Tabuk Province

Template:Short description Template:About Template:Distinguish Template:Infobox settlement Tabuk Province, also known as Tabuk Region (Arabic: منطقة تبوك, romanized: Minṭaqat Tabūk), is a province in Saudi Arabia, located along the northwestern coast of the country on the Red Sea. It borders Jordan to the north and is part of the Hejaz region.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

History

File:مدين.jpg

Ancient temples in what used to be Midian, nowadays the province of Tabuk

The history of Tabuk province dates back to 3,000 B.C.E. The province is identified with the land of Midian.<ref name="TheSaudi_Tabouk">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Edwards2013">Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref name="EB_Tabūk">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> The province has traditionally been inhabited by the Huwaytat tribe.

In recent years, the province has received substantial media attention due to the Saudi government's planned Neom City project in the province.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Governorates

File:Tabuk Region - Provinces.svg

Map of Tabuk Province

Tabuk Province comprises six governorates, with Tabuk City serving as the seat of the province. The governorates are categorized into Category A and Category B based on the availability of services. Template:Legend Template:Legend Template:Legend

#	Governorate	2010 Census	2022 Census
–	Tabuk City	571,717	623,665
1	Umluj	61,670	69,656
2	Al-Wajh	44,811	49,948
3	Duba	53,162	54,917
4	Tayma	36,666	42,164
5	Haql	28,399	27,712
6	Al-Bad'	18,673	17,973

Economy

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.<ref name="The Saudi Network">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Further

Education

Template:See also 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,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Fahd bin Sultan University,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and a branch of the Saudi Electronic University.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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

Air

Tabuk Province is served by several airports that provide domestic and international air links:

• Prince Sultan International Airport in Tabuk City serves as the main airport of the province. It handles both civilian and military operations and offers regular domestic flights along with limited international services. The airport has seen a 25% increase in flight operations, reflecting the region’s growth and alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transportation goals.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Red Sea International Airport near Hanak on the Red Sea coast began operations in 2023. It serves as a key gateway for Red Sea Global projects, including The Red Sea Destination and Amaala, and is expected to handle up to one million passengers annually by 2030.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Neom Bay Airport near Sharma began limited operations in 2019 and currently serves as the initial air hub for the Neom development.

• Al-Wajh Domestic Airport serves the Al-Wajh Governorate, providing regional air connectivity.

Border Crossings

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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 Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority. In recent years, it has been upgraded as part of Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance logistical infrastructure.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

List of governors

Name<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Term of Office	Monarch(s)
Office established
Mohammad bin Abdulaziz	1926 – 1930	Abdulaziz
Abdullah bin Saad Al-Qunb	1930 – 1931
Abdullah bin Saad Al-Sudairi	1931 – 1935
Saud bin Hathloul	1936 – 1937
Musaed bin Abdullah	1938 – 1950
Suleiman bin Mohammed	1950
Abdulrahman bin Mohammed	1950 – 1953
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

• Tabuk Castle.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• The Red Sea Destination
• Amaala
• Sheybarah Island
• Sindalah
• Trojena
• Neom
• Midian
• Al-Naslaa Rock
• The Birds Garden
• The Park of Prince Fahd bin Sultan

See also

• Provinces of Saudi Arabia
• List of governorates of Saudi Arabia
• List of cities and towns in Saudi Arabia

External links

• The-Saudi.net on Tabouk
• Template:Usurped