What is Saudi Arabia's First Natural Site on the UNESCO World Heritage List?

The Uruq Bani Ma'arid was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023, marking it as the first natural World Heritage Site in the Kingdom.

 Located along the western edge of the Empty Quarter (Al-Rub' Al-Khali) desert, the reserve covers an expansive area of over 12,750 square kilometers. It is recognized as the only continuous sand desert in tropical Asia and the largest continuous sand sea on Earth.

 The site meets UNESCO criteria for its outstanding universal value, presenting an exceptional panoramic view of Al-Rub' Al-Khali sands and featuring some of the world's largest complex linear dunes.

 The reserve is a crucial natural habitat, home to over 900 species of flora and fauna, including 120 species of native wild plants. It shelters endangered wildlife, notably the world's only free-ranging herd of Arabian Oryx, alongside mountain and sand antelopes. The site encompasses five subsets of the Kingdom's national ecosystems, making it vital for the survival of key species.