastern Province, is named after it. The oasis is located about 60 km inland from the coast of the Arabian Gulf. Al-Ahsa Oasis comprises four main cities and 22 villages. The cities include Al-Mubarraz and Al-Hofuf, two of the largest cities in Saudi Arabia.Additional Site Details
Area: 8,544 hectares
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
(v) — Outstanding example of traditional human settlement
Coordinates: 25.4021666667 , 49.6305694444
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© Aqeel Khalid, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
