City districts

Riyadh is divided into 15 branch municipalities,[3] in addition to the Diplomatic Quarter. Each branch municipality in turn contains several districts,[4] though some districts are divided between more than one branch municipality.[3] The branch municipalities are Al-Shemaysi, Irqah, Al-Ma'athar, Al-Olayya, Al-Aziziyya, Al-Malaz, Al-Selayy, Nemar, Al-Neseem, Al-Shifa, Al-'Urayja, Al-Bat'ha, Al-Ha'ir, Al-Rawdha, and Al-Shimal ("the North"). Although the Riyadh Development Authority conducts projects in Dir'iyyah, administratively, Al-Diriyah is a separate city outside of the Riyadh Municipality and is the seat of its own governorate.[5] According to the website of the Riyadh Municipality, Riyadh contains more than 130 districts.[6][7] Examples of some of the main districts of Riyadh are the following: Al-Bat'ha[8] Al-Dirah (old Riyadh) Mi'kal Manfuha Manfuha Al-Jadidah (منفوحة الجديدة – "new Manfuha") Al-'Oud Al-Margab Salam Jabrah Al-Yamamah 'Otayyigah Al-'Olayya & Sulaymaniyyah[9] Al-'Olayya Al-Sulaymaniyyah Al Izdihar King Fahd District Al-Masif Al-Murooj Al-Mugharrazat Al-Wurood Nemar[8] Nemar Dharat Nemar Tuwaiq Hazm Deerab Irqah[3] Irqah Al-Khozama Diplomatic Quarter Al-Shemaysi[10] Al-Shemaysi Eleyshah Al-Badi'ah Syah Al-Nasriyyah Umm Sleym Al-Ma'athar Umm Al-Hamam (East) Al-Ma'athar[11] Al-Olayya Al-Nakheel King Saud University main campus Umm Al-Hamam (East) Umm Al-Hamam (West) Al-Ma'athar Al-Shimali ("North Ma'athar") Al-Rahmaniyya Al-Muhammadiyya Al-Ra'id Al-Ha'ir[3] Al-Ha'ir Al-Ghannamiyyah Uraydh Al-'Aziziyyah[12] Ad Dar Al Baida Taybah Al Mansouriyah Al-Malaz[13] Al-Malaz Al-Rabwah Jarir Al-Murabba' Al-Shifa[14] Al-Masani' Al-Shifa Al-Mansuriyya Al-Marwah Al-Urayja[15] Al-Urayja Al-Urayja Al-Wusta ("Mid-Urayja") Al-Urayja (West) Shubra Dharat Laban Hijrat Laban As-Suwaidi As-Suwaidi (West) Sultanah Al-Shemal[16] Al-Malga Al-Sahafa Hittin Al-Wadi Al-Ghadir Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Universitymain campus Al-Qayrawan Al-Aqiq Al-Naseem[17] Al-Naseem (East) Al-Naseem (West) As-Salam Al-Manar Al-Rimayah Al-Nadheem Al-Rayyan Al-Rawdhah[3] Al-Rawdhah Al-Qadisiyah Al-M'aizliyyah Al-Nahdhah Gharnatah (Granada) Qortubah (Cordoba) Al-Hamra Al-Qouds Al-Selayy[18] Al-Selayy Ad Difa' Al Iskan Khashm Al-'Aan Al-Sa'adah Al-Fayha Al-Manakh Olaya District is the commercial heart of the city, with accommodation, entertainment, dining and shopping options. The Kingdom Center, Al Faisalyah and Al-Tahlya Street are the area's most prominent landmarks. 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. Despite its name, the special privileges offered in the Diplomatic Quarter constitute a controversial issue. All Saudi laws must be obeyed and there are occasional patrols by theMutaween, or Saudi religious police. However, foreign diplomats and their families are allowed certain privileges and it is not very uncommon to see foreign diplomats and their wives strolling on the streets of the DQ in shorts and short-sleeve shirts. Cable-stayed bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 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. It is here that the Governor of Riyadh Provincemeets citizens, listens to their grievances and problems, and stays abreast of all aspects of the region's life. The Al-Dira area also contains commercial markets and traditional buildings, such as the Al-Mu'eiqilia market and the city's Grand Mosque.