# Mawqaq

Mawqaq is a town in Saudi Arabia's southwestern Ḥaʼil region, situated approximately 80 kilometers from the city center of Ḥaʼil. Mawqaq is one of the oldest and most populous towns in the region, with numerous smaller villages dotting the landscape. It is one of the villages situated within the Ḥaʼil region.
Mawqaq is located 1,200 meters above sea level, on the western slope of Mount Aja, while the city of Ha'il is located on the eastern slope of the same mountain. Mawqaq is 65 kilometers from Ha'il on the Ha'il-Ala-Tabuk road and 90 kilometers from Ha'il on the Hafir road.

## History

In 1847, the Finnish traveler George August Galin visited the area and made the following observation: "the town of Mawqaq is situated to the northwest of Mount Aja. It is one of the most populous settlements in the province, with a population exceeding 220 families". In 1915, British orientalist Louis Mouzel visited and described this site in his book North of Najd. However, no reference was made to the inscriptions and writings discovered in a number of nearby mountains. Furthermore, the archaeological sites are concentrated in the mountains and plateaus to the north and northwest of the area in question. These monuments consist of edifices and palaces constructed atop the elevated plateaus, with only a few of their ruins and fallen stones remaining on the ground. A few kilometers to the north of Mawqaq, there are indications of an entrance to a substantial palace or temple constructed on a mountain. Additionally, there are numerous inscriptions on the rocks adjacent to the entrance. Some of the inscriptions are in the ancient Arabic script "Al-Musnad," some are in scripts that only specialists can recognize, and some are in Kufic script. One of the most legible inscriptions on the mountain is in the Arabic script "Al-Musnad." Additionally, there are various drawings in the mountain and in nearby mountains. The collection includes representations of horses and other animals, including camels and a variety of other creatures. Additionally, there are illustrations of horses being ridden by a figure brandishing a long spear, as well as depictions of assorted tools, some of which bear resemblance to a plow, and others to a comb. The majority of these inscriptions and drawings were carved using the method of deep rock carving with sharp iron tools. However, the issue of erosion precludes the identification of the majority of the drawings and inscriptions in these sites, necessitating further study and excavation by specialists.

## Geography

The city of Mawqaq is situated within a vast valley that extends from north to south. It represents an extension of Wadi Al-Rasfin, Wadi Al-Bayyat, and Wadi Al-Rutiq, which originate from Mount Aja. Mawqaq is encircled by the Nafud, which extends to Al-Jawf to the north. To the east are Mount Jargh and Mount Aja; to the south is Mount Aja; and to the west are the flat western plains, which include a number of mountains and small plateaus. The city's geographical location is a defining feature, situated at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level. In close proximity is the summit of Mount Qadran (Samra), which reaches an altitude of 6,000 feet above sea level. Additionally, the city is traversed by the international road connecting Ha'il, Al-Ula, and Tabuk.

### Topography

One of the most significant geographical features of Mawqaq is the presence of the Aja mountain range, which forms a natural border to the city from the east and south. To the east of this range lies the city of Hail, separated from Mawqaq by the presence of this mountainous chain, which spans over 30 kilometres in width and over 100 kilometres in length.

### Aja Mountain Range

The Aja mountain range and its offshoots encircle the city of Mawqaq. The Aja mountain range extends over a distance of more than 100 kilometers from the village of Al-Hafir in the east to the village of Al-Fayda in the west. The city of Hail is located on the eastern side of Mawqaq, and the city of Mawqaq is located on the western side of Ha'il. The following are among the most significant geographical features and names within this chain, situated in close proximity to the city of Muqaq: Notable peaks include Mount Jargh and Mount Al-Kur. Additionally, the region encompasses Mount Hayyah and Mount Dhali'ah. Additionally, the region encompasses Mount Saihan and Hibal Al-Yasser. Additionally, the region encompasses Mount Umm Al-Hammam and Mount Abu Jurf. Additionally, the region encompasses Mount Balta and Mount Qadran. In addition to the mountains of: Mount Shout, Mount Abu Suwair. Mount Sahi, Mount Shaqraa. Mount Al-Baydiyat, Mount Al-Safraa. Mount Al-Rutiq, Mount Khashit. Mount Radfin Mount Nabtal. Mount al-Jadida. Mount Kahfah.

