Top 10 Cities in the Middle East - 9. Riyadh

Previously having a brief insight into the architecture of the spellbinding Egyptian capital, Cairo, it's time we went on with our awe-inspiring tour around Middle East's architectural masterpieces. Of course, today's article will reveal the city on the 9th place in our top. Hoping that I have succeeded in arising your interest in the astonishing architecture encountered in the Middle East, I should let you know that the destination of the day is a oasis of modernism in the middle of the endless Arabian desert: no else than the glamorous Riyadh!

Riyadh is the capital and the largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a region with a population of close to 7 million people. It has been designated as a Beta World City.

As far as the climate is concerned, Riyadh is said to be the hottest capital city in the world. Being located in a desert area, the temperatures there reach 50 degrees Celsius during the summer. The overall climate is arid, receiving very little rainfall. The dust storms are a frequent issue in the area.

Riyadh is divided into 15 branch municipalities, in addition to the Diplomatic Quarter. Each branch municipality in turn contains several districts, though some districts are divided between more than one branch municipality.

The centre of the city, Al-Bathaa and Al-Dirah, is also its oldest part. At its heart lies the 19th-century Al Masmak fort, which is one of the city's major attractions; to the west lies the Riyadh Museum of History and Archeology and the Murabba' Palace, an old residence of first Saudi king, Ibn Saud, now a museum. The Qasr Al-Hukm, or Palace of Justice, is nearby.

The Masmak is a clay and mud-brick fort, with four watchtowers and thick walls, founded on stone blocks, lying in the center of Riyadh, in the old quarters. It was built around 1865. The building received some important renovation in the 1980s, and became a museum in 1995.

King Abdulaziz's Murabba' palace was constructed in 1936, completed in 1937, and a household of 800 people moved into it in 1938. It was constructed in the style of Najdi architecture consisting of mud-bricks, and marked by a level of architectural maturity that was unprecedented on that scale. Presently, only a fragment of what it encompassed is restored and rebuilt in the traditional manner. However, the palace is now part of a bigger complex called "The King Abdulaziz Historical Centre".

Olaya District is a growing financial district in Riyadh. Located in the north side of the city, it hosts important sites and famous local landmarks, such as the Kingdom Centre, which houses the Four Seasons luxurious hotel. It will also contain Al Rajhi Tower, which, upon its completion, will be the tallest building in Saudi Arabia.

Kingdom Centre, also called Kingdom Tower, is a 99-storey, 302.3 m contruction, the second tallest skyscraper in the country, and the third tallest building with a hole in the world after the Shanghai World Financial Center and Tuntex Sky Tower.

Besides the shopping mall, Kingdom Tower contains the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh and state-of-the-art apartments. The 56 m skybridge atop the skyscraper. The building, designed by Ellerbe Becket and Omrania and Associates, was built during 1999-2002. The Kingdom Centre is the winner of the 2002 Emporis Skyscraper Award, selected as the "best new skyscraper of the year for design and functionality".

The Al Faisaliyah Center is a commercial skyscraper located in the business district of Riyadh, the first skyscraper constructed in Saudi Arabia. The Al Faisaliyah Center is about 267 meters high and consists of 44 floors. The tower was designed by UK based architects Foster and Partners and engineers Buro Happold. It was built between 1998 and 2000. The design is said to be based on that of a ballpoint pen. Inside the golden ball is a luxurious revolving restaurant.

King Fahd road is the main road in Riyadh city and considered as the most beautiful street of Riyadh. It was constructed in 1980-1981. Many business places in Riyadh prefer to locate their head offices on King Fahd road, and headquarters of major companies and organizations are located on both sides of the road. Huge malls, business towers and skyscrapers are widely distributed on this road.

The Diplomatic Quarter, or DQ as it is popularly known, is home to foreign embassies and international organizations as well as residential structures and malls. With lush gardens and numerous sports facilities, it is also one of the city's greenest areas. It is especially known for its fine architecture, and is considered a model for other Islamic cities around the world.

Even though the sprawling Arabian capital city seems to be chosen for business trips rather than being a top holiday destination, I wouldn't doubt that paying a visit there may be a thriving architectural experience. All in all, the sheer grandeur of the state-of-the-art constructions is worth considering on rating it among the most modern areas in the Middle East.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Masmak
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_Centre
http://wikitravel.org/en/Riyadh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riyadh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Faisaliyah_Center