Al-Qassim Region

Al-Qassim
Region
القصيم

Map of Saudi Arabia with Al-Qassim highlighted
Capital Buraidah
Boroughs 11
Government
 • Governor Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Area
 • Total 58,046 km2 (22,412 sq mi)
Population (2010 census)
 • Total 1,215,858
 • Density 21/km2 (54/sq mi)
ISO 3166-2 05

Al-Qassim Region (Arabic: منطقة القصيم‎ Al Qaṣīm [ælqɑˈsˤiːm], local Najdi Arabic pronunciation: [ælgəˈsˤiːm] ), also spelled Qassim, Al-Qaseem, Al-Qasim, or Gassim internationally, is one of the thirteen administrative regions of Saudi Arabia. Located at the heart of the country, and almost in the center of the Arabian Peninsula, it has a population of 1,370,727 and an area of 58,046 km². It is known to be the "alimental basket" of the country, for its agricultural assets.

Al-Qassim is the richest region per capita in Saudi Arabia.[1] It is the seventh most populated region in the country after Jizan and the fifth most densely populated. It has more than 400 cities, towns, villages, and Bedouin settlements, ten of which are recognized as governorates. Its capital city is Buraydah, which is inhabited by approximately 49% of the region's total population. The governor of the province from 1992 to 29 January 2015 was Prince Faisal bin Bandar, succeeded by Prince Faisal bin Mishaal.

Etymology

Al Qassim is derived from the word "Qassimah" (Arabic: قصيمة‎), a reference to قصائم الغضا, meaning the region's sand dunes from which the white saxaul trees grow.[2] The region is known to contain a large group of Calligonum plants such as comosum (locally known as arta).

Location

The province is located in the center of Saudi Arabia approximately 400 km northwest of Riyadh, the capital. It is bordered by Riyadh Region to the south and east, by Ha'il Region to the north, and by Al Madinah Region to the west. The region is connected to almost every part of Saudi Arabia by a very complicated network of highways. The regional airport, Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Regional Airport, connects Al Qassim (Gassim) to the other provinces of the country.

History

Pre-Islamic Arabia

A current photo of, what is said to be, Antarah's Rock in AlJiwa

There is not much information known about Al Qassim the province in the times of Pre-Islamic Arabia. Unaizah was repeatedly mentioned as a desert watering hole in the poems of Imru Al Qais (the famous Arabian poet). Moreover, AlJiwa, which is about 60 km north of Unzaizah, was mentioned by the heroic Absi poet Antarah bin Shaddad.

The Abbasid Empire

Al Qassim Province had some important foyers on the road of pilgrims and traders coming from the east (mainly Persia and Iraq) in the era of the Abbasid Empire.

The Zubeida road was a long pilgrims road that started from the city of Kufa in Iraq and ran to Mecca in Arabia. The road was constructed in the reign of Harun Al Rashid and was named after his wife Zubeida. It had pilgrims foyers in many of the region's cities including Unaizah.

Tribal conflict (1600s-1907)

The Al Abu Olayan - dynasty from the Banu Tamim tribe established the emirate of Buraydah in the late 16th century by its leader, Rashid Al Duraiby. He built Buraydah and made it the province's capital. However, Unaizah was ruled by Al Sulaim dynasty. The emirate was later captured by Muhanna Salih Abalkhail, the leader of the Abalkhail dynasty. In 1890, the Rashidi dynasty based in Ha'il annexed the province. In 1904, the Abalkhail recaptured the province4. In 1907, the province was integrated under the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia

The province is Saudi Arabia's most conservative region. It is the heart of the Najd region and the centre of the Salafi movement. The province is regarded as one of the key support bases of the Al Saud family, along with Al Riyadh Province, Ha'il province and Al Jawf province. This province has also contributed many notable Salafi ulema and sheikhs.[3]

Population

Year Population [4]
1992 750,979
2004 1,015,972
2010 1,234,531
2014 1,370,727

Geography

Al Qassim province is divided by the Wadi Al-Rummah (Rummah Valley). The valley crosses the entire region from the west to the northeast. It is the longest valley in the whole Arabian peninsula, it stretches for about 600 km (370 mi) from near Medina, to the Thuayrat Dunes in the east, and northeast of the region. The land's height in Qassim is about 600–750 meters above sea level, and it is gliding from west to east in general.

