Khamis Mushait Governorate
Khamis Mushait (Muḥāfad͟hat Khamīs Mushayṯ) is one of Aseer's governorates, southwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is located in the middle of Aseer province and its traditional trading center, which is the first in the region, and the third commercial city in Saudi Arabia. It is characterized by its central position, as the main roads connect the province to the rest of Saudi Arabia's regions and cities. Moreover, the governorate enjoys a mild climate.
Centers
Khamis Mushait Governorate has 11 administrative centers—six categorized as Class "A" and five as Class "B":
| Center | Category |
|---|---|
| Tandaha | A |
| Wadi Bin Hashbal | A |
| Ya'ara | A |
| Khaybar Al-Janoub | A |
| Al-Hafayer | B |
| Al-Rawnah | B |
| Al-Amarah | B |
| Al-Haymah | A |
| Al-Saffiyyah | A |
| Al-Jazirah | B |
| Al-Sulayyil | B |
Borders
Khamis Mushait Governorate is bordered to the north by Bishah and Tathlith governorates, to the east by Tathlith and Tarib governorates, to the south by Ahad Rufydah and Sarat Abidah, and to the west by Abha and Tanumah. While Aseer Province includes the highest peaks in Saudi Arabia, Khamis Mushait is the lowest part in the east of the region. It is an interior governorate that does not overlook water bodies. It is 156 km away from the Red Sea coast, where about a quarter of the population of Aseer is concentrated, which is estimated at 601,305 people, according to the Saudi Census 2022.
Tourism
The city witnessed an urban expansion which increased the number of hotels, furnished apartments, and tourist services. The governorate is surrounded by archaeological sites, including Jarash Archeological Site located in Ahad Rufaydah Governorate (south-east of Khamis Mushait,) in addition to some modern tourist sites, such as Bin Hamsan Heritage Village, which is an integrated model of the region's heritage.
Climate
The climate in Khamis Mushait is moderate in summer and cold in winter, and is accompanied by rainfall throughout the year. The governorate recorded the lowest temperatures of 13.6 and the highest of 27.4, with precipitations reaching 231.8 mm.