Al Kharj
Encyclopedia
Al-Kharj is a city and governorate
in central Saudi Arabia
. The population of the governorate as a whole was 623,394 according to the 2004 census, 75,716 of whom were non-Saudis. The city is located at around 24°8′54"N 47°18′18"E.
Kharj's status as a city is recent, as it originally referred to a large region made up of a number of separate small towns. The largest towns historically were ASSeeh and Dilam. Other towns include Sulamiyya, Yamamah, and al-Hayathim, as well as many other smaller villages and hamlets. The modern city grew out of Al-Seeh.
The Kharj region is defined largely by the wide valley known as Wadi al-Sahba (sometimes known as "Wadi
al-Kharj"), where the floods of many other wadis, such as Wadi Hanifa
, are deposited. In addition, there were historically several fresh water springs (called asyah or uyun) that flowed towards the surface through apertures in the earth. As a result, the Kharj district has historically been one of the richest locations in Arabia in water resources, and has supported grain
production since ancient times. However, springs of al-Kharj, like those of neighboring al-Aflaj have completely dried up in the last two decades.
In previous time periods, the district was more often known as Jaww, Jaww al-Yamamah, or Al-Khadharim, though the name "Al-Kharj" was also known. The pre-Islamic legend of the tribes of Tasm and Jadis, is set in the Kharj district. At the beginning of Islam, al-Kharj was inhabited by the Bakr
tribes, especially the Banu Hanifa
. In 862
, the Alid
clan of the Ukhaydhirites fled to al-Kharj from the Hejaz
, and made its main city, Al-Khidhrima, the capital of a small state.
In the 18th century, the Kharj district was, along with the town of Riyadh
, the most stubborn foe of the First Saudi State
, and was among the very last areas of Najd
to fall under Saudi rule. However, the district later became among the most loyal regions to the Al Saud, providing refuge to Turki ibn Abdallah
from the Egypt
ian occupation in the 1820s, and joining Ibn Saud's campaigns in the early 20th century at an early date.
Today, Kharj houses a governmental farm, among the oldest of its kind in the country. Kharj oasis produces dates, vegetables (including carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce) and fruits (including oranges, melons and grapes). There is also livestock and poultry, as well as horse breeding. There are also large industries for processed food.
Kharj has excellent connections to other urban centres in the country, using the system of highways, railroad and airports of the capital, Riyadh, which is 50 km northwest. Kharj lies on the route to the regions of the cities Abha, 800 km, Khamis Mushayt, 775 km, and Najran, 800 km, all southwest.
Kharj is located to an area of deepwater pools. There is also a water tower with a restaurant.
One of the main RSAF
bases, Prince Sultan Air Base
24°03′48"N 47°34′50"E, is located in Al-Kharj, which is home for several fleets of F-15
s. Al-Kharj was home to about 60,000 coalition forces during the 1991 Gulf War.
Governorates of Saudi Arabia
||Governorates are the second level of regional administration within Saudi Arabia. Each of Saudi Arabia's 13 emirates is sub-divided into governorates. Governorates are further sub-divided into sub-governorates , though some sub-governorates report directly to the emirate capital rather than to...
in central Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
. The population of the governorate as a whole was 623,394 according to the 2004 census, 75,716 of whom were non-Saudis. The city is located at around 24°8′54"N 47°18′18"E.
Kharj's status as a city is recent, as it originally referred to a large region made up of a number of separate small towns. The largest towns historically were ASSeeh and Dilam. Other towns include Sulamiyya, Yamamah, and al-Hayathim, as well as many other smaller villages and hamlets. The modern city grew out of Al-Seeh.
The Kharj region is defined largely by the wide valley known as Wadi al-Sahba (sometimes known as "Wadi
Wadi
Wadi is the Arabic term traditionally referring to a valley. In some cases, it may refer to a dry riverbed that contains water only during times of heavy rain or simply an intermittent stream.-Variant names:...
al-Kharj"), where the floods of many other wadis, such as Wadi Hanifa
Wadi Hanifa
Wadi Hanifa is a wadi or valley in the Nejd region in central Saudi Arabia. The valley runs for a length of from north to south, cutting through the city of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia...
, are deposited. In addition, there were historically several fresh water springs (called asyah or uyun) that flowed towards the surface through apertures in the earth. As a result, the Kharj district has historically been one of the richest locations in Arabia in water resources, and has supported grain
Cereal
Cereals are grasses cultivated for the edible components of their grain , composed of the endosperm, germ, and bran...
production since ancient times. However, springs of al-Kharj, like those of neighboring al-Aflaj have completely dried up in the last two decades.
