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Rafha
City and Governorate in Northern Borders, Saudi Arabia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Rafha (Arabic: رفحاء) is a city and governorate in northern Saudi Arabia. It is part of the Northern Borders Province and is located near the border with Iraq. As of the 2022 census, it has a population of 84,536.[1]
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History
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The site originates in the 15th Century AD.[2]
The city started to grow between 1949 and 1950, especially following the establishment of the Trans-Arabian pipeline. Those in charge of the pipeline decided to establish various stations to strengthen the pumping mechanism and rate in this area. The area, during this period, was initially called the "Pipeline Governorate". The job opportunities available in this station gradually attracted people to it until these population centers turned into one of the main cities along the pipeline line.[3]
Even though people started to move in 1949,[3] the city itself was founded in 1950, under the reign of King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud.[4] At this date, Mohammed Al-Alawi became the first governor of the area, and did so for the following 17 years, until 1967.[5]
By the 1950s, the "old market" in the area opened up to the public and supplied the population of the city and nearby towns in the region, becoming one of the significant landmark of the city.[6]
In total there were three official visits by two kings of Saudi Arabia, including Ibn Saud and King Salman.[7]
The city hosted Iraqi refugees since the start of the Gulf War up to November 2008.[8]
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Overview
Rafha is the second-largest city in the Northern Borders Province, after Arar. It is situated approximately halfway between Hafar al-Batin and Arar, making it a key location in the province.[9]
Etymology
The name "Rafha" originates from a nearby hill (known locally as a qārah) situated to the northwest of the current city. The hill itself was named after a woman called Rafha, who lived with her family in the vicinity. According to local tradition, there was a small depression (known as a quwayrah) to the east of the area that was also called Rafha. When a well was later dug beside this location, it was named "Bir Rafha" (Rafha Well). Over time, the entire settlement came to be known by this name.
Climate
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Köppen climate classification classifies its climate as hot desert (BWh).[10][11]
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References
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