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The Region
The guide was updated:
Al Qassim region, also known as Al Gassim, gets its name from the word Qassimah — a reference to the region's sand dunes from which the white saxaul trees grow.
Located right in the very heart of the Arabian peninsula, Al-Qassim is very lush in comparison with the rest of the country, and as such it is the richest region and the agricultural centre of the Kingdom. It is often referred to as the "alimental basket" of Saudi Arabia. The region is home to more than eight million palm trees and is thus one of the world's largest producers of dates, as well as oranges, lemons and other fruit. Every autumn, thousands gather for the yearly date festival, where over 300,000 tons of dates are put on display and sold to eager and hungry visitors.
The region's capital and largest city is Buraidah, where approximately half of the province's 1.3 million inhabitants reside. It is the financial and cultural centre of the region, and holds most of the points of interest for tourists, including interesting museums, green parks and excellent markets. Unaizah is the second city in the region and also provides plenty of attractions and entertainment for visitors. The cities' surrounding rural areas are also worth visiting for a peek into the fascinating world of desert agriculture.
Located right in the very heart of the Arabian peninsula, Al-Qassim is very lush in comparison with the rest of the country, and as such it is the richest region and the agricultural centre of the Kingdom. It is often referred to as the "alimental basket" of Saudi Arabia. The region is home to more than eight million palm trees and is thus one of the world's largest producers of dates, as well as oranges, lemons and other fruit. Every autumn, thousands gather for the yearly date festival, where over 300,000 tons of dates are put on display and sold to eager and hungry visitors.
The region's capital and largest city is Buraidah, where approximately half of the province's 1.3 million inhabitants reside. It is the financial and cultural centre of the region, and holds most of the points of interest for tourists, including interesting museums, green parks and excellent markets. Unaizah is the second city in the region and also provides plenty of attractions and entertainment for visitors. The cities' surrounding rural areas are also worth visiting for a peek into the fascinating world of desert agriculture.