Location:
The Jazan region is located in the southwestern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between longitudes 42° and 43° east and latitudes 16° and 17° north. It is bordered to the north and east by the Asir region, to the west by the Red Sea with a coastline of approximately 330 km, and to the south and southeast by the Republic of Yemen. The region’s average depth from east to west is about 100 km. This region serves as a link between land and sea trade in the southern region, as it contains the port of Jazan, the third largest port in the Kingdom in terms of capacity. It is the main gateway for imports to the southwestern part of the Kingdom and a rest stop for pilgrims coming from Yemen, given its location on the road connecting Yemen and Mecca. The region is characterized by its diverse terrain, including mountains, plains, and islands, and most of its land is pristine, the largest being Farasan Island. All of it is suitable for investment and tourism development.
Area:
The total area of the Jazan region is about 13,457 thousand km2, in addition to about 80 islands in the Red Sea, the most famous of which is Farasan Island, where the area of these islands is about 702 km2. This area represents about 0.7% of the area of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and it is thus considered one of the smallest regions of the Kingdom in terms of area after the Al-Baha region.
Population:
The population of the region is estimated at approximately 1.67 million people.
Climate:
The climate of the Jazan region is influenced by the movement of tropical winds and varies according to the diversity of the surface features and geographical characteristics of the region. The climate of the coastal plain is mild in winter and hot and humid in summer. The temperature gradually decreases towards the mountains, resulting in rainfall. The temperature rises during the period from June to September. The average temperature ranges between 25 degrees Celsius in January and 35 degrees Celsius in June. The maximum temperature reached 41 degrees, and the minimum temperature was 18. Relative humidity increases from the direction of the eastern part of the plains towards the west. The average relative humidity ranges between 61% in July and 79% in December. The maximum relative humidity reached 99%, and the minimum reached 27%.
Northwesterly winds blow over Jazan from May to September, and monsoon winds blow in June and August, carrying sandstorms and creating the dust phenomenon. The average annual speed of the monsoon winds in the region is about 26 km/h, but the period characterized by increased wind speed occurs during the summer, when it rises to more than 30 km/h during the months of May, June, August, and September.
Rain falls in the region during the summer months of July, August, and September, with 47% of the annual rainfall occurring in the Faifa Mountains, about 52% in Abu Arish, about 76% in Sabya, about 71% in Haroub, and about 61% in Atoud. Rainfall ranges from 100 to 450 millimeters depending on the altitude of the location. This rain is often heavy and torrential, generating huge and sudden flash floods as a result of the rainfall on the mountainous areas and their steep slope towards the coast, where the main valleys in the region often run from east to west towards the Red Sea coast.
Tourism:
The Jazan region possesses natural potential, diverse climate and environment, and tourism assets that rightfully qualify it to be a year-round tourist destination, thanks to its geographical makeup. In its eastern part, mountainous highlands stretch, some reaching heights of nearly 3,000 meters, characterized by breathtaking scenery, lush greenery, and a mild summer climate. These include mountains such as Tallan, Faifa, Jabal Aswad, Jabal Balghazi, Jabal Haroub, Al-Sahalil, Al-Hashr, Al-Raith, Jabal Al-Abadil, Sila, Jabal Sahar, Jabal Malhama, and Al-Fadna in the lands of Bani Sharahil, Qais, and Al-Qahr, among others. From these highlands, enchanting streams and ravines flow into more than 25 verdant valleys, including one of the largest valleys in the Kingdom, Wadi Bish. Other valleys include Sabya, Khalab, Nakhlan, Ta’ashar, Wasa’, Shahdan, Lajab, Qura, Reem, Razan, and Al-Dahn. These valleys offer stunningly beautiful landscapes, boasting diverse flora and fauna.
Jazan City:
Jazan City is the administrative capital of the Jazan region, located in the far southwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, specifically on the western coast of the Red Sea. It has Jazan Port and a regional airport.
Introduction:
The Jazan region boasts unique investment advantages, including:
It boasts stunning natural beauty, white sandy beaches, coral reefs, verdant highlands, hot springs, and a mild climate, especially in winter, offering residents and visitors alike a unique experience of enjoyment and relaxation.
The region is witnessing increasing tourism activity, with its warm and pleasant winter weather and moderate temperatures attracting locals and visitors alike to its beaches and distinctive tourist sites.
The recent rise in investment in the Jazan region, particularly in the tourism and entertainment sectors, has further strengthened its local presence.