In previous time periods, the district was more often known as Jaww, Jaww al-Yamamah, or Al-Khadharim, though the name "Al-Kharj" was also known. The pre-Islamic legend of the tribes of Tasm and Jadis, is set in the Kharj district. At the beginning of Islam, al-Kharj was inhabited by the Bakr
Banu Bakr
Banu Bakr ibn Wa'il or Banu Bakr, son of Wa'il were an Arabian tribe belonging to the large Rabi'ah branch of Adnanite tribes, which also included 'Anizzah, Taghlib, and Bani Hanifa. The tribe is reputed to have engaged in a 40-year war before Islam with its cousins from Taghlib, known as the War...
tribes, especially the Banu Hanifa
Banu Hanifa
Banu Hanifa were an ancient Arab tribe inhabiting the area of al-Yamama in the central region of modern-day Saudi Arabia. The tribe belonged to the great Rabi'ah branch of North Arabian tribes, which also included 'Anizzah, Abd al-Qays, Bakr, and Taghlib...
. In 862
862
Year 862 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Ashot I becomes the first king of Armenia's Bagratuni dynasty.* Aed Finliath is crowned High King of Ireland....
, the Alid
Alid
The Alid dynasties descended from Ali ibn Abi Talib, son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Shia Muslims consider him the First Imam appointed by Muhammad and the first rightful caliph. The Alid are followers of Ali ibn Abi Talib and his sons....
clan of the Ukhaydhirites fled to al-Kharj from the Hejaz
Hejaz
al-Hejaz, also Hijaz is a region in the west of present-day Saudi Arabia. Defined primarily by its western border on the Red Sea, it extends from Haql on the Gulf of Aqaba to Jizan. Its main city is Jeddah, but it is probably better known for the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina...
, and made its main city, Al-Khidhrima, the capital of a small state.
In the 18th century, the Kharj district was, along with the town of Riyadh
Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a...
, the most stubborn foe of the First Saudi State
First Saudi State
The First Saudi State was established in the year 1744 when imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab and Prince Muhammad ibn Saud formed an alliance to establish a religious & political sovereignty determined to cleanse the Arabian Peninsula of heretical practices and deviations from orthodox Islam...
, and was among the very last areas of Najd
Najd
Najd or Nejd , literally Highland, is the central region of the Arabian Peninsula.-Boundaries :The Arabic word nejd literally means "upland" and was once applied to a variety of regions within the Arabian Peninsula...
to fall under Saudi rule. However, the district later became among the most loyal regions to the Al Saud, providing refuge to Turki ibn Abdallah
Turki ibn Abdallah
*Fahd bin Turki*Jiluwi bin Turki*Faisal bin Turki*Abdallah bin TurkiTurki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad was the founder of the Second Saudi State and ruled the area of Najd during the period from 1821-1834 following administration by the Ottoman Empire.-Kingship:Leadership of the House of Saud passed...
from the Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian occupation in the 1820s, and joining Ibn Saud's campaigns in the early 20th century at an early date.
Today, Kharj houses a governmental farm, among the oldest of its kind in the country. Kharj oasis produces dates, vegetables (including carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce) and fruits (including oranges, melons and grapes). There is also livestock and poultry, as well as horse breeding. There are also large industries for processed food.
Kharj has excellent connections to other urban centres in the country, using the system of highways, railroad and airports of the capital, Riyadh, which is 50 km northwest. Kharj lies on the route to the regions of the cities Abha, 800 km, Khamis Mushayt, 775 km, and Najran, 800 km, all southwest.
Kharj is located to an area of deepwater pools. There is also a water tower with a restaurant.
One of the main RSAF
Royal Saudi Air Force
The Royal Saudi Air Force , is the aviation branch of the Saudi Arabian armed forces. The RSAF has developed from a largely defensive military force into one with an advanced offensive capability...
bases, Prince Sultan Air Base
Prince Sultan Air Base
Prince Sultan Air Base is an air base located at Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.There was formerly a large United States presence there during Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The U.S. presence was predominantly that of multiple U.S. Air Force flying units, augmented by a...
24°03′48"N 47°34′50"E, is located in Al-Kharj, which is home for several fleets of F-15
F-15 Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
s. Al-Kharj was home to about 60,000 coalition forces during the 1991 Gulf War.