Buraidah is the capital of Al-Qassim region in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. The region is known for its agricultural value to Saudi Arabia. In Buraidah, agriculture is still the cornerstone of the economy.
Traditional oasis products of dates, lemons, oranges and other fruits are still important. The modern introduction of wheat production has become so successful that Buraidah is one of the largest producers in the Kingdom, contributing to making Saudi Arabia a net exporter of cereal.
The region hosts more than 8 million palm trees, which produce 205,000 tons of luxury dates annually that are exported regionally and internationally.
Buraidah is surrounded by hills and sandy plateaus. Its agricultural land is very fertile due to the ease of extracting water from the surface, which is covered with a layer of limestone and gypsum rocks.
Buraidah is famous for its dates, and holds an annual date market that usually starts in August and lasts up to two or three months. It is the biggest date market in the world in terms of supply, and offers more than 30 varieties.
ThePlace: Buraidah is the capital of Al-Qassim
ThePlace: Buraidah is the capital of Al-Qassim
- Farmers, traders and consumers descend on the town, known locally as "the city of dates", in the central Qassim region
- The city of dates sells annually about 300,000 tonnes
Striking light pillars phenomenon captivates Northern Borders residents
- The sight captivated residents and visitors alike
RIYADH: A striking astronomical and optical phenomenon was observed in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders Region on Monday, as light pillars, a remarkable natural spectacle, appeared in the sky, drawing the attention of locals and enthusiasts of natural phenomena, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The sight captivated residents and visitors alike, with the interplay of colors and light making for an extraordinary spectacle.
Astronomy Club member Adnan Khalifa said that a light pillar is an optical phenomenon that occurs in the atmosphere as a vertical column of light extending above or below its source. This effect is caused by the reflection of light on tiny ice crystals suspended in clouds or the air.
He added that the light source can be natural, such as the sun, particularly when near the horizon, or the moon. It can also originate from human-made sources, like streetlights, creating a unique and captivating visual display in the sky.
Abouazza El-Mhamdi, associate professor in the physics and astronomy department at King Saud University’s College of Science, told Arab News: “On Monday evening, residents of the Northern Borders Region near Arar witnessed a rare meteorological event — the vibrant light pillars that illuminated the night sky.
“While appearing like a celestial display, this is not a purely astronomical event involving stars or planets, for example, but rather an atmospheric optical phenomenon triggered by an exceptional drop in temperature and perfect wind stillness,” he said.
“The display featured towering vertical beams of white, orange and yellow light, created when ground-based light sources reflected off tiny, flat ice crystals suspended in the freezing air, which acted like a collective mirror,” he added.
“Although these pillars are common in Arctic climates like Canada or Russia, their appearance in Saudi Arabia is a remarkable anomaly, highlighting the unique and intense winter conditions currently affecting the Kingdom’s northern reaches,” the professor said.
Following the inclement weather last week, and as a result of several days of low temperatures, vibrant beams of light shot up into the night sky, creating a stunning display.
The phenomenon, characterized by its colorful vertical light columns, occurs under specific conditions, such as temperatures falling below 0 degrees Celsius, while calm winds are also essential.
The unique ice halo effect forms when moisture in the air condenses into ice crystals, reflecting surrounding lights to create a breathtaking visual display.