Climate

Al Qassim region has a typical desert climate, known for its cold, rainy winters, and for its hot and sometimes balmy summers, with low humidity.

Agriculture

Palm trees in Alqassim
date festival in alqassim

Al-Qassim region hosts more than Eight million Palm Trees, making it one of the Middle East largest producers of dates, producing an annual amount of 205 thousand tons of various types of luxury dates, which gives the region a high economic value by exporting large amounts of dates nationally and internationally, especially in the GCC region. Multi cities in the region market their dates production with dates festivals that mostly start in September, Although Buraydah (the capital of the province) hosts one of the largest festivals in the region, at which a lot of people come from all over the GCC countries to buy their yearly requirement of dates.


Along with tourism, agriculture is still the cornerstone of the region's economy. Although the region has been famous for its agricultural assets for a long time, it wasn't until recently that wheat production has been introduced to the local agricultural industry, making Saudi Arabia a net exporter of cereal. The region also produces dates, grapes, lemons, grapefruits, mandarin oranges, oranges, pomegranates, and a large group of vegetables. The region also hosts one of the biggest camel market in the world, due to its central location, surrounded by Aldahna and alnfound deserts.

Agriculture in general is considered to be a very important part of the region's natives culture, with special vegetables being linked to every city, for example eating leeks (kurrat) is associated with the people of Unaizah, while adding chili peppers to meals is associated with the people of the city of Rass.

Transportation

Departures at Qassim Airport
Qatar Airways at alqassim airport
New Railway Station

Air

Airlines and destinations

Roads

Rail

Al-Qassim will be connected to a new passenger railway mid 2015[9] The train will connect Al-Qassim to Riyadh on the South and Ha'il, Al Jouf, Qurayyat and Jordan Borders on the North.

Education

Schools

The region is served by schools in every city and town for all three educational levels (primary, intermediate, and secondary), and includes various types of school (public, private, Koranic, international), with international and private schools.

The region has 263,379 Female and Male Students, 33,061 Female & Male Teachers and 2,533 Schools.[10]

Universities

Qassim University Main Hall

Qassim University, which is located in Almulida area, West of Buraidah, North West of Unayzah and Almuthnab, North East of Ar Rass, Al Badayea, Al Bukayriyah, Al Khabra and Riyadh Al Khabra.

University Stage

Qassim University was established in 2004 by merging two Qassim branches of Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University and King Saud University. Since the establishment of the university, it has experienced a remarkable growth in enrollment and a significant expansion of faculty and its administrative staff. The number of male and female students registered at university during 2010-11 approached 50,000 and number of faculty members and staff reached well over 4,000, At present the university encompasses 28 colleges both for male and female students.[11]

QU International Engagement

Qassim University (QU) appeared in the QS World University Rankings for the first time in 2011. According to the QS report, it has shown excellent potential for strengthening its position by harnessing its core strengths in teaching and Research. QU has published Research papers with institutions ranked in top 100 of the 2011 rankings. QU has also shown initiative in arranging International Seminars in order to develop relations with global academic peers.[12] Qassim Universities has very competitive colleges that are spread at the main campus (Almulida) and campuses at Al-Qassim's main cities:

Football Team at Al-Qassim University
University Sports at Alqassim

Main Campus (Al Mulida)

- Applied Science:

- Health Science:

- Arabic & Humanitarian

- Judiciary

Buraidah

Onizah

Ar Rass

Sport Activities at Al-Qassim University

Al-Qassim Universities hosts many sport activities and sport teams that compete at the national level in Saudi Arabia and in the GCC region. The football team has won the national universities competition 2 years in a row, 2014 and 2015. The university sports teams includes volleyball, swimming, athletics and many more.

Technical and Vocational Training Corporation

Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal and a visit to Buraidah TVTC College


AlRajhi College

Private Colleges

Cities

Unaizah

There are also other nearby rural towns including Almethnab, Al-Bukairiyah, Badaya'a, Riyadh Al-Khabra, Al-Khabra, and Nabhaniya.

