Baljurashi () or Biljurashi () is a

governorate A governorate or governate is an administrative division headed by a governor. As English-speaking nations tend to call regions administered by governors either states or provinces, the term ''governorate'' is typically used to calque divisions ...

in Al-Baha Province, south-western

Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about , making it the List of Asian countries ...

Overview

Baljurashi is a medium-sized

located in the Al-Baha Province of southwestern

. It was historically the capital of the province that includes the tribes of Ghamid and Zahran. The governorate lies on the

Sarawat Mountains The Sarawat Mountains (), also known as the Sarat in singular case, is a mountain range in the western part of the Arabian Peninsula. In a broad sense, it runs parallel to the eastern coast of the Red Sea, and thus encompasses the mountains of ...

and serves as a major summer resort, known for its pleasant climate and natural beauty. The temperature usually varies between in winter and in summer. The best time to visit is from mid-August until the end of September. A notable feature of Baljurashi is its forests, such as Raghadan Forest, which are so lush that visitors often find it hard to believe they are in Saudi Arabia. The governorate is referred to as "the land of one thousand and one

watchtower A watchtower or guardtower (also spelt watch tower, guard tower) is a type of military/paramilitary or policiary tower used for guarding an area. Sometimes fortified, and armed with heavy weaponry, especially historically, the structures are ...

s" and is known for its ancient seasonal

camel A camel (from and () from Ancient Semitic: ''gāmāl'') is an even-toed ungulate in the genus ''Camelus'' that bears distinctive fatty deposits known as "humps" on its back. Camels have long been domesticated and, as livestock, they provid ...

trail, famously named "camel steps." These man-made steps were designed to help camels ascend the steep escarpment, and they stretch all the way down to the base of the mountains."Al Baha City Profile."
The Saudi Network. 2012? Most of the native people of Baljurashi reside outside the governorate; however, a significant number return during the summer vacation, leading to a considerable population increase during that period. The people of Baljurashi have played an important role in the development of Saudi Arabia. Many prominent traders hail from the area, and it has long been a center of education and commerce in the south of the Kingdom. Historically, Baljurashi was an enlightenment hub and a key stop on old trade routes. A large number of its natives are academics who serve in universities and colleges throughout Saudi Arabia. The governorate is also notable for its contribution to the industrial and commercial sectors. Many individuals from Baljurashi have held high-ranking positions in national firms, particularly in

Saudi Aramco Saudi Aramco ( ') or Aramco (formerly Arabian-American Oil Company), officially the Saudi Arabian Oil Company, is a majority state-owned petroleum and natural gas company that is the national oil company of Saudi Arabia. , it is the fourth- l ...

, where several vice presidents are originally from the area. Baljurashi is considered a tribal governorate predominantly inhabited by members of the Ghamid tribe—one of the large and well-known tribes in Saudi Arabia. The Ghamid tribe dates back to pre-Islamic times and has produced many notable '' muḥaddithūn'' (, narrators or transmitters) of the

Sunnah is the body of traditions and practices of the Islamic prophet Muhammad that constitute a model for Muslims to follow. The sunnah is what all the Muslims of Muhammad's time supposedly saw, followed, and passed on to the next generations. Diff ...

of the

Prophet Muhammad In Islam, Muhammad () is venerated as the Seal of the Prophets who transmitted the Quran, eternal word of God () from the Angels in Islam, angel Gabriel () to humans and jinn. Muslims believe that the Quran, the central religious text of Isl ...

(, ''Nabī'').

Wildlife

The ''nimr'' (,

leopard The leopard (''Panthera pardus'') is one of the five extant cat species in the genus ''Panthera''. It has a pale yellowish to dark golden fur with dark spots grouped in rosettes. Its body is slender and muscular reaching a length of with a ...

) was reported in Wadi Khatayn, south of Baljurashi, in 2002, and the species was confirmed by killings, several reports of sightings from different witnesses, livestock killed and the presences of tracks and signs. However, camera traps deployed there during 2002 and 2003 failed to obtain pictures of leopards.

Sport club

* Al-Hejaz Football Club ().

References

{{Saudi cities Populated places in Al-Bahah Province

Overview

Wildlife

Sport club

See also

References