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Part 1: Introduction
Arriyadh Province is centrally located in the heart of the
Kingdom. The area of the region is estimated to be 375,000
square kilometres and includes 47 cities and 1,383 residential
communities that are located outside of the Arriyadh
metropolitan area.
Arriyadh Province is characterised by the diversity of its
environmental features. The most significant of these is the
Najd plateau and in addition is Wadi Hanifah, Wadi Addwasir
and the Tuwaiq Escarpment in the north. The region forms
a relatively harmonious geographical formation comprising
unique flora and fauna habitats.
The environmental system has been adversely affected over time
by urban expansion and its related activities such as industry,
mining, agriculture, grazing and forestry.
Within the Arriyadh Urban Limits area the vegetation takes
a variety of forms including formal landscaped areas, gardens
and green spaces. Beyond the Urban Limits natural vegetation
is present in rangelands, green lands (Rawdha) and across the
valleys and plains. Plant cover is found within both rural and
agricultural areas.
Given the importance of vegetation as a critical environmental
element necessary to sustain human life there is a strong
recognition of the need to strengthen the efforts to restore
vegetation and rehabilitate and reclaim degraded areas with
plant cover.