Abha was the capital city for the Prince of Asir Ibn Ayde under the authority of the Ottoman Empire until World War I. In 1918, the Prince of Asir, Yahya bin Hasun Al Ayde, grandson of Ibn Ayed, returned to his family throne conquered in Abha with complete independence. In 1920, Asir was conquered by the Ikhwan tribesmen of Nejd loyal to Ibn Saud during the Unification of Saudi Arabia. Abha has many historic places such as forts and other locations, thanks to the region's cultural heritage. Bani Shehr, Bani Amr, Bal-Ahmar, Bal-Asmar, Bal-Qarn, Shumran and some others all belong to "Al-Azd" and some extended familiesQahtan, Shahran which is belong to Hood. Azdi tribes had migrated after "Marib Dam" collapsed for the third time in the third century AD. Al-Namas, Billasmar Region, Hawra Billasmar Center, Khaled, Eyaa Valley, Athneen Billasmar and some other known places that belong to the Asir Region.
Transportation
A coastal road connecting Jeddah and Abha was completed in 1979. A SAPTCO bus station connects Abha to other destinations within Saudi Arabia. Abha Regional Airport is Abha's main airport. International connections are available to Yemen, Egypt, Qatar and the UAE, as well as to other destinations within Saudi Arabia. Construction of Dutch-designed Abha Airport began in mid-1975, and flights began in 1977. Before construction of the airport, domestic flights were serviced by the military airport near Khamis Mushait by Ali Misfer Ibn Misfer, who was the founder of aviation in Abha in 1945.
Landmarks
The city of Abha is composed of four quarters, the largest of which contains a fortress. Hilltop fortresses are a characteristic feature of the city. Shadda Palace, built in 1927, is now a museum displaying local handicrafts and household items. Other notable buildings in Abha include the Abha Great Mosque, the Al-Tahy restaurant, the Abha Palace Hotel, and the funpark next to Lake Sadd. The New Abha five-star hotel is a recent construction on the lake, southwest of the town. The head office and the main printing presses of Al Watan, a major Saudi daily, are in Abha.
Culture
The Saudi government has promoted Abha as a tourist destination. The city hosts events to attract visitors to the city and its surroundings, including the summer Abha Festival, sporting events, shows, exhibitions, and musical performances poets and singers. The artistTalal Maddah died on stage during one such performance in Abha.
Abha is located in the southern region of Asir at an elevation of about above sea level. Abha lies on the western edge of Mount Al-Hijaz, near Jabal Sawda, the highest peak in Saudi Arabia. Treating the Asir Mountains as part of the Sarawat, the landscape is otherwise dominated by the Sarawat Mountains. The climate of Abha is semi-arid and it is influenced by city's high elevation. The city's weather is generally mild throughout the year, becoming noticeably cooler during the “low-sun” season. Abha seldom sees temperatures rise above during the course of the year. The city averages of rainfall annually, with the bulk of the precipitation occurring between February and April, with a secondary minor wet season in July and August. The highest recorded temperature was on August 25, 1983, while the lowest recorded temperature was on December 29, 1983.
