Al-Aflaj Governorate

Al-Aflaj Governorate (Muḥāfaẓat al Aflāj) is one of the governorates of Riyadh Province in the central region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is the third-largest governorate in the province by area, following al-Sulayyil and al-Quwaiyah Governorates.

Al-Aflaj Governorate is located southeast of Riyadh Province. It is bordered to the north by al-Kharj and Hawtat Bani Tamim Governorates, to the south by al-Sulayyil Governorate, to the east by the Eastern Province, and to the west by Wadi ad-Dawasir and al-Quwaiyah Governorates.

According to the 2022 Saudi census, al-Aflaj Governorate has a population of 54,544, accounting for 0.6 percent of the total population of Riyadh Province.

Al-Aflaj Governorate covers an area of 51,000 km², resulting in a low population density of 1.06 persons per km².

Al-Aflaj Governorate is the homeland of two renowned historical figures: Qays Bin al-Mulawwah, known as Majnun Layla, and his beloved Layla al-‘Amiriyyah, who lived in the seventh century. The governorate is home to Mount Toubad, a historical landmark associated with their story, as referenced in Qays' poetry. Today, the mountain is one of the most prominent historical sites in the city, along with Sadah Village, Murgham Fortress, al-‘Adi Palace, and Salma Palace. Among the other heritage sites in al-Aflaj Governorate are the private museum of citizen Saleh Al Tamim and the heritage al-Huzaimi Mosque.

Al-Aflaj Governorate is home to large, ancient mud palaces with walls exceeding three m in width. These structures are built from burnt mud bricks and coated with gypsum. Additionally, the governorate features tiered architectural structures partially covered by sand dunes. Al-Aflaj is also known for its underground canal irrigation system, known as al-Kharaz, which was engineered with a distinctive design. This system includes a primary natural spring, with small interconnected channels extending throughout the site. These channels serve for ventilation, lighting, and maintenance, maintaining equal spacing between them and remaining in their original condition.

Among the archaeological sites in al-Aflaj Governorate is Qusairat ‘Ad, a site that dates back to the same period as al-Faw site in Wadi ad-Dawasir Governorate. The site underwent an archaeological survey in 1978 as part of the comprehensive archaeological survey project of the center of Saudi Arabia. The Heritage Commission has shown great interest in this site, launching a project in 2021 to study it and its related locations. This initiative aimed to verify certain architectural structures reported by archaeology enthusiasts as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader project for discovering, studying, analyzing, preserving, and safeguarding archaeological sites.

The Qusairat ‘Ad site contains water-related structures, including springs, canals, and agricultural basins, alongside the ruins of ancient buildings. Pottery fragments are scattered along its edges. Additionally, a fortified residential area has been uncovered, featuring housing units and public facilities. Archaeologists have also discovered gypsum and pottery kilns, which were used for storage, cooking, and washing.

Al-Aflaj Governorate is known for its agricultural villages, which are spread across the slopes of the Tuwaiq Mountains, historically known as al-Arid Mountains. The governorate benefits from an abundance of flowing water from springs and valleys.

Al-Aflaj is one of the leading date-producing governorates due to its fertile soil and favorable climate for palm cultivation. The governorate hosts an annual date festival, and its palm trees exceed eight hundred thousand in number, producing various date varieties, including Khalas, Nabt, Saq‘i, Sukkari, Safari, Khalasat Faris, al-Qatarah, Umm Qawzan, al-Hilali, Khalas al-Shuyukh, al-Hishishi, al-Muqafazi, and al-Barhi.

The nearest airport to al-Aflaj Governorate is Wadi ad-Dawasir Domestic Airport, located 295 km southwest of the governorate. The second closest is King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, 328 km north of al-Aflaj.

Al-Aflaj Governorate hosts a branch of Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, represented by the College of Science and Humanities and the Community College. Additionally, a branch of the Technical College in al-Kharj was inaugurated in 2013.

Several charitable and developmental associations operate in al-Aflaj Governorate, including Ma’adhin Mosque Care Association, Family Development Association, Bushra Women’s Charity Association, Community Development Committee, 'Insan' Orphan Care Association (al-Aflaj Branch), Sawn Food Conservation Association, and the Environmental Care Association.