Northern Borders Province[a] is a province in Saudi Arabia, situated in the northern region, bordering Iraq to the north and northwest, and Jordan to the west.[1]
Historically, the location of the modern-day province served as a key passage for caravans and trade between the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, and Mesopotamia. It was established as an official administrative province in 1970, and its proximity to international borders has given it strategic importance since the formation of the Sultanate of Nejd in the early 20th century. In recent decades, the province has witnessed growing development in infrastructure and industry, particularly in mining, as part of national efforts to stimulate growth in northern Saudi Arabia.[2]
Geography
The Northern Borders Province is located in the far north of Saudi Arabia. It shares international borders with Jordan to the northwest and Iraq to the north. Domestically, it borders the Eastern Province to the south, Al-Jawf Province to the west, Hail Province and Al-Qassim Province to the southwest. The province covers an area of approximately 104,000 square kilometers, making up about 5.3% of the total area of Saudi Arabia.[2]
The province experiences a continental desert climate, with hot summers and cold winters—temperatures can drop below freezing in winter, and occasional snowfall is observed on elevated terrain. Rainfall is sparse and mainly occurs during the winter and spring seasons.[3]
Geologically, the province lies on the Arabian Shelf, and is known for its rich mineral deposits, particularly phosphate. It hosts the Waad Al-Shamal Industrial City, a major mining and industrial hub established to support Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification, with investments exceeding SAR 85 billion.[2]
The Northern Borders Province also includes several protected natural reserves, such as Mu'ayla, Al-Owaisi, Al-Ghurabah, and a portion of the Harrat Al-Harrah reserve. These areas are home to desert wildlife and are associated with traditional hunting practices like falconry.[2]
Etymology
The name Al-Ḥudūd Aš-Šamāliyya (Arabic: الحدود الشمالية) translates literally to "the Northern Borders" in English. It is derived from two Arabic words: al-ḥudūd (الحدود), meaning "the borders" or "boundaries," and aš-šamāliyya (الشمالية), meaning "northern." The name reflects the province's geographical position in the far north of Saudi Arabia, where it borders Iraq and Jordan. The term emphasizes the region's role as a frontier zone and its historical significance as a point of connection and transition between the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant.
The province is connected to Iraq via the Jadidat Arar border crossing. The crossing was closed in 1990 following the Gulf War, except during the Hajj season. In 2017, it was partially reopened for limited travel, and it was fully reopened on 18 November 2020, allowing travelers, visitors, and commercial transport between Saudi Arabia and Iraq.[4]
The Northern Borders Province is served by Northern Borders University (NBU), the only university in the province. It was established in 2007 by royal decree following a visit by the late KingAbdullah. The university's main campus is located in Arar, with additional branches in Rafha, Turaif, and Al-Uwayqilah. It offers a variety of academic programs across disciplines such as medicine, engineering, computer science, business, and education. The university serves both men and women.[5]
The province also has a network of public schools administered by the Ministry of Education, serving students at the elementary, intermediate, and secondary levels. Schools are distributed across urban centers and smaller towns to ensure access to education for all residents.
In addition to the university, the province hosts several institutions for technical and vocational education and training. These institutions are managed by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC),[6]
The province consists of three governorates, with Arar City serving as the seat of the province. The governorates can be categorized into Category A and Category B based on the availability of services.
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