Health care

Habib Hospital Buraidah

Al-Qassim has many hospitals in the region that provide medical services to citizens and visitors to the region, hospitals are under the management of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defense, and also includes many privately managed hospitals:

National Hospital Qassim

Sports

King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Buraidah
Al-Raed Club
Al-Taoun FC Buraidah
Club Name City Established
Al-Raed Buraidah 1954
Al-Taawon FC Buraidah 1956
Al-Arabi Onaizah 1958
Al-Hazem Ar Rass 1958
Al-Najmah Onaizah 1960
Al-Taqadum Al-Muthnib 1961
Al-Amal Al-Bukairiyah 1962
Al-Badayea (Al-Rumah) Al-Badayea 1965
Al-Kholoud Ar Rass 1970
Al-Jawa Riyadh Al-Khbra 1975
Al-Hilaliah Al-Hilaliah 1976
Mared Al-Asyeah 1979
Al-Mooj Al-Khbra 1982
Al-Saqer Al-Buser 1984

Tourism

Mövenpick Hotel in Buraidah, Al-Qassim
Dates festival in Alqassim
Dates festival in alqassim

According to the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTA), Al-Qassim has been recognized as the number one province in the Kingdom in organizing festivals and events, with an annual number of 173 events in 2014. Al-Qassim Province is rich in heritage, nature, and traditional handicrafts, and its geographical location makes it the hub of diverse cultures and various festivals. Al-Qassim is an ideal destination for a short vacation or a weekend getaway. During your visit, you can savor the most delicious dates, explore unique built heritage, and appreciate traditional handicrafts. From visiting the markets and touring the museums, to enjoying the beauty of the palm groves and fruit farms, there is so much to do and see in Al-Qassim. Each season in Qassim has a certain festival and a specific occasion that highlights the prominent features of that season. During summer vacation, for nearly a month, various events and festivals are organized in Qassim and its governorates and are held in the markets, museums, public parks, and other locations as per the nature of the event. Such festivals are popular with the entire community, and are attended by women, men and children. The most famous events hosted in Qassim are the Buraidah Recreational Festival, Unaizah Tourism Festival, and the Al-Mithnib Summer Festival.

In addition, date festivals are held in Qassim to highlight that the Province is distinguished for its farms and dates. Shopping at the Qassim date market is a unique experience, especially during the harvest season during August and September. Al-Qassim’s desert parks become more favorable during the winter and spring seasons, attracting desert lovers as well as the locals and visitors who seek rejuvenation and enjoyment in the open spaces and natural environment. These parks host the spring festivals that are usually organized during the mid-year vacation periods. The festival feature multiple activities and events that highlight the festival’s nature and location.

In Al-Qassim, a number of festivals are organized in various places during different periods to recognize the city’s heritage. The most prominent festivals include Al-Khelija and Traditional Products Festival in Buraidah, Entajee Festival in Unaizah, Al-Musawkaf Traditional Festival in Unaizah, Eid Al-Khabra Festival, Reef Al-Awshaziyah Festival, and Al-Russ Heritage Festival. Then, enjoy a relaxing getaway to Qassim’s beautiful orchards in the countryside where you can unwind and renew your energy.[13]

The region hosts many hotels, apartments and resorts for its year around visitors, such as the Mövenpick Hotel, Golden Tulip in Buraidah, Boudl Resort and Apartments in Unaizah, and the Ramada Hotel in Al-Bukairiyah. Although variety of resorts and chalets and farm are offered such as Al Malfa Resort in Unaizah.

References

  1. ↑ Poverty in the Kingdom of Gold
  2. ↑ Ibn Mandhur, Lisan al-Arab, ق-ص-م
  3. ↑ Saudi Arabia's clerics challenge King Abdullah's reform agenda | World news | The Guardian, 1 July 2011
  4. ↑ http://www.cdsi.gov.sa/2010-07-31-07-00-05
  5. ↑ Bur News.com 19 July 2011.
  6. ↑ Argaam
  7. ↑ "Press Release". Qatar Airways. 9 September 2009. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  8. ↑ Turkish Airlines
  9. ↑ http://classic.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=43&article=724457&issueno=12555#.VLBsrFbXGbA
  10. ↑ http://www.aleqt.com/2014/05/30/article_853066.html
  11. ↑ http://www.qu.edu.sa/en/About/Pages/History-of-QU.aspx
  12. ↑ http://www.qu.edu.sa/en/About/Pages/Ranking-and-Accreditation.aspx
  13. ↑ http://sauditourism.sa/en/Explore/Regions/Qassim/Pages/default.aspx
 Ha'il Region
  Al-Qassim Region  
Madinah Region Riyadh Region
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