Al-Ahsa Oasis
25°25′46″N 49°37′19″E / 25.42944°N 49.62194°E
Al-Ahsa, sometimes Al-Hasa, El Hasa, or Hadjar is a traditional oasis region in eastern Saudi Arabia. The oasis is about 60 km inland from the Persian Gulf.
Al-Ahsa is part of the region known historically as Al-Bahrayn. It includes the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula down to the borders of Oman. It also includes the island of Awal (modern-day Bahrain).
Al-Hasa has one of the largest numbers of Shia Muslims in mostly Sunni Saudi Arabia.
With an area of around 85.4 km2 (33.0 sq mi), Al-Ahsa Oasis is the largest oasis in the world. There are more than 2.5 million palm trees including date palms in the oasis, which is fed from a huge underground aquifer and irrigated by the flow of more than 280 artesian springs, which allows agriculture all year round in a region that is otherwise sand desert.[1]
Main cities and villages[change | change source]
- Al Hofuf: capital city and has lots of traditional markets.
- Al Mubarraz: large city with many big markets.
- Al-Omran: has more than 15 villages and well known for the many farms.
- Shaybah: oil town in the Empty Quarter.
- More than 50 Villages.