Palm trees are an integral part of AlUla Governorate's agricultural landscape and social and economic history. They remain a prominent feature of the governorate as a major crop and a source of food and income, coinciding with Arab Palm Day, observed annually on September 15. According to SPA, AlUla is home to more than 4.2 million palm trees covering 16,484 hectares, while the governorate produces around 130,000 tons of dates annually. These figures reflect the importance of palm trees to the governorate's agricultural sector and the significance of dates within its food production system. Arab Palm Day highlights the importance of the palm tree in the Arab environment and culture. The designation of Arab Palm Day originated from a proposal submitted by Iraq's Ministry of Agriculture to the Arab League in 1981 to establish an annual day highlighting the palm tree and its importance across Arab countries. In Saudi Arabia, the palm tree holds a firmly established place in the agricultural, cultural, and economic landscape. AlUla is among the most prominent examples, with its long-standing association with palm cultivation and its oases reflecting an agricultural heritage passed down through generations.
