Abha
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Abha أبها |
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|---|---|
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 Abha
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| Coordinates: 18°13′1″N 42°30′19″E / 18.21694°N 42.50528°ECoordinates: 18°13′1″N 42°30′19″E / 18.21694°N 42.50528°E | |
| Country |
 Saudi Arabia
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| Province | Asir |
| Government | |
| • Prince | Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud |
| Elevation | 2,270 m (7,450 ft) |
| Population (2013) | |
| • Total | 750,474 |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) |
| • Summer (DST) | EAT (UTC+3) |
Abha (Arabic: أبها Abhā) is the capital of Asir province in Saudi Arabia. It is situated 2,200 meters above sea level in the fertile mountains of south-western Saudi Arabia, near Asir National Park. Abha's mild climate makes it a popular tourist destination for Saudis.
Abha was the capital city for the Prince of Asir Ibn Ayde under the authority of the Ottoman Empire until World War I. In 1918, the Prince of Asir, Yahya bin Hasun Al Ayde grandson of Ibn Ayed, returned to his family throne conquered in Abha with complete independence. In 1920, the Asir area joined with Ibn Saud during the Unification of Saudi Arabia.
Abha has many historic places such as forts and other locations thanks to the regions cultural heritage.
A coastal road connecting Jeddah and Abha was completed in 1979. A SAPTCO bus station connects Abha to other destinations within Saudi Arabia.
Abha Regional Airport (Arabic: مطار أبهـــا, IATA: AHB[3], ICAO: OEAB) is Abha's main airport. International connections are available to Yemen (Sana'a), Egypt (Cairo), Qatar (Doha) and the UAE (Dubai, Sharjah), as well as to other destinations within Saudi Arabia.
Construction of Dutch-designed Abha Airport began in mid-1975, and flights began in 1977. Before construction of the airport, domestic flights were serviced by the military airport near Khamis Mushait by Ali Misfer Ibn Misfer who was founder of Aviation in Abha in 1945.
The city of Abha is composed of four quarters, the largest of which contains a fortress. Hilltop fortresses are a characteristic feature of the city.Shadda Palace, built in 1927, is now a museum displaying local handicrafts and household items. Other notable buildings in Abha include the Abha Great Mosque, the Al-Tahy restaurant, the Abha Palace Hotel, and the funpark next to Lake Sadd. The New Abha five-star hotel is a recent construction on the lake, 1.5 km southwest of the town. The head office and the main printing presses of Al Watan, a major Saudi daily, are in Abha.
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Wikipedia