Al-Khurmah Governorate
Al-Khurmah Governorate (Muḥāfad͟hat al Khurmah) is one of the governorates of the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Province, located in the west of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is considered the fifth smallest governorate in the province in terms of population. According to the Saudi Census 2022 only 0.5 percent of the province's population resides there, estimated at 38,744 thousand individuals.
Centers
Al-Khurmah Governorate is administratively classified as a Category "A" governorate and consists of four administrative centers—two of Category "A" and two of Category "B". They are:
| Center | Category |
|---|---|
| Abu Marwah | A |
| Al-Ghuraif | A |
| Dhulaim | B |
| Al-Khubara' | B |
Designation of Al-Khurmah
The name Al-Khurmah originates from the natural environment in which it is located. It is named after the narrow passageways amidst dense vegetation or otherwise, called Khrima. The city developed around this Khrima or passage, hence the name, and its strategic location between the Najd and Hejaz regions earned it a reputation as a commercial hub. Convoys traveling from Yemen and the southern Arabian Peninsula, heading to the Levant and vice versa, would pass through it. Some sources also suggest that the name might be derived from a plant that used to grow there, which grows to a height ranging between thirty to sixty cm and has a pleasant taste.
Location of al-Khurmah Governorate
Al-Khurmah Governorate (the governorate's headquarters) is located in the southeast of Makkah Al-Mukarramah Province, about three hundred km east of Makkah Al-Mukarramah city, the headquarters of the Emirate, and covers an area of 20,800 km².
Topography
Al-Khurmah Governorate boasts diverse terrains compared to other governorates of Saudi Arabia, including lava fields, mountains, valleys, and streams where freshwater springs flow, as well as sand dunes in its northern part, known as the Subay Desert. These are similar to the dunes in Al-Rub' Al-Khali Desert, with golden sands through which the streams of Wadi Subay flow, descending from the Sarawat Mountains in the south.
Activities
The inhabitants of Al-Khurmah engage in agriculture, with a particular focus on date palm cultivation. The governorate is known for its varieties of dates like Safri, Sari, Duqul, Sulj, Khudri, and Humri, and it is also renowned for its citrus, grapes, and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) agriculture, as well as other crops like brown wheat, corn, and barley.
Some residents also turned to trade and commerce, leading to the spread of commercial shops offering various activities across the governorate. Additionally, its location along the pilgrimage route conferred major importance upon it, as it served as a gathering point for pilgrim caravans arriving from the southeastern parts, Wadi Ad-Dawasir, Bisha, and Oman—thereby becoming an important stopover center for caravans.
Services
Taif International Airport is located 202 km from Al-Khurmah Governorate, making it the nearest airport to it, and it is an international airport. The governorate can be reached via the Al-Khurmah–Ranyah–Bisha Road, a dual carriageway spanning 360 km with two lanes in each direction.
The governorate also houses a number of industrial facilities, including the Ad-Duwayhi Gold Mine, As-Suq Gold Mine, and the Central Power Generation Plant.
Historical sites in al-Khurmah Governorate
Al-Khurmah Governorate has a rich historical presence with numerous ancient monuments, historic forts, and natural landmarks, especially in the lava field east of the governorate inhabited by the tribe of Banu Hilal. Their relics still exist, consisting of forts, stone circles, observatory towers, horse stables, and war fortifications known to the locals as Zaraib. These structures contain carvings and ancient drawings.
Among the historical landmarks in the governorate, there are many ancient relics, including stone buildings. These consist of closely packed circular and square stones, meticulously constructed ancient forts, horse stations, and defensive structures placed at the highest point to monitor livestock in the valleys during grazing and to protect them from aggressors. They also contain old inscriptions, writings, and drawings of animals that once inhabited the region.
The governorate also houses al-Musaher Castle in al-Ghreef Center, which is a four-m-high clay tower. It was built by a group from the Subay tribe about 350 years ago and was formerly used for surveillance, shooting, and protecting the region from invaders. In al-Ghreef, there are also old stone-lined wells. Previously, al-Ghreef was known as the Orchard of Banu Amer due to its intense cultivation, diverse crops, fertile soil, and water abundance.
The historical landmarks in al-Khurmah Governorate also include ancient palaces, such as Buqairan Palace in al-Dughmiyah, relics of Hawqan, al-Mu'ayzilah, and the village of al-Salamiyah. Among its ancient markets, the old market in the center of the governorate stands out, in addition to the livestock market.