The Blue Holes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are an ecological system and geological formation consisting of circular submerged cavities within the water. They are located in the southern Red Sea , off the southern coasts of the Kingdom. These formations were discovered in 2022 during a scientific exploratory mission called the 'Red Sea Decade Expedition.' A total of twenty blue holes were identified. Formation of blue holes in Saudi Arabia Blue holes are rare geological formations w...
Butterflies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are insects widespread across the Kingdom. While they are considered pests to plants, they are also classified as effective pollinators of wild plants. Types of butterflies Butterflies in the Kingdom belong to four different species from the order 'Lepidoptera.' They visit four different types of wild plants that serve as their primary food source. Butterflies lay their eggs on these plants, which then hatch into worm-like larvae that activel...
The annual celestial markers (Tawale') in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are the astrology houses that appear during the seasons of the year. Each lasts for thirteen days and serves as a guide for farmers to determine their planting times. They are as follows: - Winter Markers: The winter season includes seven celestial markers, beginning with Ikleel, a grouping of three aligned bright stars. During this period, palm fronds and tree branches are pruned. This marker, which signifies the beginn...
Fitri Platform is a government electronic services platform launched by the National Center for Wildlife in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on November 4, 2020. It specializes in issuing licenses for import, export, hunting, and other activities related to wildlife and their products. The platform facilitates the process of obtaining licenses for activities related to wildlife and their products, classified under the Environmental Law and its executive regulations, and international agreements in...
The Marine 'Hydrographic' Survey Project is implemented by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia . The project aims to collect marine survey data for producing navigational charts, both paper and electronic, for the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Arabian Gulf. Importance of the Marine Survey Project The importance of marine surveying is tied to development and economy, security and defense, scientific research, and the protecti...
Junipers are the most widespread trees in the forests southwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia . These forests also encompass acacia trees, red medlars, sweet acacia trees, olive trees, toothbrush trees, tamarisk trees, ziziphus spina-christi trees, silver grass, palm trees , and wattles. These plants are able to withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as drought, heat, and cold. Forests in the Kingdom are a source for producing medicinal and aromatic plants. They are also bee-suitable p...
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is home to forests of varying densities, covering approximately 2.7 million ha of its area. Most of these forests are located in al-Sarawat Mountain Range in the southwestern region of the Kingdom. They are notable for their tree diversity, with around one hundred species, along with approximately 2,500 species of shrubs and herbs. These forests rely on seasonal rainfall for their water supply. The most common trees found in these areas are junipers (Juniperus) and v...
Al-Ula Animal Welfare Center is a facility established by the Royal Commission for al-Ula on September 1, 2023, in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah Province , the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It aims to provide a safe and healthy environment for pets, preserve the environment, and enhance the quality of life for al-Ula community . Services of al-Ula Animal Welfare Center Al-Ula Animal Welfare Center offers al-Ula Veterinary Clinic initiative, which implements the internationally recognized TNVR (Trap, Neut...
The Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) is a wild animal that was once endangered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , having disappeared for approximately eighty to one hundred years. The reasons for its extinction included environmental factors, overhunting, and the loss of vegetation, which led to a significant decline in its population. In collaboration with the National Center for Wildlife , several nature reserves in the Kingdom have contributed to the reintroduction and breeding of the Arabian oryx...
Air quality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is measured using the Air Quality Index, a simplified method for defining air quality conditions. This index relies on data from air quality monitoring and observation stations, converting pollutant concentrations into simple numbers that are easy for the general public to understand, and presenting them in specific colors. The Air Quality Index is managed by the National Center for Environmental Compliance , which was established in 2019. The cent...
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia prohibits the hunting of wild animals, including the Arabian Oryx , gazelles, ibex , and predators such as the Arabian leopard , lynx, wolf, and hyena. It also bans the hunting of endangered birds or birds of prey. Hunting animals or birds is prohibited within the boundaries of villages, cities, centers, farms, rest areas, residential and military facilities, industrial and vital establishments, protected areas, and large projects such as NEOM , the Red Sea Project ,...
The highest temperature recorded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was fifty-three °C in the city of al-Qaisumah, located in the Eastern Province , during the summer of 2021. Meanwhile, the lowest temperature was recorded in Turayf Governorate, in the Northern Borders Province , at minus six °C in the winter of 2022, according to the National Center of Meteorology. Weather patterns in the Kingdom vary according to its terrain. Rainfall is more frequent in the southwestern highlands during the su...