Al-Birk Governorate

Al-Birk Governorate, located in Aseer Province, southwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is classified as a category (B) governorate. It forms the coastal boundary of Aseer Province alongside the governorates of Mahayil and Rijal Alma. Al-Birk Governorate includes three administrative centers: 'Amq, Dhahban, and al-Marsad.

It is one of the smaller population clusters in the province, following al-Harajah and Tarib Governorates, housing approximately 1.1 percent of Aseer Province’s population according to the 2022 Saudi Census, and their number is estimated at 22,583 people.

Located to the west of Aseer Province on the Red Sea coast, al-Birk is 171 km west of Abha City, the seat of the emirate. It is surrounded by Mahayil Governorate from three sides, north, east, and south, and opens westward to the Red Sea.

Al-Birk Governorate is serviced by Abha International Airport, the nearest airport, located 185 km from the city center. This international airport has a capacity of around 1.5 million travelers annually, with an expected expansion to accommodate over thirteen million passengers per year following the new development plans.

The main coastal road, Road Five, traverses the governorate, serving as the principal land transport center and as a means of access to and from al-Birk.

Al-Birk is one of the places known in Islamic history as "Birk al-Ghimad". It is recorded that the companion al-Miqdad Ibn Amr, may Allah be pleased with him, said to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH), during the Battle of Badr, "By He Who has sent you with Truth! If you decide to take us to Birk al-Ghimad, we will fight along with you until you reach it." It is also noted that Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, passed through Birk al-Ghimad when he intended to migrate from Makkah al-Mukarramah to Abyssinia.

Al-Birk Governorate is characterized by its mountainous terrain made up of volcanic rocks known as (Harrat). It is covered with many trees, including doum and mangroves. Several valleys run through it, such as Wadi Raka, Dhara, al-Marsad, al-Hariqah, al-Nakhl, Qila, and Debsa. The beaches of al-Birk are featured by their dense forest cover, and their coastline widens as it moves northward.

Al-Birk Governorate boasts several notable beaches, including an-Nuhud Beach, located approximately five km north of the city. Al-Mahaji Beach, about eighteen km from the governorate center, is known for its white sands and coral reefs, ideal for diving enthusiasts. Zahran Beach, situated fourteen km to the north, is surrounded by mangroves. To the south, ten km from the governorate lies al-Esh Beach, famous for the mouth of Wadi "al-Dahen", which features ancient inscriptions and caves in the surrounding mountains directly overlooking the Red Sea. Additionally, al-Hibak Beach in Dhahban is located fifteen km south of the center of al-Birk Governorate.