Jazan is one of the most prominent regions in the southwestern part of Saudi Arabia. It stands out for its unique geographical diversity, blending towering mountains with vast coastlines along the Red Sea. In addition to its rich history, Jazan is famous for its natural resources and agricultural wealth. It is also a distinct tourist destination, thanks to its enchanting islands and numerous historical sites.

History and Etymology

The name Jazan refers to the valley known from its source to its mouth. Historically, the name was not well known except through a single reference in a Sabaean inscription as "Jazn," which is believed to be the first historical mention of Jazan. Before the advent of Islam and until the 4th century AH, the region was divided into two districts: the southern district of Hukm and the northern district of Ather. These districts were united by Suleiman bin Taraf Al-Hakmi, and the area was named "Al-Mikhlaf Al-Sulaymani" in his honor. This name remained in historical sources until after the rule of the Idrisids, when the name Jazan was adopted, referring to the coastal city of Jazan, which began as a port and eventually grew into a large modern city.

Geographical Information

Jazan is one of the prominent administrative regions in Saudi Arabia, and this section will explore its geography.

Area and Population

Jazan covers a total area of approximately 13,457 square kilometers, including about 80 islands in the Red Sea, the most notable being Farasan Island. The islands span an area of around 702 square kilometers, making up about 0.7% of Saudi Arabia's total land area. This makes Jazan one of the smallest regions in the kingdom, second only to Al-Baha. The population of the region is estimated at about 1.4 million people.

Location

Jazan is located in the southwestern part 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 stretching approximately 330 km, and to the south and southeast by the Republic of Yemen. The region has an average width of about 100 km from east to west. Jazan serves as a major link between land and sea trade in the southern region, home to Jazan Port, the third-largest port in the kingdom by capacity. It is also the main gateway for imports to the southwestern part of the kingdom and a rest stop for pilgrims from Yemen due to its strategic location on the road connecting Yemen to Mecca.

Climate

Jazan’s climate is influenced by tropical winds and varies due to the differing surface features and geographical characteristics. The coastal plain experiences mild winters and hot, humid summers, while temperatures gradually drop in the mountainous areas, leading to rainfall. The temperature rises significantly between June and September, with average temperatures ranging from 25°C in January to 35°C in June. Maximum temperatures can reach 41°C, while the minimum can drop to 18°C. Humidity increases from east to west, ranging between 61% in July and 79% in December, with maximum humidity levels reaching 99% and minimum levels at 27%.

Northwest winds prevail in Jazan from May to September, while monsoon winds bring sandstorms, known as "ghabra," in June and August. The winds reach an average annual speed of 26 km/h but can exceed 30 km/h during the summer months of May, June, August, and September.

Rain falls during the summer months of July, August, and September, accounting for 47% of the annual rainfall in the mountains of Fayfa, about 52% in Abu Arish, 76% in Sabya, 71% in Haroub, and 61% in Atoud. Rainfall ranges from 100 to 450 mm depending on altitude and is often heavy, leading to the formation of large and sudden floods, especially as water flows down the mountains towards the coast. The main valleys run from east to west towards the Red Sea.

Cities and Provinces in the Region

Jazan includes several provinces, such as:

Jizan Province

Jizan City, the administrative capital of the Jazan region, is located in the far southwest of Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea coast. The city hosts the emirate headquarters, Jazan Port, and King Abdullah Regional Airport, making it a vital center for business and transportation in the region.

Sabya Province

Sabya is located on the plain between the Sarawat Mountains to the east and the eastern shores of the Red Sea to the west, at latitude 170° and longitude 42°. It is one of three provinces in the Jazan region, along with Abu Arish and Samtah, classified as a category (A) province. It administratively oversees three centers and is located about 36 kilometers from Jizan City and approximately 30 kilometers northwest of Abu Arish.

Samtah Province

Located in the southwest of Saudi Arabia, Samtah is one of the southern gateways of the kingdom. It is home to about 47 villages and has a population of around 155,000, representing about 11% of the total population of the Jazan region.

Abu Arish Province

Situated in the western part of Saudi Arabia, Abu Arish lies at the intersection of longitude 42.30 and latitude 16.30 east. Its central location makes it a key hub connecting various cities and provinces through a network of regional roads, enhancing its strategic importance.

