Saturday 20 July 2013

Geography

Climate

Classified as having a hot desert climate (Köppen: BWh). Summer temperatures are very hot, approaching 50 °C occasionally. The average high temperature in July is 45.5 °C. Winters are warm with cold, windy nights. The overall climate is arid, receiving very little rainfall, but the city receives a fair amount of rain in March and April. It is also known to have many dust storms. The dust is often so thick that visibility is under 10 meters.

Climate data for Riyadh Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 31.5 (88.7) 34.8 (94.6) 38.0 (100.4) 43.0 (109.4) 46.1 (115) 47.0 (116.6) 48.0 (118.4) 47.8 (118) 44.5 (112.1) 42.0 (107.6) 39.0 (102.2) 33.0 (91.4) 48.0 (118.4) Average high °C (°F) 20.1 (68.2) 23.0 (73.4) 27.6 (81.7) 34.0 (93.2) 40.6 (105.1) 42.7 (108.9) 43.4 (110.1) 43.2 (109.8) 41.3 (106.3) 37.1 (98.8) 28.6 (83.5) 21.0 (69.8) 33.1 (91.6) Daily mean °C (°F) 14.4 (57.9) 16.9 (62.4) 21.1 (70) 26.9 (80.4) 32.9 (91.2) 35.4 (95.7) 36.6 (97.9) 36.5 (97.7) 33.3 (91.9) 28.2 (82.8) 21.4 (70.5) 16.1 (61) 26.6 (79.9) Average low °C (°F) 6.9 (44.4) 9.0 (48.2) 15.0 (59) 21.3 (70.3) 26.7 (80.1) 28.6 (83.5) 31.1 (88) 29.5 (85.1) 26.7 (80.1) 22.9 (73.2) 14.3 (57.7) 8.4 (47.1) 19.9 (67.8) Record low °C (°F) −2.0 (28.4) 0.5 (32.9) 4.5 (40.1) 11.0 (51.8) 18.0 (64.4) 21.0 (69.8) 23.6 (74.5) 22.7 (72.9) 16.1 (61) 13.0 (55.4) 7.0 (44.6) 1.4 (34.5) −2.0 (28.4) Rainfall mm (inches) 11.7 (0.461) 10.5 (0.413) 24.7 (0.972) 23.3 (0.917) 2.6 (0.102) 0.0 (0) 0.0 (0) 0.0 (0) 0.0 (0) 0.7 (0.028) 6.9 (0.272) 13.0 (0.512) 94.6 (3.724) Avg. precipitation days 5.8 4.8 9.8 9.0 3.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.2 3.4 6.3 45.2  % humidity 47 38 34 28 17 11 10 12 14 21 36 47 26 Source: Downtown Riyadh, seen from the International Space Station City districts

Riyadh is divided into 15 branch municipalities, in addition to the Diplomatic Quarter. Each branch municipality in turn contains several districts, though some districts are divided between more than one branch municipality.

The branch municipalities are Al-Shemaysi, Irqah, Al-Ma'athar, Al-Olayya, Al-Aziziyya, Al-Malaz, Al-Selayy, Nemar, Al-Neseem, Al-Shifa, Al-'Urayja, Al-Bat'ha, Al-Ha'ir, Al-Rawdha, and Al-Shimal ("the North"). Although the Riyadh Development Authority conducts projects in Dir'iyyah, administratively, Al-Diriyah is a separate city outside of the Riyadh Municipality and is the seat of its own governorate.

According to the website of the Riyadh Municipality, Riyadh contains more than 130 districts.

Examples of some of the main districts of Riyadh are the following:

Al-Bat'ha Al-Dirah (old Riyadh) Mi'kal Manfuha Manfuha Al-Jadidah (منفوحة الجديدة – "new Manfuha") Al-'Oud Al-Margab Salam Jabrah Al-Yamamah 'Otayyigah Al-'Olayya & Sulaymaniyyah Al-'Olayya Al-Sulaymaniyyah Al Izdihar King Fahd District Al-Masif Al-Murooj Al-Mugharrazat Al-Wurood Nemar Nemar Dharat Nemar Tuwaiq Hazm Deerab Irqah Irqah Al-Khozama Diplomatic Quarter

Al-Shemaysi Al-Shemaysi Eleyshah Al-Badi'ah Syah Al-Nasriyyah Umm Sleym Al-Ma'athar Umm Al-Hamam (East) Al-Ma'athar Al-Olayya Al-Nakheel King Saud University main campus Umm Al-Hamam (East) Umm Al-Hamam (West) Al-Ma'athar Al-Shimali ("North Ma'athar") Al-Rahmaniyya Al-Muhammadiyya Al-Ra'id Al-Ha'ir Al-Ha'ir Al-Ghannamiyyah Uraydh Al-'Aziziyyah Ad Dar Al Baida Taybah Al Mansouriyah

Al-Malaz Al-Malaz Al-Rabwah Jarir Al-Murabba' Al-Shifa Al-Masani' Al-Shifa Al-Mansuriyya Al-Marwah Al-Urayja Al-Urayja Al-Urayja Al-Wusta ("Mid-Urayja") Al-Urayja (West) Shubra Dharat Laban Hijrat Laban As-Suwaidi As-Suwaidi (West) Sultanah Al-Shemal Al-Malga Al-Sahafa Hittin Al-Wadi Al-Ghadir Al-Nafil Imam Muhammad ibn Saud University main campus Al-Qayrawan Al-Aqiq

Al-Naseem Al-Naseem (East) Al-Naseem (West) As-Salam Al-Manar Al-Rimayah Al-Nadheem Al-Rayyan Al-Rawdhah Al-Rawdhah Al-Qadisiyah Al-M'aizliyyah Al-Nahdhah Gharnatah (Granada) Qortubah (Cordoba) Al-Hamra Al-Qouds Al-Selayy Al-Selayy Ad Difa' Al Iskan Khashm Al-'Aan Al-Sa'adah Al-Fayha Al-Manakh

Olaya District is the commercial heart of the city, with accommodation, entertainment, dining and shopping options. The Kingdom Center, Al Faisalyah and Al-Tahlya Street are the area's most prominent landmarks.

The Diplomatic Quarter, or DQ as it is popularly known, is home to foreign embassies and international organizations as well as residential structures and malls. With lush gardens and numerous sports facilities, it is also one of the city's greenest areas. It is especially known for its fine architecture, and is considered a model for other Islamic cities around the world. Despite its name, the special privileges offered in the Diplomatic Quarter constitute a controversial issue. All Saudi laws must be obeyed and there are occasional patrols by the Mutaween, or Saudi religious police. However, foreign diplomats and their families are allowed certain privileges and it is not very uncommon to see foreign diplomats and their wives strolling on the streets of the DQ in shorts and short-sleeve shirts.

Riyadh, seen again from the ISS, at night Cable-stayed bridge in Riyadh

The centre of the city, Al-Bathaa and Al-Dirah, is also its oldest part. At its heart lies the 19th-century Al Masmak fort, which is one of the city's major attractions; to the west lies the Riyadh Museum of History and Archeology and the Murabba' Palace, an old residence of first Saudi king, Ibn Saud, now a museum. The Qasr Al-Hukm, or Palace of Justice, is nearby. It is here that the Governor of Riyadh Province meets citizens, listens to their grievances and problems, and stays abreast of all aspects of the region's life. The Al-Dira area also contains commercial markets and traditional buildings, such as the Al-Mu'eiqilia market and the city's Grand Mosque.

No comments:

Post a Comment