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Tabuk Province

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Tabuk Province is a significant administrative region in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

Tabuk Region - Provinces
Tabuk Region - Provinces

It is located along the coast of the Red Sea. To its north, the province shares a land border with Jordan. Tabuk is part of the larger Hejaz region. The area serves as a vital commercial center for the country. It is a key transit point for pilgrims traveling toward the holy city of Mecca. Today, the province is gaining global attention due to the Neom City project.

The history of this region is incredibly deep. Some scholars identify the province with the ancient land of Midian.

مدين
مدين

Evidence of this past remains in the form of ancient temples. In more recent history, the Hejaz railway played a major role here. This narrow-gauge railway used a track gauge of 1,050 mm. It was built during the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Abdul Hamid II. The tracks once connected Damascus to Medina. During the Arab Revolt from 1916 to 1918, the railway was a target for many attacks. Visitors can still see a large, restored railway station in Tabuk City.

Administratively, the province is divided into six distinct governorates. Tabuk City serves as the provincial seat and is the largest center. The other five governorates are Umluj, Al-Wajh, Duba, Tayma, Haql, and Al-Bad'. The government categorizes these areas into Category A and Category B. This classification is based on the availability of different services. The population varies significantly across these locations. According to the 2022 census, Tabuk City had 623,665 residents. In contrast, Al-Bad' had a population of 17,973. Other areas like Umluj recorded 69,656 people in the same census.

The economy of Tabuk is diverse and relies on its unique environment. The province enjoys a moderate climate. This weather supports several dairy and poultry farms. The Astra region is also a major producer of flowers. It exports varieties like lilies, statices, and gladiolas to Europe. Transportation is a massive part of the local economy. The province manages two international land border crossings with Jordan. The Durra Border Crossing connects Haql to Aqaba in Jordan. It was established in 1966 and upgraded in 1988. The Halat Ammar crossing serves pilgrims traveling for Hajj and Umrah.

Air travel is another critical component of the province's infrastructure. Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport is the main hub in Tabuk City. It manages both civilian and military operations. Flight operations there have increased by 25% recently. This growth aligns with the goals of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. On the coast, the Red Sea International Airport began operations in 2023. It is a gateway for projects like The Red Sea Destination and Amaala. It is expected to handle one million passengers annually by 2030. Neom Bay Airport also supports the Neom development area.

Education is highly organized throughout the province. The Ministry of Education operates elementary, intermediate, and secondary schools. Higher education is available to both men and women. Students can attend the University of Tabuk or Fahd bin Sultan University. The Saudi Electronic University also has a branch here. Technical and vocational training is managed by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation. There are several specialized colleges for male students in various towns. For women, the Technical College for Girls in Tabuk provides vocational training.

Tabuk is a place where ancient history meets future technology. The province contains many notable destinations. These include the Al-Naslaa Rock and the Tabuk Castle. New developments like Sindalah and Trojena are part of the massive Neom project. The province is governed by an Emir appointed by the King. This leader is assisted by a deputy governor. From the ancient temples of Midian to the high-tech goals of Vision 2030, Tabuk remains a central part of the Saudi Arabian landscape.

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