Baljurashi

Baljurashi or Biljurashi (Arabic: بلجرشي‎‎) is a city in Al Bahah Region, south-western Saudi Arabia. It is located at around 19°51′34″N 41°33′26″E / 19.85944°N 41.55722°E in the elevation of cca 2000 metres. It was the capital of the region which includes the tribes of Ghamid and Zahran. It is a medium-sized city in Al Bahah Region. The temperature usually varies between 2C in winter and 30C in summer. The best time for a visit is from mid-August till the end of September. Most of the native people of Baljurashi live outside it; however, a great number of them spend their summer vacations in the city, which explains the massive increase in population number during summer.

The local people of Baljurshi have contributed to progress in Saudi Arabia as much as many other tribes. Some of the famous traders in Saudi Arabia are from Baljurashi. The people of Baljurashi are well-educated because Balkurashi was the enlightenment center in the south of Saudi Arabia and the center of the old trade route for hundreds of years. A large population from Baljurashi's locals have been known as academics in the universities and colleges throughout the kingdom. They are famous for their contribution to industrial and commercial firms in Saudi Arabia, especially the national oil firm ARAMCO, where many vice presidents are from Baljurashi. Ghamid has been known since the time of the Prophet Muhammad and many are narrators to his Hadeeth. It is considered to be a tribal city dominated by the Ghamdi tribe, which is one of the large tribes in Saudi Arabia.

"A major summer resort located on Sarah Mountains and one of the most beautiful southern cities on the road linking Taif with Abha. Its nice forests like Raghadan makes you disbelieve that you are in Saudi Arabia. It is the land of one thousand and one watchtowers. Baljurashi is a sister town at the head of an ancient seasonal camel trail so steep that is named “camel steps“. The camel steps of Baljourashi are a set of man made steps that allowed camels to rise up this escarpment. They extend all of the way down to the bottom."^[1]

Hospital

Baljurashi Hospital is a Ministry of Health (MOH) owned and regulated public service hospital in al Baha region of KSA. It is a 200-bed multispeciality hospital with an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), HDU, and well-equipped ER.

Wildlife

The Arabian Leopard is classified as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List and listed in CITES Appendix 1. The Arabian leopard was reported in Wadi Khatayn, south of Baljurashi, in 2002, and the species was confirmed by killings, several reports of sightings from different witnesses, livestock killed and the presences of tracks and signs. However, camera traps deployed there during 2002 and 2003 failed to obtain pictures of leopards.^[2]

References

1. "Al Baha City Profile." The Saudi Network. 2012?
2. "Status of the Arabian Leopard in Saudi Arabia." Cat News. Special Issue No. 1. "Status and Conservation of the Leopard on the Arabian Peninsula." ISSN 1027-2992. 2006. Page 12.