Wadi Hanifah, formerly known as Wadi Al-Ardh, holds a prominent place in the history of the Saudi state as the site of Diriyah, its birthplace and first capital, and has long been recognized as an important center of human settlement for centuries.
Stretching from the Tuwaiq Escarpment in the north through the Najd Plateau, it served as a vital stop for pilgrimage and trade caravans.
The valley’s environment is notably fertile, supporting diverse plant species due to abundant moisture and a high groundwater level.
Tree communities are typically found along the valley's banks and edges, dominated by perennial species alongside various annual plants.
Wadi Hanifah also serves as a natural source of surface water within a 4,590-square-kilometer basin, fed by rainwater.
Diriyah was founded in 850 AH (1446 AD) when Prince Mani’ Al-Muraydi and his clan moved there. Later, Imam Muhammad bin Saud made it the capital of the first Saudi state on February 22, 1727.
