Al-Hasa facts for kids
Al-Ahsa, also known as Al-Hasa, is a very special green area in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia. It's like a huge garden in the middle of the desert! This amazing oasis is about 60 kilometers (about 37 miles) away from the Persian Gulf coast.
Al-Ahsa was once part of a larger historical region called Al-Bahrayn. This old region included the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, stretching towards the borders of Oman. It even included the island that is now modern-day Bahrain.
With an area of about 85 square kilometers (about 33 square miles), Al-Ahsa Oasis is the largest oasis in the entire world! Imagine that! It's home to more than 2.5 million palm trees, especially date palms. These trees are very important because they provide delicious dates.
This oasis gets its water from a huge underground water source called an aquifer. Plus, over 280 natural springs bubble up from the ground, providing even more water. All this water allows farmers to grow crops and plants all year long. This is amazing, especially since the area around Al-Ahsa is mostly sandy desert.
Main Cities and Villages
Al-Ahsa is not just a green area; it also has several important cities and many smaller villages.
Al Hofuf
- Al Hofuf is the main city and the capital of the Al-Ahsa region.
- It is famous for its many traditional markets, where you can find all sorts of interesting things.
Al Mubarraz
- Al Mubarraz is another large city in the area.
- It also has many big markets, making it a busy place for shopping.
Al-Omran
- Al-Omran is a town that includes more than 15 smaller villages.
- This area is well known for its many farms, showing how important agriculture is here.
Shaybah
- Shaybah is an oil town.
- It is located in a very remote and empty part of the desert called the Empty Quarter.
Other Villages
- Besides these main cities, Al-Ahsa has more than 50 other villages.
- These villages are often surrounded by farms and palm groves, making the oasis a lively place.
