Al-Mandaq Governorate

Al-Mandaq Governorate is one of the governorates of al-Baha Province in the southwestern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is situated on the heights of the Sarawat Mountains overlooking Tihama. It encompasses eighty-two villages and is inhabited by approximately 20,010 people.

Al-Mandaq Governorate is located forty km away from the city of al-Baha, settled to its northwest, spanning an area of five hundred km². It stands at an elevation of approximately 2,240 m above sea level. Al-Mandaq is situated south of al-Taif Governorate at a distance of roughly two hundred km, stretching along al-Taif - al-Baha tourist route. It also lies adjacent to the road overlooking the elevated plains. The governorate oversees four administrative centers: Barahrah, Daws, Balkhazmar, and Daws Bani Fahm.

The geographical nature of al-Mandaq is dominated by valleys and forests. For instance, there's the Wadi Turbah Zahran, which is one of the largest valleys in the Arabian Peninsula, originating near al-Mandaq. Other valleys include Wadi Barahrah and Wadi al-Habara. The forests of al-Khulb are characterized by fertile soil and a climate with abundant seasonal rainfall. This has made it an agricultural area and a source of seasonal fruits, such as grapes, pomegranates, apricots, apples, peaches, and figs.

The temperature in the governorate does not exceed thirty degrees Celsius during the summer season. In winter, it drops and sometimes reaches zero, making it extremely cold. Fog envelops the area for the majority of the winter days.

Al-Mandaq is distinguished by its dense vegetation due to the seasonal rains and the continuous water flow in its valleys throughout the year. It boasts numerous parks and gardens. Some of its most famous parks include the al-Khulb Forest Park, Amadan Forest Park, al-Farasha, al-Fasilah, al-Badiya, al-Mishtal, al-Mahrura, al-Shu'ara, al-Shaf, Balkhazmar. In addition to these parks, the governorate also houses some landmarks, ancient historical artifacts, and forts.

In October 2020, the World Health Organization recognized al-Mandaq as a Healthy City as part of the Healthy Cities program offered by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the organization.