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.[2][3]
Tabuk
تبوك | |
|---|---|
 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 |
| Seat | Tabuk City |
| Governorates | 6 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Body | Tabuk Municipality |
| • Governor | Fahd bin Sultan |
| • Deputy Governor | Khalid bin Saud.[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 146,072 km2 (56,399 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation (Mount Jabal al-Lawz) | 2,556 m (8,386 ft) |
| Population (2022 census) | |
• Total | 886,036 |
| • Density | 6.06575/km2 (15.7102/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+03:00 (SAST) |
| ISO 3166-2 | SA–07 |
| Area code | 014 |
| Website | tabukm |
History
edit
The history of Tabuk province dates back to 3,000 B.C.E. 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 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.[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
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.
| # | 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
editTabuk 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
editTabuk 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
editAir
editTabuk Province is served by several airports that provide domestic and international air links:
- Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz 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.[14]
- 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.[15][16]
- 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 Al-Wajh and Umluj Governorates, providing regional air connectivity.
Border Crossings
editTabuk 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 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 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
edit- Tabuk Castle.[20]
- 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
editReferences
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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-02-09. Retrieved 2019-01-09.
- ^ 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. Retrieved 2025-11-11.
- ^ "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. Archived from the original on 2019-04-11. Retrieved 2019-04-11.