Hejaz Mountains

Hejaz Mountains, a mountain range in western Saudi Arabia, stretches for approximately 600 miles, forming a significant part of the Arabian Peninsula's landscape, near the Red Sea coast, and is home to several notable cities, including Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah. The Hejaz Mountains are also close to the Jordan Rift Valley and the Gulf of Aqaba, and are influenced by the Indian Ocean's monsoon patterns, as well as the Mediterranean Sea's climate. The range is bounded by the Tihamah plain to the west and the Najd plateau to the east, and is near the Asir Mountains and the Hijaz region. The Hejaz Mountains are also near the Suez Canal and the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

Geography

The Hejaz Mountains are a significant geographical feature of western Saudi Arabia, with their rugged terrain and diverse landscape, which is similar to the Syrian Desert and the Arabian Desert. The range is characterized by steep slopes, deep valleys, and narrow plateaus, and is home to several notable peaks, including Jabal Sawda and Jabal Radwa, which are near the Hejaz Railway and the King Abdulaziz University. The Hejaz Mountains are also close to the Farasan Islands and the Dahlak Archipelago, and are influenced by the Eritrean Highlands and the Ethiopian Highlands. The range is drained by several wadis, including Wadi Fatimah and Wadi Qunfudhah, which flow into the Red Sea and are near the Port of Jeddah and the King Fahd Industrial Port.

Geology

The Hejaz Mountains are composed of a variety of rocks, including granite, basalt, and sandstone, which are similar to the rocks found in the Sinai Peninsula and the Negev Desert. The range is also home to several mineral deposits, including copper, gold, and silver, which are found in the Mahd adh Dhahab mine and the Al Hajar mine, near the King Saud University and the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. The Hejaz Mountains are also near the Dead Sea Rift and the Gulf of Suez, and are influenced by the African Plate and the Arabian Plate. The range is also home to several notable geological features, including Jabal Thawr and Jabal Qri, which are near the Mecca Province and the Medina Province.

Climate

The Hejaz Mountains have a hot and dry climate, with very little rainfall, which is similar to the climate of the Atacama Desert and the Australian Outback. The range is influenced by the Indian Ocean's monsoon patterns, as well as the Mediterranean Sea's climate, and is near the Cyclone Nargis and the Cyclone Phet storm tracks. The Hejaz Mountains are also close to the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer, and are influenced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone and the Subtropical High. The range is also home to several notable climate features, including Jabal Arafat and Jabal Uhud, which are near the Hajj pilgrimage route and the Umrah pilgrimage route.

History

The Hejaz Mountains have a rich and diverse history, with several notable civilizations, including the Qedarites, Thamud, and Quraysh, which are mentioned in the Quran and the Hadith. The range is also home to several notable historical sites, including Mecca and Medina, which are near the Masjid al-Haram and the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. The Hejaz Mountains are also close to the Petra archaeological site and the Wadi Rum valley, and are influenced by the Ottoman Empire and the Arab Revolt. The range is also home to several notable historical figures, including Muhammad, Abu Bakr, and Umar ibn Al-Khattab, who are mentioned in the Sira and the Tabaqat.

Flora and Fauna

The Hejaz Mountains are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including several notable species, such as the Arabian leopard, Arabian oryx, and Arabian wolf, which are found in the Asir National Park and the Umm Al Qamari National Park. The range is also home to several notable plant species, including acacia trees, olive trees, and palm trees, which are found in the Wadi Fatimah and the Wadi Qunfudhah. The Hejaz Mountains are also close to the Red Sea Coral Reef and the Gulf of Aden's marine ecosystem, and are influenced by the Indian Ocean's marine life and the Mediterranean Sea's marine life.

Human Settlements

The Hejaz Mountains are home to several notable human settlements, including Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah, which are near the King Abdulaziz International Airport and the Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport. The range is also close to the Taif city and the Al Bahah city, and is influenced by the Saudi Arabian culture and the Islamic culture. The Hejaz Mountains are also home to several notable universities, including King Abdulaziz University and Umm Al-Qura University, which are near the King Saud University and the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. The range is also near the Hajj pilgrimage route and the Umrah pilgrimage route, and is influenced by the Islamic pilgrimage and the Arabian tourism industry. Category:Mountain ranges of Asia