Jizan Region

Coordinates: 17°30′N 42°30′E / 17.500°N 42.500°E

Jizan
Region
جازان

Map of Saudi Arabia with Jazan highlighted
Capital Jizan
Boroughs 14
Government
  Governor Prince Muhammad bin Nasr
Area
  Total 11,671 km2 (4,506 sq mi)
Population (2010)
  Total 1,365,110
  Density 116.97/km2 (303.0/sq mi)
ISO 3166-2 09

Jazan Region (Arabic: جازان Jāzān) is the second smallest (smallest region is Al Bahah) region of Saudi Arabia. It stretches some 300 km along the southern Red Sea coast, just north of Yemen. It covers an area of 11,671 km² and a population of 1,365,110 at the 2010 census (preliminary result). The capital is the city of Jizan; Muhammad bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz is the current Governor.

The region includes over 100 islands in the Red Sea. Jizan is the poorest area in Saudi Arabia. 34% of Saudi families in Jizan live in poverty.[1] The Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia's first conservation protected area, are home to the endangered Arabian gazelle and, in winter, migratory birds from Europe.

Geography

The region divides into three parts.

Though the climate on the highlands is similar to the relatively wetter climate of 'Asir, the coastal regions of Jazan province are part of Tihamah, probably the hottest place in the country, with mean maximum temperatures ranging from 40°C (104°F) in July to 31°C (88°F) in January. High humidity from coastal lagoons makes the climate even less bearable than it would be otherwise. Rainfall is extremely low at less than 75 millimetres (3 inches) per year. Sabya is located in the center between the mountain and the beach.

Sub-divisions

The region is sub-divided into 14 governorates as follows:

Jazan's Governorates
Name Native name Census
15 September 2004
Census (Preliminary)
28 April 2010
Abu Arishأبو عريش123,943197,112
Alddairالدائر 49,23959,494
Alddarbالدرب 52,06269,134
Ahad Almasarihahأحد المسارحة 70,038110,710
Alaridahالعارضة 62,84176,705
Alaydabiالعيدابي 52,51560,799
Alharthالحرث 47,07318,586
Alraithالريث 13,40618,961
Baishبيش 58,26977,442
Damadضمد 62,36671,601
Farasanفرسان 13,96217,999
Jazanجازان 255,340157,536
Sabyaصبياء 198,086228,375
Samtahصامطة 128,447201,656
Total Provinceجازان 1,187,5871,365,110

Arrayth is one of the most beautiful mountains in the south of Saudi Arabia. Farasan is a group of islands.

Ethnography

For centuries, a majority of the inhabitants have been sunni Muslims.

Arabic language is native to over 90% of the inhabitants.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jizan Province.

Further reading

References

  1. "Poverty in the Kingdom of Gold". Retrieved 24 August 2013.