### Habran Mountain Range

The mountain range is renowned for its historical population of gazelles and bustards, situated 90 kilometers north of Mawqaq, a city located in the Nafud region, in close proximity to the village of Al Muhafar. As documented in the Mu'jam al-Buldān by Yaqut al-Hamawi (Volume 2, p. 244), Habran is defined as follows: By way of a disjunctive, or "breaking," construction. In Zayd al-Khayl's account, a mountain is referenced in conjunction with the description of his camel. He states, "I left from Zakheg and then rested on the eve of Habran, Irqal al-Atiq al-Mujaffar, I left for the birds." The shepherd stated that It is akin to an activist whose tears are shielded from the beast of Habran, situated between Al-Naqaa and Al-Zafar, and among the most significant geographical features in the region. The aforementioned area comprises several key locations, including the Triangle, Shifa Al-Bin, Markets, Aba Al-Dharouq, and Ghar Zamil.

### Al-Masma Mountain Range

The mountain range extends from south to north for a distance of approximately 80 kilometers, situated within the northern influence zone. The region comprises a number of mountains and plateaus, including:
* Rokham Mountain: It is located north of the city of Mawqaq, 40 kilometers west of the village of Tawiya.
* Saq Mountain: It is located north of the city of Mawqaq, 30 kilometers east of the village of Tawiyah, near the village of Al-Hatti.
* Al-Aaimda Mountain: It is located 20 kilometers northwest of the city of Mawqaq, near Hijrat Qasiriyat.
* Jarquq Mountain: It is located 15 kilometers west of the city of Mawqaq.
* Jadid Mountain: It is located 15 kilometers north of the city of Mawqaq.
* Shahbara Mountain: Located 15 kilometers west of Mawqaq, 15 kilometers away.
* Ihtala Mountain: Located 8 kilometers north of Mawqaq, 8 kilometers away.
* Ibraq Ghawth Mountain: It is located 2 kilometers north of the city of Mawqaq, 2 kilometers away.
* Al-Khashab Mountain: It is located 25 kilometers east of the city of Mawqaq, near the village of Hafir.
* Al-Abd Mountain: It is located 10 kilometers east of the city of Mawqaq, 10 kilometers away.

## Geology

Mawqaq is situated at the center of the geological palace square, between 41 degrees and 41 degrees and 20 minutes east longitude and 41 degrees and 20 minutes east latitude. The city is situated at a latitude of 27 degrees and 15 minutes north and 27 degrees and 30 minutes north. The area encompasses approximately 2,750 square kilometers. The majority of the area is covered by Cenozoic valley deposits of gravel, sand, and dunes, while the remainder is covered by bedrock, which is represented by several rock types. The alkaline feldspar monzogranite rocks, which are rich in biotite and hornblende minerals, are located in the eastern and southeastern regions of Mawqaq, specifically in the mountains Umm Raqba, Dawir, and Jargh. The Jaber rocks are found in Mountain Al-Abd, situated to the east and to the west of Mawqaq. The rocks of the Mawqaq complex are a mixture of green schist and metamorphosed bedrock. It's also is characterised by the presence of plagioclase-rich granitic and dioritic rocks, in addition to a significant number of basaltic breakers with orientations aligned northwest and east-west (dykes). In the southern region of Mawqaq, the presence of red granite rocks with fine-grained granite is discernible. The city of Mawqaq is situated within the Arabian Shield, a region characterised by scarce groundwater resources, with reliance on rainwater. The depth of wells in Mawqaq is typically limited to 70 metres.

## Ecological diversity

The most significant flora in the Mawqaq region includes Arfaj, Wormwood, Abiathran, Artemisia, Qarta, Qahwian, Sama'a, Katad, Rabla, Buttercup, Nafl, Terba, Basbas, Jahak, Qaisum, Sabt, Hanabazi, Marshmallow, Nasi, Hamat, Numbers, Hawa, Titan, Khubaiz, Ramth, and Faqaa (Kama'a). The following plants are known as Al-Awshiz, Al-Thail, and Al-Saadan.

## Tourism

The city of Mawqaq is regarded as one of the most notable tourist destinations in the Hail region, largely due to its striking natural landscapes and the prevalence of valleys and trees within these valleys. Among these, the most noteworthy valleys are: Haya, Al-Bayyat, Al-Rutiq, Al-Radafin, Al-Dhabih, Dhikhin, and others, all originate from Mount Aja and extend to the north of Mawqaq Al-Nafud. The plains lie to the west. During the spring season, these valleys, plains, and nafuds assume a verdant hue.