Eastern Province

Saudi Arabias Eastern Province stretches from the shallow shores of the Arabian Gulf, through the palm-cloaked hills of Al Ahsa Oasis, and deep into the forbidding plains of Rub� Al Khali. Historically, its position at the crossroads of the great civilizations of the Levant, Mesopotamia and India made it a thriving trade hub. And while Aramco�s oil and gas activities constitute much of the regions economic activity today, for centuries merchants used it as an in-land route bringing frankincense incense and other goods from ancient Yemen towards the great empires. Some of the region�s first human settlements can be found in Al Ahsa, home to one of the world�s largest oases, and the Gulf region�s first UNESCO-listed city. Visitors will love the citys natural springs, clustered among date palm trees, and the beautifully preserved archaeological sites that capture the Kingdom�s culture and traditions.