49,000 (in 1997). It consists of about 17 villages, including Al-Hutah, Al-Rumailah, North Al-Omran, South Al-Omran, Ghomsi, Al-Ulayyah, Abu Al-Hasa, Abu Thur, Al-Sayayrah, Al-Suwydrah, Al-Aramyah, Fariq Al-Raml, Wasit, Al- Shuwaikiah, Al-Sabaykh and Al-Nakheel. The Al-Sawab Club is situated in Al-Omran. Shaybah (oil town in the Empty Quarter) Administrative subdivisions The governorate of Al-Ahsa has seven marakiz. They do not have any administrative functions, but can still be proclaimed as an administrative division. The marakiz are: Al Hafayer Al Ubaylah Al-Jafr, Saudi Arabia Haradh Hofuf Rumailah, Saudi Arabia Shaybah Villages Al-Ahsa is a large area where a lot of villages and small towns are located. The villages are normally grouped into two main groups according to their relative location to the oasis. Although the villages lack big markets and/or hospitals, there are few good polyclinics and small markets. You can find small bank branches and automated teller machines in many villages. Recently there have been a great improvement in road maintenance and re-construction of some main roads between villages and cities. Al-Ahsa has about 50 villages, following is a list of some according to their location: Eastern villages Here is an incomplete list (population in 1997): Al-Taraf (+27,000) which is famous for its four hills and its small zoo. Al-Rumailah (probably +12,020) It is well known because Al-Romailah existed at the time of Muhammad Al-Holailah (+21,000) Al-Battaliyah (+20,000) Al-Shu'bah (+17,000) Al-Omran (+49,000) which is a well-known village and has its own municipality Al-Munaizlah (+17,000) Al-Garah (+13,000) which is well known for its mountain Jabl Al-Garah Al-Jafr (+13,000) which is well known for its own police station and other government offices Al-Kilabiyah (+12,000) located about from Al-Hofuf Al-Mansorah (+10,000) Al-Towaithir (+8000) Al-Fudhool (+8000) Al-Markaz (+9000) (, , also spelled Al-Markez). It is about from Al-Hofuf. Al-Hotah (Probably +7000) Bani Ma'an (), one of the oldest villages. It is believed that it was bigger in the past. Al-Dalwah Al-Shahareen Al-Sabat Abu Thor Al-Turaibil Al-Tuhaimiyah Al-Mizawi Al-Jeshah (+29,000) Al-Jubail (+10,000) Northern villages Here is an incomplete list: Al-Gherain Al-Mutairfi (+29,000) which is well known for its natural springs Al-Julaijlah Al-Marah Al-Garn Al-Shigaig Al-Wazziyah. Associated small villages Here is an incomplete list: Al Hafayer Yabrin Climate Al-Ahsa has a dry, tropical climate, with a five-month summer and a relatively cold winter. It enjoys the benefit of copious reserves of underground water which has allowed the area to develop its agricultural potential. Nevertheless, Al-Ahsa has to