معلومات عن مدينه الرياض بالانجليزي
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is
also the capital of Ar Riyad Province and belongs to the historical region of Nejd.
It is situated in the centre of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau and
is home to over 4,260,000[1] people (around 20% of the nation’s population).
Name
The name Riyadh is derived from plural of the Arabic word rawdha, meaning a place
of gardens and trees. With many wadis (former water courses, now dry) in the vicinity,
Riyadh has been, since antiquity, a fertile area set in the heartland of the Arabian
Peninsula.
History
In pre-Islamic times, the settlement at the site was called Hajar. The site lies at
the confluence of several wadis, chief among them Wadi Hanifah, and much underground water is
accessible at the site. The settlement was historically famous for its dates and orchards. The
modern name was first applied to only certain parts of the settlement where orchards predominated.
Gradually the name was used for the entire settlement.
By the end of the 18th century, Riyadh was part of the First Saudi State,
with the capital at Diriyah. After the destruction of Diriyah in 1818 by the Turks,
the capital moved to Riyadh.
The city was seized in 1902 by Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud. He
went on to establish the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, with Riyadh the
capital of the nation. The diplomatic capital remained at Jeddah until 1982. Recently the city
has experienced very high rates of population growth, which is indicated by the poor quality
of development since the 1970s. In the 1960s, its population was 50,000. According to most
recent sources, today it is home to over 4.5 million inhabitants.
City districts
Once a small walled city, Riyadh has developed into a dynamic metropolis over the years.
The first major thrust came during the oil boom of the 1950s, when older structures
were demolished to make way for commercial development. Today, it is one of the fastest
growing and most prosperous cities in the world.
The capital and largest city of the Kingdom, Riyadh is divided into 17 municipalities. Each
contributes in its own way to the vibrant character of the city, which boasts a
fairly unique history and colorful past. The city has grown both culturally and commercially over
the years. Along with the urban areas of Dhahran, Dammam, and Al-Khobar, Riyadh has become
a focal point for both travel and trade. On the northwestern outskirts of the city
lay the ruins of the former Saudi capital of Diriyah.
In addition to being the center of power, the city is also a commercial hub.
Numerous educational, financial, agricultural, cultural, technical, and social organizations have set up base here. The
most striking aspect of Riyadh is its architecture, which is a vibrant juxtaposition of the
old and the new – contemporary high-rises tower over buildings exuding old world charm.
The bustling Olaya District is the heart and soul of this city. This commercial and
residential district offers accommodation, entertainment, dining and shopping options. The Kingdom Center, Al Faisalyah and
Al-Tahlya Street are the area’s landmarks.
Noted structures
The Riyadh TV Tower is a 170 metre high television tower with an observation deck
at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Riyadh TV Tower was built between 1978 and 1981
The Al Faisaliyah Center was the first skyscraper constructed in Saudi Arabia, and the second
tallest building in the country after the Kingdom Center. The golden ball that lies atop
the tower is said to be inspired by a ballpoint pen. Inside the ball is
a restaurant; at ground level, a shopping center with major world brands
Kingdom Centre: Current tallest building in Saudi Arabia
Al Rajhi Tower: Tallest building in Saudi Arabia when completed in 2009
King Khalid International Airport
King Fahd Stadium
Major areas include Olaya, in downtown, Dabab, near the Old Airport (King Fahd Airbase) and
Batha, the old downtown part of the city