While the Jazan region is rich in economic advantages in the logistics, agricultural, and heritage sectors, and is distinguished by its environmental and climatic diversity, the Jazan Region Municipality has taken significant steps in preparing and facilitating procedures for investors, with the aim of reaching a higher level of financial sustainability and becoming a post-oil economic booster in accordance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. This is achieved through investing in its potential, resources, attractive tourist sites, and advanced facilities. The region has invested in organizing tourism festivals that have successfully promoted the Jazan region as an important and distinguished tourist center and destination at the local and regional levels, and have introduced the natural, investment, and tourism potential of the Jazan region, which has strengthened the region’s position as a destination for those seeking investment from all over the Kingdom.
Spatial importance:
The region boasts a strategic geographical location, serving as a vital maritime gateway for the Kingdom and a key hub on the international shipping lanes. Jazan Port is the Kingdom’s third largest port in terms of design capacity on the Red Sea coast and the largest Saudi port for receiving livestock from the Horn of Africa. Located approximately 266 miles from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, it acts as a port for global trade extending across the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean.
Jazan city is one of the most densely populated cities in Saudi Arabia, with a population density of approximately 4,000 inhabitants per square kilometer. The region is rich in natural resources, being the most abundant in fish and shrimp production. Its fertile lands are rich in groundwater, wells, and valleys, and its diverse climate provides a suitable environment for agricultural investment, contributing to the Kingdom’s food security.
Mineral wealth:
The region is characterized by the availability of raw materials necessary for most industries such as (salt – potash – silica – quartzite – limestone – gypsum – dolomite and marble – basalt rocks – clay – kyanite – feldspar).
The region is characterized by the presence of several mega-projects that increase its relative importance, which are as follows:
Jazan City for Basic and Downstream Industries, which is supervised by the Royal Commission in Yanbu and Jazan, and all works and projects implemented therein, is one of the major industrial cities that the wise leadership, with wisdom and foresight, deemed important to implement in a number of regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, due to what it will bring to them in terms of prosperity, growth and development, and expansion of the economic base, by focusing on manufacturing and comprehensive development for all regions of the Kingdom. The city aims to localize heavy, petrochemical, mining and downstream industries, in addition to providing vital energy supplies, localizing the shipbuilding industry, and investing in mineral, agricultural, livestock and fisheries resources. The city is currently witnessing diverse industries with an investment volume exceeding 88 billion riyals, and Saudi Aramco is developing the first phase of the city according to the highest standards and the best infrastructure, including the development of the port, the industrial area, the residential area and the Bish Corniche.
King Abdullah Suburb:
The King Abdullah Suburb in Jazan City aims to establish a residential suburb north of Jazan City, providing 40,000 residential units with comprehensive commercial, recreational, and social services. The project also focuses on developing existing residential areas while ensuring the suburb’s economic viability. This will create a self-sustaining economic base for residents, generate employment opportunities, and attract investment. A detailed plan outlines the project’s components, which include: residential areas, a tourism and entertainment investment zone, an information technology investment zone, a tourism and real estate investment zone, and service centers (a main commercial and administrative service center, a secondary service center, and a branch service center).
King Abdullah International Airport:
Construction has commenced on the new King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport at a completely new site overlooking the Red Sea. The airport covers an area of 50,134,155 square meters and is located near Jazan City for Basic and Downstream Industries and the Aramco refinery – a major contributor to the economic and tourism development of the Jazan region. The airport will have an initial capacity of 6.3 million passengers annually and will consist of 39 buildings with future expansion capabilities. The current airport has a capacity of 900,000 passengers annually. The new airport will also feature duty-free shops, restaurants, and international cafes. It is designed to accommodate large, wide-body aircraft.
Projects specific to the Public Investment Fund:
Downtown Saudi Arabia’s projects contribute to boosting commercial and investment activity in various cities across the Kingdom, increasing their attractiveness and enhancing their positive impact on the local economy. These projects also provide new opportunities for private sector companies, create jobs for local residents, and facilitate the transfer of expertise and knowledge in several fields. The projects will offer a distinguished work environment tailored to the needs of companies and entrepreneurs, enabling them to expand their operations to other cities and regions within the Kingdom.
SEVEN, the entertainment arm of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is responsible for developing, operating, and investing in entertainment destinations and complexes in Saudi Arabia. These complexes are being developed in strategic locations to provide innovative entertainment options for a large population, catering to all family members. Each complex will include numerous facilities such as cinemas, arcades, restaurants, cafes, and much more.
