UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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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°E |
Al-Ahsa Oasis (Arabic: الْأَحْسَاء, al-ʾAhsā), also known as al-Ḥasāʾ (الْحَسَاء) or Hajar (هَجَر), is an oasis and historical region in eastern Saudi Arabia. Al-Ahsa Governorate, which makes up much of the country's Eastern Province, is named after it. The oasis is located about 60 km (37 miles) inland from the coast of the Persian Gulf. Al-Ahsa Oasis comprises four main cities and 22 villages. The cities include Al-Mubarraz and Al-Hofuf, two of the largest cities in Saudi Arabia.[1]