Al-Hasa
From Freepedia
The great oasis of al-Hasa (also spelled Hassa and al-Ahsa, in Arabic الأحساء ) is located in the desert in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, about 60 km from the coast of the Arabian Gulf. Some of the world's largest oil fields can be found in the surrounding region.
The name Hasa is also given to one of the biggest cities in the al-Hasa oasis known as Hofuf, with a population of more than 2 million[1], of which the majority are Shi'ite Muslims. One campus of a major Saudi university, King Faisal University founded in 1975, is located in al-Hasa consisting the faculties of agriculture, veterinary medicine and animal resources, with the other faculties in Dammam. The Hofuf campus also has facilities where Saudi women can study medicine, dentistry and home economics.
There are a number of traditional Saudi villages including Al-Taraf, which is famous for its four mountains and its zoo, in the oasis. There are a number of other villages including: 1. Bani-Maan 2. Al-garah 3. Al-Hulailia 4. al-kilabiyah 5. Al-Batalliyah 6. al-shaharyen and many others.
The extensive oasis is renowned for its long history of settlement and culture. Many pictures of old Hassa and the Eastern Province were taken by the Danish explorer Knud Holmboe (1902-1931) in his travels through the Middle East.
See also
- [Google Map of the Area]
- wikicities:c:en.hassa:Main page (not yet in use)
- wikicities:c:ar.hassa:الصفحة الرئيسية
Notes
- ^ Actual population unconfirmed, see www.world-gazetteer.com for details.
