Qassim, Saudi Arabia

Al Qassim Province (also spelled Al Qaseem, Al Qasim, or Qassim is one of the thirteen administrative provinces of Saudi Arabia. Located at the heart of the country, and almost in the center of the Arabian Peninsula. It has a population of 1,016,756 and an area of 65,000 km². It is known to be the "alimental basket" of the country, for its agricultural asset. It is the seventh populated province in the country after the province of Jizan. It has more than 400 cities, towns, villages, and Bedouin settlements, Ten of which are recognized as governorates. Its capital city is Buraydah, which is inhabited by approximately 49% of the region's total population. The governor of the province is prince Faisal Bin Bandar Al Saud. Al Qassim is derived from the word "Qassimah" which means in Arabic "a fertile land" or "a land that is occupied with trees". The region is actually known to contain a large group of Calligonum plants such comosum (or Arta between locals).