Al-Kharj Governorate

Al-Kharj Governorate is one of the governorates of the Riyadh Province, located in the center of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Classified under category (A), according to the 2022 Saudi census, the population of al-Kharj is approximately 373,000, making it the second-largest in the province in terms of population after the capital, Riyadh. The governorate comprises thirty-two centers.

The Water Tower in al-Kharj governorate of Riyadh Province. (Saudipedia)

Yaqut al-Hamawi mentioned in his book Mu'jam al-Buldan under the Arabic letters Kha and Ra and what follows them, that al-Kharj, with the first syllable Kha, the second syllable R, and the final syllable J is a valley with villages in the land of al-Yamamah, belonging to the Banu Qais bin Tha'labah bin 'Uqabah, a sub-tribe of Bakr bin Wa'il. It is situated on the road from Basra to Makkah al-Mukarramah. It is one of the good valleys in al-Yamamah, known for its cultivated land and a few palm trees. As Dhul-Rumma said:

In a breeze of al-Kharj's lavender caused confusion

And Jarir said:

They pledge not to speak to us, neither out of evil nor suspicion

How delightful is al-Kharj, between the countries of Bani Saad

And others have said:

Al-Kharj is as old as time

Al-Kharj is located in the center of the Kingdom on the eastern border of Riyadh Province. To the east, it's bordered by al-Ahsa Governorate, which is administratively affiliated with the Eastern Province, to the north by the capital Riyadh, to the west by al-Dilam Governorate, and to the south by al-Aflaj Governorate.

Al-Kharj Governorate is one of the twenty-two governorates under the administrative division of Riyadh Province. It's situated about eighty km southeast of Riyadh. The governorate was established following the unification of the Kingdom on the initiative of the founder King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. It has seen several developmental leaps in a few years. With its appealing economic advantages for investment, it houses many vital economic and governmental institutions, including the Industrial City, one of the largest in the Kingdom, covering over ninety-nine million m².

Studies and archaeological excavations have revealed that al-Kharj has a rich historical heritage. A joint Saudi-French archaeological mission in 2018 uncovered sites dating back to approximately one hundred thousand years in the governorate. This marks the first time that sites from the ancient Stone Age have been discovered in al-Kharj, in addition to sites dating to the Upper Paleolithic period.

In that exploratory expedition, the mission discovered fragments of ordinary ceramic vessels, a collection of glass bracelet fragments, and a few shards of gray soapstone vessels. Additionally, at the site of Ayn of al-Dila, located in the western part of al-Kharj Oasis, traces of human habitation dating back approximately five thousand years were revealed, along with iron artifacts dating to the early first millennium BC. Furthermore, a bronze sword measuring fifty-six cm in length was also found.

The archaeological work also revealed the presence of several ancient farms and their architectural structures dating back to the eleventh century. Additionally, a number of Thamudic inscriptions and unvoweled Arabic inscriptions were discovered, marking the oldest Islamic script found in the central region of the Arabian Peninsula. Located in the western part of al-Saih city, there are tombs situated atop the mountain ranges overlooking al-Kharj Valley, resembling stone cairns.

King Abdulaziz Palace in al-Kharj from the outside. (King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives)

The province of al-Kharj houses the palace of the founder of the Kingdom, King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. Later, al-Saih became the location of his palace, which is now considered a historical landmark and an icon of al-Kharj. The palace was established in 1940 and is a historical monument built in the modern Islamic architectural style.

The palace, located in the al-Aziziyah district of al-Saih city, comprises architectural units that are symmetrical in design, construction materials, and the number of floors. It was constructed with stone covered by a layer of gypsum. Each unit has a length of thirty m and is square in shape. Rectangular openings for illumination have been added for aesthetic appeal, and the doors are adorned with decorative floral motifs featuring repeated leaf patterns.

Al-Kharj governorate has gained prominence due to its natural resources, which have made it a hub for one of the most vital industries, particularly the dairy industry. Al-Saih, in particular, is often referred to as the dairy capital of the Kingdom. The city is surrounded by major agricultural companies, farms, dairy factories, and poultry farms, forming a comprehensive food basket with its vast farms producing vegetables, wheat, and dates. It exports significant quantities of its products to various regions and Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

With the aim of harnessing the economic value of the dairy industry and promoting it, the Tourism Development Committee in al-Kharj organized the Dairy and Food Festival in cooperation with several governmental and private entities in 2022. This festival contributes to highlighting the achievements in terms of the global quality of dairy products in the Kingdom and opens up opportunities and channels for investment related to the production and marketing of dairy products and derivatives in the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Al-Kharj Governorate boasts various tourist attractions, with several springs being the main highlight. These springs were historically crucial for farms and orchards, and now they serve as significant tourist landmarks. These springs are al-Saih, Mawan, al-Khabi, al-Dhahi, Abu Jifan, Nasah, and Baljan. Due to the abundance of valleys and streams, al-Kharj offers an ideal environment for excursions and dedicated camping trips.

Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, a public university, welcomes students from al-Kharj governorate. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs and has branches in several governorates, including al-Dalam, Wadi Dawasir, Hawtat Bani Tamim, al-Aflaj, al-Hareeq, and al-Sulayyil.

Al-Kharj governorate provides healthcare services, including three public hospitals with a total bed capacity of 503 beds. Additionally, there are twenty-two primary healthcare centers and thirty-one private clinics in the region.