Jeddah Flagpole

Jeddah Flagpole is a flagpole located at King Abdullah Square in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It is the tallest flagpole in the world since its inauguration in 2014.^[1] The Saudi Arabian flag was unfurled on the flagpole and was inaugurated on National Day of Saudi Arabia 23 September 2014. The flagpole is 170 meters high, breaking the previous record held by Dushanbe Flagpole in Tajikistan, which is 165 meters tall.^[2] Previous record holders included the 162 m (531 ft) National Flagpole in Azerbaijan, the 160 m (525 ft) Panmunjeom Flagpole of Kijŏng-dong in North Korea, and the 133 m (436 ft) Ashgabat Flagpole in Turkmenistan. The flag weighs 570 kg and is 49.5 meters long and 33 meters wide.^[3]

Location

Jeddah Flagpole is located in the center of King Abdullah Square, which confronts Jeddah North Corniche. The King Abdullah Square, also known as "Custodian of two Holy Mosques square", covers an area of 26,000 square meters with the flagpole in origin. The square represents the two swords and palm tree, the emblem of Saudi Arabia. Plants cover another area of 9000 square meters with the flagpole surrounded by 13 special lights, which represent the 13 governorates of Saudi Arabia.^[2]

Construction and Specifications

Construction of the flagpole started in September, 2014 and was constructed by "Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiative" in association with Al-Babtain power & telecommunication Co . The Flagpole is made of 500 tons of steel and is cylindrical in shape. The flagpole is 170 m (558 ft) tall with the flag itself weighting 570 kg (1,260 lb). The flag is 49.5 m (162 ft) in length and 33 m (108 ft) in width. Inauguration took place on 23 September 2014 and the Flag of Saudi Arabia was hoisted on the flagpole.^[2]

References