Al-ʿUla (Arabic: ٱلْعُلَا al-ʿulā), also Al Ola, is a governorate of the Medina Region, and a city in north-western Saudi Arabia. Historically located on the incense route, the city lies within the Governorate of 'Ula (Arabic: مُحَافَظَة ٱلْعُلَا, romanized: Muḥāfaẓat Al-ʿUlā), one of seven in the Medina Region, covering an area of 29,261 square kilometres (11,298 sq mi). The city is 110 km (68 mi) southwest of Tayma and 300 km (190 mi) north of Medina.[1] The city (municipality) covers 2,391 square kilometres (923 sq mi).[2] The population of the city is 5,426.[2]
Al-ʿUla was the capital of the ancient Lihyanites (Dedanites). The governorate contains the first UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Saudi Kingdom, called Madain Saleh (Hegra), 22 km (14 mi) north of the city. Madain Saleh was built more than 2,000 years ago by the Nabataeans. Al-'Ula, the walled city, is packed with mud-brick and stone houses.[3]
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