Al-Majaridah Governorate
Al-Majaridah Governorate is one of the governorates of Aseer Province, located in the southwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is home to 2.80 percent of the province's population, according to the Saudi Census 2022, with an estimated population of 48,302.
Location of Al-Majaridah Governorate
Al-Majaridah Governorate is located 162 km northwest of Abha City, the seat of the Emirate of Aseer Province. It is bordered to the north by Makkah Al-Mukarramah Province, to the northeast by Balqarn and Al-Namas Governorates, and to the south and west by Bariq Governorate. Its total area is approximately 1,139 km². The governorate is served by Abha International Airport, which is the closest airport to the governorate center and lies 189 km away. It is an international airport with a capacity of approximately 1.6 million passengers annually. Secondary Road 211 runs through the governorate's territories and serves as its main land transport hub, acting as the primary route to and from Al-Majaridah.
Centers of Al-Majaridah Governorate
Al-Majaridah is classified as a Category (B) Governorate and is administratively affiliated with five centers: Abs, Ahad Tharban, Khat, Khutbah, and Tharban.
Agriculture in Al-Majaridah Governorate
Al-Majaridah Governorate is known for its numerous valleys and farms, particularly those cultivating banana, lemon, Cordia myxa, and aromatic plants such as basil, marjoram, wormwood, and mint. It also hosts coffee trees in the highlands of Riman Mount and Wadi Al-Ghayl, in addition to wild olive trees.
Heritage villages in Al-Majaridah Governorate
Al-Majaridah is home to numerous heritage villages scattered across its territory and administrative centers, as well as on its towering and medium-height mountains, such as Tahwi, Al-Qaws, and Rimanmountains. These villages are also found along the slopes of descending valleys such as Wadi Abas, Khutbah, Wadi Al-Dhamu, Al-Ghayl, Khat, Shari, Al-Ardhi, and Wadi Na’s. Notable heritage villages include Khutbah, Al-Milhah, Al-Sumayd, Saywi, the archaeological village of Al-Hashah, Abas, Al-Mawqi’ah, Al-Huruf, and the villages of Mount 'Qarn Am’ashah.' These villages are characterized by a distinctive architectural style, with houses built over two or three floors, walls approximately one m thick, and narrow side openings. The rooftops are supported by sturdy sidr tree trunks (Ziziphus spina-christi), overlaid with palm fronds, and then covered with clay and soil.
Among the historical sites in Al-Majaridah Governorate are the ancient fortresses located in areas such as Abas and Khutbah. These fortresses are notable for their considerable height, narrow entrances, and small openings. Some are cylindrical in shape, while others take on forms that reflect the ancient architectural techniques of these villages and their stone buildings. Constructed from black basalt rock, these structures possess great strength, while the use of white quartz stone adds decorative touches to the exterior walls, enhancing their resistance to natural elements.