Al-Bukayriyyah Governorate

Al-Bukayriyyah Governorate is a governorate affiliated with Qassim Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is located about thirty-nine km southwest of the city of Buraydah, the seat and center of the province's emirate. It is inhabited by approximately 63,551 people according to the 2022 Saudi census.

The designation al-Bukayriyyah traces its origins to al-Bukayri Mohammed, who sold its site, originally a meadow, in the twelfth century. It was established around 1771, although some sources suggest it was constructed around 1768, while others mention a different date, around 1766.

Al-Bukayriyyah is located in a relatively central position in Qassim Province, at a longitude of 43.46°E and a latitude of 26.15°N. It's situated southwest of Buraydah, west of Unayzah, and northeast of ar-Rass. It is the nearest city to Qassim Airport.

Geographically, al-Bukayriyyah Governorate is bordered to the north by Uyun al-Jiwa Governorate, to the northwest by Hail Province, to the south by al-Khabra, to the southeast by al-Bada'i Governorate, and to the east by Unayzah Governorate. Its area is estimated to be more than five thousand km.

Al-Bukayriyyah was associated with contemporary history through the Battle of al-Bukayriyyah, which stands as one of the most important historical incidents in its chronicles. It occurred in 1904 between the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud and Ibn Rashid. This battle is considered a pivotal battle in the history of the Kingdom.

Among the archaeological landmarks of the governorate are Maqsora al-Suwailem and al-Rajhi Palace. These landmarks stand out as the most important remnants of the old town. There's also the historical wall of al-Bukayriyyah on the eastern side of the governorate, which dates back more than two hundred years. Constructed with gates, this wall was designed to safeguard the city from potential attacks.

Based on the level of civil services in the governorate, al-Bukayriyyah is classified as a category (A) governorate. Administratively, it oversees ten centers, which are: al-Hilaliyah, al-Fuwayliq, al-Shihyah, Kahla, al-Dalfaa, Mashash Jorod, al-Artawi, al-Faydah, al-Najbah, and Saq.

Al-Bukayriyyah matched the pace of the Kingdom's developmental advancements and experienced swift urban growth. In 1967, the municipality was established to work on improving the city and its planning, and the streets were opened and paved.

Al-Bukayriyyah Governorate is the first health city in the Kingdom. It was nominated for the High Nations Competition in 1999, held in the city of Humama, Japan, in 2000. The governorate was nominated for this international competition as the first health city in the Kingdom and the Middle East. It was selected for this by the World Health Organization. Currently, the international Healthy Cities program is being implemented there.

Services in al-Bukayriyyah Governorate have witnessed significant developments in infrastructure across various fields. In addition to the road network, residents of the governorate use Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Qassim due to its proximity to the governorate. This airport serves approximately 550,000 travelers annually. It is situated about twenty-five km away from the governorate, and residents can reach it in just twenty minutes.

To further advance the establishment of advanced service systems in the governorate, al-Bukayriyyah Astronomical Observatory for Crescent Sighting was inaugurated in 2018. This observatory is the first of its kind in the province. Located in the Saq center, which is affiliated with al-Bukayriyyah Governorate, it enhances and promotes the study of astronomy through its precise observation and continuous verification of the crescent moon.

In the context of preserving the heritage of the governorate and developing its tourist attractions, the project of the historic Sawaqi Avenue was launched in the old town of al-Bukayriyyah Governorate in 2022. This tourist landmark spans 1.5 km in length and is among the distinguished projects intended to serve as a leading tourist destination in the province. Situated amidst palm trees and the area's natural environment, it captivates visitors with its picturesque location.

Al-Bukayriyyah Governorate experiences numerous events related to its agricultural activity. The date season in al-Bukayriyyah Governorate serves as one of the economic pillars of Qassim Province. The Golden Day for the dates of al-Bukayriyyah during the 2022 season witnessed a record-breaking production. Al-Bukayriyyah date market received the produce of nearly two million palm trees through twenty routes and eighteen platforms. The daily display reaches around 55,000 packages, weighing approximately 220,000 kg, of various types of dates.

Another agricultural event in al-Bukayriyyah Governorate is Qassim Pomegranate Festival. It witnesses the participation of dozens of pomegranate exhibitors and more than a hundred productive families, in addition to a hospitality tent and sections for participating entities.

The events in al-Bukayriyyah Governorate also include the Khairat Qassim Festival for Seasonal Products and Transformative Industries. It aims to support small farmers and their rural families through the Reef program, which backs various initiatives based on the relative features of the province, such as fruits and productive rural families.