Al-Hassa
| UNESCO World Heritage site | |
|---|---|
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Jawatha Mosque in Al-Ahsa
| |
| Location | Hofuf, Al-Ahsa Governorate, Saudi Arabia |
| Criteria | Cultural: (iii), (iv), (v) |
| Reference | 1563 |
| Inscription | 2018 (42nd Session) |
| Area | 8,544 ha |
| Buffer zone | 21,556 ha |
| Coordinates | 25°25′46″N 49°37′19″E / 25.42944°N 49.62194°ECoordinates: 25°25′46″N 49°37′19″E / 25.42944°N 49.62194°E |
  Location of Al-Hasa in Saudi Arabia. | |
Al-Ahsa, Al-Hasa, or Hadjar (Arabic: الأحساء al-Aḥsāʾ, locally al-Ahasā) is a traditional oasis historical region in eastern Saudi Arabia whose name is used by the Al-Ahsa Governorate, which makes up much of that country's Eastern Province. The oasis is located about 60 km inland from the coast of the Persian Gulf.
Al-Ahsa is part of the region known historically for its high skill in tailoring, especially in making bisht, a traditional men's cloak. Al-Bahrain geographical province is in Eastern Arabia, which includes the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula down to the borders of the UAE, Oman, and also includes the island of Awal (modern-day Bahrain). Historically, Al-Ahsa was the main city in Al-Bahrain province, making up most of its population and providing most of its agricultural output.
The site has become a World Heritage site in 2018.
Al-Ahsa is a plural word of "Al-Hisa" (Arabic: الحِسَى) which refers to the accumulated sand with solid underneath. Thus, if the rain comes down, the sand would prevent the sun from drying the water up, and the solid base would stop it from submerging. Hence, the site would become when drilled like a sweet cold spring.
Al-Ahsa has been inhabited since prehistoric times, due to its abundance of water in an otherwise arid region. Natural fresh-water springs have surfaced at oases in the region for millennia, encouraging human habitation and agricultural efforts (date palm cultivation especially) since prehistoric times. Recently, Al-Ahsa Oasis has been nominated as one of the seven wonders of the world.
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Wikipedia