|
|
Khamis Mushayt
Arabic: khamīs mushayt
Other spellings: Khemis; Mushait; Khamis City
City in southwestern Saudi Arabia with 300,000 inhabitants (2003 estimate), at an elevation of 2,060 metres, in the mountainous Asir province.
The city is often referred to as just Khamis, meaning Thursday, a reflection of the area having a weekly market by the Mushayt clan every Thursday.
Traditionally, Khamis Mushayt has been the centre of an agricultural region, benefitting from the rain in the mountains and the mild highland climate. The main crops are wheat, rice, coffee and henna. The King Khalid Air Force Base has become the cornerstone of the modern economy of Khamis Mushayt, the sole cause for the city's strong growth.
Khamis Mushayt has good road connections to other urban centres of the country. The province capital, Abha, is 25 km west, where also the national airport is located, Najran 150 km southeast, Riaydh 825 km southwest.
Little of the traditional architecture still stands in Khamis Mushayt, and the modern city has the same look and feel as other cities in the country.
Weather can be dramatic here, with heavy rains and thunderstorms, especially in March and August.
© Copyright 1996-2008 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
Bottom photo: Tor Eigeland/PADIA/Saudi Aramco
|
|
|
