Lavender, a Symbol of Saudi Arabia’s Hospitality

Saudi Arabia's Lavender - SPA
Saudi Arabia's Lavender - SPA
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Lavender, a Symbol of Saudi Arabia’s Hospitality

Saudi Arabia's Lavender - SPA
Saudi Arabia's Lavender - SPA

Lavender flowers dress Saudi deserts during Spring, reflecting the unique natural landscape of the Kingdom.

The northern regions of the Kingdom are abundant in shamrock, chrysanthemum, and lavender flowers that flourish in various degrees of purple that go in harmony with the desert landscape and give it vigor.

This has prompted Saudi Arabia to choose purple as the new color for its carpets during ceremonial and formal occasions, which includes receiving heads of states, official guests, ministers, and ambassadors.

The Kingdom is one of the few countries that no longer use the traditional red carpets during official occasions.

The idea to use purple for ceremonial carpets came as a joint initiative between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and the Royal Protocol.

Purple was chosen as a touristic and cultural symbol, inspired by the lavender flowers that bloom in spring and cover the Kingdom’s desert landscapes.

Notably, official purple carpets appeared for the first time when Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

The initiative to change the color of ceremonial carpets reflects the ongoing development in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030. It also attributes special importance to the roots of Saudi history and civilization.

Saudi Arabia placed special emphasis on its cultural identity and international appearance after the launch of Vision 2030, contributing to the promotion of various sectors such as tourism, arts, and archaeology.



Rare Pallid Bat Spotted in Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders Region

Bats are found on every continent except Antarctica - SPA
Bats are found on every continent except Antarctica - SPA
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Rare Pallid Bat Spotted in Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders Region

Bats are found on every continent except Antarctica - SPA
Bats are found on every continent except Antarctica - SPA

The Pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus), a rare species in the region, was recently spotted in the Saudi Arabia's northern borders.

The region have fostered a rich array of ecosystems, supporting a unique biodiversity that relies heavily on natural resources, according to SPA.

Typically native to the western coast of the Americas, this bat is seldom seen outside its usual range. Its presence in the region highlights the area's pristine nature and hints at the existence of other undiscovered rare and unique species.

Bats, the only mammals capable of flight, are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Biologists have confirmed that the Pallid bat, not native to the Middle East, thrives in arid environments. These bats roost in rock crevices during the day and emerge at night to feed on insects and worms. They hibernate during the winter and give birth to one or two pups in the spring, which they wean after about 40 days.
The primary benefit of bats lies in their role as natural pest controllers. Consuming up to 40% of their body weight in insects daily, including mosquitoes.
Additionally, bats play a critical role in pollinating plants and dispersing seeds, making them invaluable to wildlife restoration efforts in the Kingdom.