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| A system of wells and ancient irrigation canals known as qanats means that the oasis of Sakakah and Jouf have remained verdant and fertile and the area continues to produce large amounts of wheat, citrus fruit and olives. It also supports over half a million mature date palms. |
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The 108,000 square kilometers of Jouf Province ranges from plateau to valleys and fertile plains. Located at the northern curve of the Greater Nufud Desert, there is evidence of human inhabitation in the area dating back over 750,000 years.
Jouf, meaning "the hollow", was formerly known as Dumat al-Jandal and famous for being the main town on the ancient trade route that once linked Mesopotamia, Persia and Syria with Arabia and Yemen, and was vital to the spread of Islam as the gateway to Palestine and Syria.
Dumat al-Jandal means "Dawma of the stone", and the name comes from the local belief that the town was first settled by Dawma, son of Ismail and grandson of the prophet Ibrahim. Yet archeologists have found abundant evidence that long before Ismail's time (believed to be around 2000 BC) Jouf's fresh water and fertile soil had proved attractive to settlers. |
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Although the pillars appear to be randomly placed, an aerial view shows that they are in parallel east-west lines, suggesting that they were originally intended as either road markers, or to observe celestial phenomena Read more
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This was a main town on the ancient trade route that linked Mesopotamia, Persia and Syria with Yemen, and was vital to the spread of Islam as the gateway to Palestine and Syria through Wadi al-Sirhan Read more
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The festival lasts two weeks; one for men, one for women. Activities occurring during the festival include a 15km camel racing, competitions for best male and female camel and for highest milk yield Read more
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