Where Are al-Faqra Mountains Located?

Al-Faqra Mountains lie west of al-Madinah al-Munawwarah in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah Province, west of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, about eighty km from al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. They are a chain of adjacent mountains aligned longitudinally, resembling spinal vertebrae. Their elevation is roughly 1,800 m above sea level. The climate there is mild to cool in summer and extremely cold in winter, to the extent that its inhabitants used to leave during winter for Yanbu Valley, Tasha Valley, and Rahqan Valley. In summer, temperatures are about fifteen degrees Celsius lower than in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, making al-Faqra Mountains a popular tourist destination for residents of al-Madinah al-Munawwarah.

Among its mountains are al-Ash'ar and al-Ajrad. The former is so named because it is filled with trees, particularly juniper and wild olive, while the latter is called al-Ajrad for its lack of vegetation or greenery, and it lies northwest of al-Faqra, separate from the main range. In al-Faqra Center, palm trees are cultivated, yielding fruit three times a year. Among the date varieties are "al-Ku'aik", also called al-Jubaily, and as-Safawi. The area also produces grains, olives, and various fruits, such as oranges, pomegranates, and figs, all irrigated by rainfall. Beehives are widespread as well, producing some of the finest types of honey.