Al-Balad, Jeddah: Difference between revisions

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{{Wikify|December 2006}}

[[Image:800px-Portuguese in Jeddah-1-.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Portuguese shitps in harbor]]

:''this article is about Old-City of [[Jeddah]] City ,for other uses, see [[Balad]].''

:''For other uses, see [[Balad]].''

'''AL-Balad''' is the historical area of [[Jeddah]], the second largest city of [[Saudi Arabia]]. Balad can literally be translated as "The Town". Balad traces its history 2,500 years back as a fishing village when the ''Quda'a ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: قضاعة)'' fishermen tribe settled there little knowing that they had established the cornerstone for one of the most thriving and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods of the Arab world. Balad is a beautiful blend of the modern and the classic where the glass facades of modern skyscrapers rub shoulders with Historical buidings with the distinct horizontally embedded Wooden beams that has come to symbolize Balad over years.

'''AL-Balad''' is the historicaldowntown area of [[Jeddah]], the second largest city of [[Saudi Arabia]]. Balad can literally be translated as "The Town". Balad traces its history 2,500 years back as a fishing village when the ''Quda'a ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: قضاعة)Quadaa'' fishermen tribe settled there little knowing that they had established the cornerstone for one of the most thriving and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods of the Arab world. Balad is a beautiful blend of the modern and the classic where the glass facades of modern skyscrapers rub shoulders with Historicalhistorical buidings with the distinct horizontally embedded Woodenwooden beams that has come to symbolize Balad over years.

Though it may not occur to one as quickly as Bond Street or Fifth Avenue, Balad can be a Shopper's Paradise. Balad has a plethora of upscale shopping centers with high-end fashion brands from Milan and Paris, along with the traditional street vendors and open air Souks (Eastern Markets) . Many Saudi companies are headquratered here the most famous of which is the [[National Commercial Bank]]. The award winning structural design is the widely regarded as the first Arab Skyscraper and features Gordon Bunshaft at his best.

Though it may not occur to one as quickly as Bond Street or Fifth Avenue, Balad can be a Shoppershopper's Paradiseparadise. Balad has a plethora of upscale shopping centerscentres with high-end fashion brands from Milan and Paris, along with the traditional street vendors and open air Souks (Eastern Markets) souks. Many Saudi companies are headquratered here the most famous of which is the [[National Commercial Bank]]bank. The award winning structural design is the widely regarded as the first Arab Skyscraperskyscraper and features Gordon Bunshaft at his best.

==See also==

*[[Jeddah]] City itself .

[[Category:Jeddah]]