Tabuk Province
Tabuk
مِنْطَقَة تَبُوْك (Arabic) | |
|---|---|
 Seal | |
 Map of Saudi Arabia with Tabuk highlighted | |
| Coordinates: 28°0′N 37°0′E / 28.000°N 37.000°E | |
| Country |  Saudi Arabia |
| Region | Hejaz |
| Capital | Tabuk |
| Governorates | 7 |
| Government | |
| • Body | Municipality of Tabuk |
| • Governor | Fahd bin Sultan |
| • Deputy Governor | Khalid bin Saud.[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 146,072 km2 (56,399 sq mi) |
| Population (2022 census) | |
• Total | 886,036 |
| • Density | 6.1/km2 (16/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+03:00 (SAST) |
| ISO 3166-2 | SA-07 |
| Area code | 014 |
| Website | tabukm |
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Tabuk Province, also known as Tabuk Region (Arabic: مِنْطَقَة تَبُوْك Minṭaqat Tabūk), is a province in Saudi Arabia, located along the northwestern coast of the country, facing Egypt across the Red Sea. It also borders Jordan to the north.[2][3]
History
[edit]
The history of Tabuk province dates back to 5,000 years ago. The province is identified with the land of Midian.[4][5] The province is traversed by the Hejaz railway, which was built during the Ottoman Empire under the Sultan Abdul Hamid II and was a focus for attacks during the Arab Revolt of 1916–1918.[6] The province has traditionally been inhabited by the Howeitat tribe.
In recent years, the province has received substantial media attention due to the Saudi government's planned Neom City project in the province.[7]
Population
[edit]| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 486,134 | — |
| 2004 | 691,716 | +2.98% |
| 2010 | 796,425 | +2.38% |
| 2018 | 930,507 | +1.96% |
| 2022 | 886,036 | −1.22% |
| source:[8] | ||
Governorates
[edit]| # | Governorate | Capital | Population (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tabuk Governorate | Tabuk | 623,665 |
| 2 | Umluj Governorate | Umluj | 69,656 |
| 3 | Al-Wajh Governorate | Al-Wajh | 49,948 |
| 4 | Tayma Governorate | Tayma | 42,164 |
| 5 | Duba Governorate | Duba | 54,917 |
| 6 | Haql Governorate | Haql | 27,712 |
| 7 | Al-Bad' Governorate | Al-Bad' | 17,973 |
Economy
[edit]Tabuk is an active commercial center, serving pilgrims passing through towards Mecca. Due to its moderate climate, it's also the site of several dairy and poultry farms. The region (Astra) exports flowers to Europe, mainly lilies, statices and gladiolas.[9] In the past, a narrow-gauge railway (1,050 mm / 3 ft 511⁄32 in track gauge) ran from Damascus to Medina through Tabuk. Remains of the railway can be found in Tabuk, where a large station was built. The station has since been restored.[10]
Education
[edit]Tabuk has a range of educational institutions, including elementary, intermediate, and secondary schools operated by the Ministry of Education throughout the province. Higher education is available for both men and women through several institutions, including the University of Tabuk[11], Fahd bin Sultan University[12], and a branch of the Saudi Electronic University[13].
Technical and vocational education in the region is managed by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC). Colleges for male students include Umluj Technical College, Tabuk Technical College, Haql Technical College, Al-Wajh Technical College, and branches in Tayma and Duba. For female students, the Technical College for Girls in Tabuk offers vocational training.
Transportation
[edit]Air
[edit]Tabuk Province is served by several airports providing domestic and international connectivity:
- Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport (IATA: TUU) in Tabuk City is a public and military airport offering domestic flights and limited international connections. It has experienced a 25% increase in flight operations, reflecting the region's growth and alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 transportation goals.[14]
- Red Sea International Airport (IATA: RSI) near Hanak on the Red Sea coast began operations in 2023. It supports the Red Sea Project and is expected to handle up to one million passengers annually by 2030.[15][16]
- Neom Bay Airport (IATA: NUM) is located near Sharma and began limited operations in 2019. It serves as an initial air hub for the Neom development.
- Amaala International Airport is an upcoming airport under construction to serve the luxury tourism destination of Amaala along the Red Sea coast. It is designed to handle up to one million passengers annually and is expected to open in the near future.
