Haneul friend: Ian Lee from Incheon to Saudi Arabia | Connectography Speech 043

 

Just added my Connectography Speech of Saudi Arabia!

Check out the video and let’s learn about Saudi Arabia together.

Connectography Speech for World Environment Day 2025 | Lee Hyunho (Saudi Arabia) | 043

Al-Ula, located in the northwestern part of Saudi Arabia, is a city where ancient civilization and nature can be observed simultaneously. Once the capital of the Dadan Kingdom, it still holds inscriptions and petroglyphs that date back 2,000 years. The UNESCO-listed Jabal Ikmah Canyon preserves the traces of ancient peoples. A notable archaeological site is Hegra, which contains hundreds of tombs carved into cliffs from the Nabataean Kingdom.

In the Old Town of Al-Ula, one can find the remains of a large ancient city, often considered the second-largest ancient city after Mecca. Giant rock formations such as the Jarhan Rock, Elephant Rock, and Arch Rock glow in a reddish hue when bathed in the light of sunset, creating a majestic atmosphere.

Additionally, the Maraya Concert Hall, the largest mirror building in the world, is located among the rugged rocks, creating a mirage-like, unique ambiance. Recently, Al-Ula has been included in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 project, transforming rapidly into a hub for culture, arts, and tourism, with the Maraya Concert Hall being a key part of this transformation. I learned about the AlUla region, which forms a magnificent landscape with countless rock formations. I also heard that it includes historical sites like Mada’in Saleh and Jabal Ikmah, where many ancient scripts can be found. Do you know how these massive rock formations were created? I've heard about the NEOM City project that Saudi Arabia is promoting, but there hasn't been much news about it lately. I'm curious about how it's progressing these days. Could you send me some photos of the construction site or anything related?

April is typically one of the driest months in South Korea. Due to this, there tends to be significant temperature fluctuation. In early April, it can still be cold enough to require a padded jacket, and there are even occasional snowfalls. However, by the end of the month, the weather often turns summery, with people wearing short sleeves. Currently, the weather in Korea is dry and somewhat chilly, consistent with typical April conditions. It even snowed recently. Nonetheless, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Fine dust is as much as it was, but it tends to get worse over the years.April is typically one of the driest months in South Korea. Due to this, there tends to be significant temperature fluctuation. In early April, it can still be cold enough to require a padded jacket, and there are even occasional snowfalls. However, by the end of the month, the weather often turns summery, with people wearing short sleeves. Currently, the weather in Korea is dry and somewhat chilly, consistent with typical April conditions. It even snowed recently. Nonetheless, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Fine dust is as much as it was, but it tends to get worse over the years.

However, the current climate in South Korea deviates noticeably from the usual patterns. The cold snap began unusually early and has persisted longer than it typically would. In recent years, extreme weather conditions—whether heat or cold—have been breaking records more frequently. I believe this is a direct consequence of global warming. In countries like Saudi Arabia, where the climate is dry and the continentality is high, such fluctuations in temperature would likely be felt even more intensely.

What are your thoughts on global warming?

At the UNCCD Conference of the Parties, Saudi Arabia announced its cooperation with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to develop an early warning system for sand and dust storms, and stated that it is enhancing monitoring as part of a regional early warning network. During previous research on Saudi Arabia, I found that a strong northwesterly wind known as the Shamal often blows in April, triggering sandstorms. I would like to know whether this policy was implemented in response to that specific natural phenomenon.

Hello, my name is Lee Hyun Ho, and I’m from Korea. I am a second-year student at Haneul High School and have interest in engineering. I like animals such as dogs and also enjoy reading novels. I am currently participating in the Connectography project at Haneul High School.