Al-Masarah Province

Al-Masarah is the largest province by area in Jazan and is located in the southwestern part of Saudi Arabia. It is under the jurisdiction of the Jazan Emirate.

Bish Province

Bish is located in the northwestern part of the Jazan region, on the Red Sea coast, about 68 kilometers north of Jizan City, the emirate’s capital. Bish is bordered by Al-Darb Province to the north, Sabya Province to the south, and Haroub and Rith provinces to the east, with the Red Sea forming its western boundary.

Al-Aridhah Province

Al-Aridhah is located east of Jizan, about 65 kilometers from the emirate’s capital. It is bordered by Al-Aidabi, Fayfa, and Al-Daer provinces to the north, the Republic of Yemen to the east and south, and Abu Arish Province to the west.

Damad Province

Damad is situated in the central part of the Jazan region and administratively oversees the Shuqayri center and around 75 villages. The province has seen significant educational progress, with 41 schools for boys and 52 schools for girls, covering all levels of general education from primary to secondary.

Al-Darb Province

Located in the northern part of the Jazan region, Al-Darb is about 125 kilometers away from Jizan City. It is bordered to the east by the Marba Center, to the west by the Shaqiq Center, to the north by the Reem Center, and to the south by the Atoud Center.

Al-Aidabi Province

Al-Aidabi is situated in the eastern part of the Jazan region, approximately 69.5 kilometers northeast of Jizan City, the region’s capital. It is bordered to the west by Damad and Sabya provinces, to the south by Al-Aridhah and Abu Arish, and to the east by Bani Malik Province. The province is also bordered to the north by Al-Rith Province.

Al-Daer Province

Al-Daer is located in the northeastern part of the Jazan region, about 105 kilometers east of Jizan City. It is bordered to the north by the Asir region, to the east by the Republic of Yemen, to the west by Haroub and Al-Aidabi provinces, and to the south by Fayfa and Al-Aridhah provinces, as well as parts of Jizan’s administrative region and the Republic of Yemen. Al-Daer oversees seven administrative centers: Al-Hashr, Al-Zaidan, Dafa, Athwan, Al-Salaf, Al-Janaba, and Al-Shaja’a.

Al-Rith Province

Al-Rith is located on the eastern borders of the Jazan region, about 150 kilometers northeast of Jizan City. It is bordered to the north by Wadi Bish, to the east by Wadi Al-Hayat in the Asir region and Jabal Al-Hashr, to the south by Haroub Province, and to the west by the Al-Haqou and Al-Fatouh centers, part of the Jizan administrative region.

Al-Harath Province

Al-Harath, located on the border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, is part of the Jazan region in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Its administrative center is in Al-Khouba, and its emirate was established with the unification of Saudi Arabia in 1353 AH.

Farasan Province

Farasan is situated west and southwest of Jizan City, about 20 nautical miles from the shores of the region, and about 50 kilometers from Jizan City. Farasan lies between latitude 16.7° north and longitude 41.7° east, in the southeastern part of the Red Sea, covering an area of approximately 1,050 square kilometers. Farasan Island (also known as Farasan Al-Kubra) is the largest of the archipelago in both area and population, spanning about 380 square kilometers.

Al-Tuwal Province

Al-Tuwal is located in the southern part of the Jazan region, about 75 kilometers southeast of Jizan City. It is surrounded by Samtah Province to the north, east, and west, and bordered to the south by the Republic of Yemen.

Haroub Province

Haroub is located in the eastern part of the Jazan region, about 110 kilometers east of Jizan City. It is characterized by its location in the mountainous terrain, offering unique landscapes and natural beauty.

Fayfa Province

Fayfa is located east of Jizan City in the southwestern part of Saudi Arabia. It is bordered to the north and east by the Asir region and to the south by the Republic of Yemen. The province consists of a group of interlocking mountains that appear from a distance as a single mountain in the shape of a pyramid, which is why it is known as Mount Fayfa or the Fayfa Mountains. The region is renowned for its rugged terrain and steep slopes in all directions, with the province sitting at an elevation of about 12,000 feet. The summit of Al-Absiya is the highest peak in the province.

This detailed exploration of the Jazan region and its various provinces showcases its geographical, historical, and cultural significance, making it a key area of Saudi Arabia for tourism, trade, and heritage.