- Al-Wajh Domestic Airport (IATA: EJH) serves Al-Wajh, providing regional air connectivity.
Border Crossings
[edit]Tabuk Province shares two international land border crossings with Jordan, supporting both regional trade and religious tourism.
The Durra Border Crossing connects Haql in Tabuk Province to Aqaba in Jordan. Established in 1966 and upgraded in 1988, it facilitates pedestrian and vehicular movement and offers full immigration and visa services.[17]
The Halat Ammar Border Crossing is located near the town of Halat Ammar, southwest of Tabuk city. It serves as a key point of entry for pilgrims traveling to Mecca for Hajj and Umrah. It is operated by the Saudi General Directorate of Border Guard and the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority. In recent years, it has been upgraded as part of Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance logistical infrastructure.[18]
List of governors
[edit]| Name[19] | Term of Office | Monarch(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Muhammad bin Abdulziz | 1926 – 1930 | Abdulaziz |
| Abdullah bin Saad | 1930 – 1931 | Abdulaziz |
| Abdullah bin Saad | 1931 – 1935 | Abdulaziz |
| Saud bin Hathloul | 1936 – 1937 | Abdulaziz |
| Musaed bin Abdullah | 1938 – 1950 | Abdulaziz |
| Suleiman bin Mohammed | 1950 | Abdulaziz |
| Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed | 1950 – 1953 | Abdulaziz |
| Khalid bin Ahmed | 1953 – 1955 | Saud |
| Musaad bin Ahmed | 1955 – 1972 | Saud, Faisal |
| Sulaiman bin Turki | 1972 – 1980 | Faisal, Khalid |
| Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz | 1980 – 1986 | Khalid, Fahd |
| Mamdouh bin Abdulaziz | 1986 – 1987 | Fahd |
| Fahd bin Sultan | 1987 – present | Fahd, Abdullah, Salman |
Destinations
[edit]- Tabuk Castle[20]
- Red Sea destination
- Amaala
- The Birds Garden
- The Park of Prince Fahd bin Sultan
See also
[edit]- Provinces of Saudi Arabia
- List of governorates of Saudi Arabia
- List of cities and towns in Saudi Arabia
- Hejaz
References
[edit]- ^ "Saudi King Orders Appointment of Faisal bin Salman as Special Adviser, Salman bin Sultan as Governor of Madinah Region". english.aawsat.com. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- ^ "Population Characteristics surveys" (PDF). General Authority for Statistics. 2017.
- ^ Sabri, Sharaf (2001). The house of Saud in commerce : a study of royal entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia. New Delhi: I.S. Publications. ISBN 8190125400. OCLC 47863742.
- ^ "Tabouk City Profile, Saudi Arabia". The Saudi. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
- ^ Edwards, Grace (2023-12-19). "6: Tabuk and Medina Provinces". Saudi Arabia. Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 188–246. ISBN 978-1-7847-7933-7.
- ^ "Tabūk | Saudi Arabia". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince reveals project 'THE LINE' in futuristic city of NEOM". 10 January 2021.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia: Regions & Major Cities - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information". citypopulation.de.
- ^ "Tabouk City Profile, Saudi Arabia". The Saudi Network. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ "The Hijaz Railway". visitsaudi.com. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
- ^ "University of Tabuk". ut.edu.sa. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ "Fahd bin Sultan University". fbsu.edu.sa. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ "Saudi Electronic University". seu.edu.sa. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's aviation sector grows by 26% in 2023: GACA". Arab News. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ Ravenscroft, Tom (26 February 2021). "Construction begins on Foster + Partners' Red Sea International Airport in Saudi Arabia". Dezeen. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ Radwan, Rawan (11 February 2021). "Red Sea Project set to secure new financing, launch off-plan sales: CEO". Arab News. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ "Durrah Border Center". Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ "Halat Ammar Port". Saudipedia. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ "the list of all governors of Tabuk Province". Ministry of Interior. Archived from the original on 22 January 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
- ^ "Tabuk". sauditourism.sa. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
External links
[edit]Places adjacent to Tabuk Province | ||||||||||||||||
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