Skip to main content
Home

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

Main Menu

  • EROS Home
  • Image Gallery
  • Video Library
  • Earthshots
  • Remote Sensing Classroom

Earthshots

  • Earthshots
    • Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
      • University
      • Al Kharj
      • Buraydah
  • Download Cards
  • More Information
  • Contact Information
Earthshots Logo

Al Kharj A Riyadh, Saudi Arabia story

Cities  / 
Deserts
  1. Earthshots
  2. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  3. Al Kharj
Description

Southeast of Riyadh, irrigation clearly increased between 1972 and 2019, particularly around the city of Al Kharj. The red circles are fields with center-pivot irrigation systems, drawing water from Saudi Arabia’s aquifers. This irrigation development resulted from the investment of part of Saudi Arabia’s oil revenues in an effort to modernize agriculture.

View Related Imagery & Stories

Location

Sep. 5, 1972, Landsat 1 (path/row 177/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

Sep. 5, 1972, Landsat 1 (path/row 177/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

June 24 and July 3, 1989, Landsat 5 (path/row 165,166/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

June 24 and July 3, 1989, Landsat 5 (path/row 165,166/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

June 13 and 20, 2002, Landsat 7 (path/row 165,166/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

June 13 and 20, 2002, Landsat 7 (path/row 165,166/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

June 3 and 10, 2013, Landsat 8 (path/row 165,166/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

June 3 and 10, 2013, Landsat 8 (path/row 165,166/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

June 20 and 27, 2019, Landsat 8 (path/row 165,166/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

June 20 and 27, 2019, Landsat 8 (path/row 165,166/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

Sep. 5, 1972, Landsat 1 (path/row 177/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
June 24 and July 3, 1989, Landsat 5 (path/row 165,166/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
June 13 and 20, 2002, Landsat 7 (path/row 165,166/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
June 3 and 10, 2013, Landsat 8 (path/row 165,166/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
June 20 and 27, 2019, Landsat 8 (path/row 165,166/43) — Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Additional Imagery & Stories

Buraydah
Buraydah

The smaller city of Buraydah, northwest of Riyadh, shows the same pattern of urban growth and agricultural development. From 1972 to 1986, the populat...

Read More
University
University

Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University opened in 2011 just north of Riyadh. This change in land use is noticeable between King Khalid Internationa...

Read More
  • DOI Privacy Policy
  • Legal
  • Accessibility
  • Site Map
  • Contact USGS

  • U.S. Department of the Interior
  • DOI Inspector General
  • White House
  • E-gov
  • No Fear Act
  • FOIA