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Khobar

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Al Khobar is a major city and governorate in Saudi Arabia. It is located in the Eastern Province. The city sits on the coast of the Persian Gulf. It is part of the Dammam metropolitan area. This region also includes the cities of Dammam and Dhahran. Khobar serves as a residential core for this important area. As of 2022, the city core had 409,549 people. The entire governorate had a population of 658,550 people.

The history of Khobar began with a small fishing hamlet. In 1923, the Dawasir tribe moved to the area. They moved with permission from King Abdulaziz Al Saud. They chose this location because it was near Bahrain. They hoped to eventually return to their homeland.

The Streets of Al-Khobar 1951
The Streets of Al-Khobar 1951

In the early 1930s, the settlement was quite small. The Khobar governorate was later incorporated in 1942. The discovery of oil in nearby areas changed the city forever. It became a vital port for exporting petroleum. It helped the company Saudi Aramco move oil to Bahrain.

Khobar has undergone many physical and economic changes. It once served as a commercial and industrial port. Later, petroleum exports moved to Ras Tanura. Commercial operations also moved to the King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam. Because of this, Khobar became a residential hub. Its streets became densely packed with many markets. Today, the city uses a grid system for most districts. Many buildings are mixed-use complexes for living and business. You will also see many masjids, or mosques, on the streets.

The climate in Khobar is classified as a desert climate. This is known as the BWh classification. Summers are very hot and dry. Winters are mild to warm and also dry. Summer lasts about five months, from May to September. April and October are transitional months. The transition between seasons happens very quickly. During winter and spring, there is light rain. You may also see heavy spells, thunderstorms, or even hail. The city also experiences the urban heat island effect.

Transportation in the region is very well developed. The city is served by King Fahd International Airport. This is the largest airport in the world by surface area. The airport plot is about 77,600 hectares. This is slightly larger than the country of Bahrain.

Dammam Airport
Dammam Airport

Khobar is also connected to several major highways. These include the Dhahran–Jubail Expressway and Highway 95. The Khobar–Dammam Highway links the city to the airport. Another vital link is the King Fahd Causeway.

King Fahd Causeway bridge num4
King Fahd Causeway bridge num4

This bridge is 25 kilometers long. It connects Saudi Arabia to the island of Bahrain. It can hold 28,000 cars and 1,000 trucks.

Tourism and recreation are very important to the city. The northern waterfront is a 16-km long Corniche Road.

كورنيش الخبر
كورنيش الخبر

This road runs parallel to the eastern coast. The southern suburbs face Half Moon Bay. This area hosts many beaches and resorts. A major landmark is the Khobar Water Tower.

Khobar water tower
Khobar water tower

It is 90 meters tall and has eight stories. There is a revolving restaurant at the top. The tower is a top tourist attraction. You can also visit the Prince Sultan Science & Technology Center. It features five permanent scientific halls and an IMAX cinema.

Shopping and culture also define the Khobar experience. The city is known for its many shopping malls. Some are among the largest in the kingdom.

Dhahran0130
Dhahran0130

Examples include the Mall of Dhahran and the al-Rashid Mall. For historic shopping, people visit Suwaiket Street. This street is also called Prince Bandar ibn Abdulaziz Street. It contains some of the oldest markets in the city. In 2019, the Sharqiah Season attracted 730,000 visitors. This included events like the Bollywood Festival. The city is also a center for education and health. It hosts over 100 educational institutes and many hospitals.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:The Streets of Al-Khobar 1951.jpg
The Streets of Al-Khobar 1951.jpg
File:Dammam Airport.jpg
Dammam Airport.jpg
File:كورنيش الخبر.jpg
كورنيش الخبر.jpg
File:Dhahran0130.jpg
Dhahran0130.jpg
File:King Fahd Causeway bridge num4.jpg
King Fahd Causeway bridge num4.jpg
File:Khobar water tower.jpg
Khobar water tower.jpg
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