Sarawat

Sarawat refers to a major mountain system in the western part of the Arabian Peninsula, commonly identified with the Sarawat Mountains. In Saudi Arabia, the term designates a western highland belt that runs roughly north–south along the Red Sea coast and extends from the northern border with Jordan toward Yemen.

Geographically, the Sarawat range comprises several subranges, including the Hijaz Mountains in the north and the Asir Mountains in the south, and it forms a natural barrier between the Red Sea coastal plains and the interior plateau. The elevated terrain influences climate by intercepting moisture from the southwest, producing relatively wetter and cooler conditions in the highlands, particularly in the southern parts, and supporting cloud cover and, in some areas, forested zones.

Among its highest points is Jabal Sawda, one of Saudi Arabia’s tallest peaks, with elevations approaching 3,000 meters in some measurements. Towns such as Taif and Abha lie within or near the Sarawat, historically serving as seasonal settlements and agricultural centers thanks to the more favorable climate in the highlands.

Geologically, the Sarawat mountains are associated with the broader Arabian Shield and consist largely of Precambrian rocks and related formations shaped by long-term erosion into deep valleys and rugged terrain. The region supports biodiversity that includes montane flora such as juniper and cedar in suitable microclimates, alongside a range of endemic and adapted species.

In summary, the Sarawat denotes the western highland spine of the Arabian Peninsula, a key topographic, climatic, and ecological feature extending along Saudi Arabia’s western edge from the Jordanian border to Yemen.