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Jubail Center. Photo by Suresh Babunair.

Top 10 Facts about Al Jubail

With a total population of 684,531 as of 2021, Al Jubail which in Arabic is Al Jubayl is a city in the Eastern province and on the Persian Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia.

 Al Jubail is home to the largest industrial city in the world and also its home to Saudi Basic Industries Corporation. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation is Middle East’s largest and also the fourth largest petrochemical company in the world.

The city is home to the Independent Water and Power Project which produces 2743.6 megawatts of electricity and 800,000 meters cubed of water daily making it the world’s largest project of that nature.

Jubail is made up of the industrial area and the Old Town of Al Jubail (Jubail Balad), which was a small fishing village until 1975.

The top 10 facts about Al Jubail include the following.

1. Al Jubail Is Home to The World’s Largest Industrial City

The world’s largest industrial city established in 1975 is located in Al Jubail. The industrial city which includes industrial complexes, major harbour and port facilities covers 1,016 square kilometers.

About 7 percent of Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product is generated by the industrial city. Al Jubail Industrial City is the work of a company called Bechtel which started working on actualizing the city some 40 years ago.

Jubail II which is an expansion of the original industrial city will cost $3.8 billion  and will still be implemented by Bechtel which was awarded the contract by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu in 2004.

2. Al Jubail Is Well Connected by Sea and By Land

Dhahran Jubail Highway. Photo by Suresh Babunair.

Dhahran-Jubail Highway and Abu Hadriyah Highway are the two major highways which connect Al Jubail and other cities within the country directly.

 The 500-kilometer Jubail-Qassim (Buraidah) Expressway will reduce the distance between Jubail and Qassim from the current 831 kilometers when completed.

A proposed railway line to connect Jubail to Dammam to be a branch of Saudi Landbridge Project is being conceptualized.

Jubail ranks 92nd in the world in terms of Total Cargo Volume with 44,700 tons as of 2011 which are shipped through its two seaports namely Jubail Commercial Seaport and the King Fahd Industrial Seaport.

3. Al Jubail Is Served by The Largest Airport in The World by Area

King Fahd International airport. Photo by United States Air Force.

The city is served by various airfields with close proximity to the industrial city.  One of the airports is King Fahd International airport which by area is the largest airport in the world occupying an area of approximately 776 square kilometers.

Jubail Naval Airport which was intended to be used as a commercial airport but was handed over as a base for the naval aviation group/eastern fleet of the Royal Saudi Navy is located 25 kilometers from west of Jubail city.  

However, starting September 2014, the airport was opened for private aviation operations. Abu Ali Airport located in the Island of Abu Ali and King Abdulaziz Naval Base are two other airfields located in the city.

4. The Largest Producer of Desalinated Water Worldwide Is Located in Al Jubail

Saline Water Conversion Corp. Photo by Wulome Hoximena.

One of the industrial city projects is Saline Water Conversion Corp. The corporation operates desalination plants and power stations in Saudi Arabia and is owned by the government.

The corporation  is responsible for 20% of worldwide desalinated water production.

It is  the largest desalinating sea water corporation in the world and a Guinness World Record holder. The corporation is also the second largest provider of electricity in the country.

5. Al Jubail Is Home to The Knowledge and Creativity Center

One of the most appropriate places to visit with family and especially for children for an informational and fun-filled outing in Jubail is the Knowledge and Creativity Center.

Tourists can participate in various international events and activities organized at the Knowledge and Creativity Center.  There are several corporate offices and laboratories, such as FABLAB located at the center.

6. Tourists Can Tour the Al-Fanateer Cultural Center for Global Business Events

The Al-Fanateer Cultural Center which has a charming interior with a large seating capacity is located near Fanateer Beach

The Al-Fanateer Cultural Center is ideal for holding business meetings, company presentations, or other business events and people visiting Al Jubail for business purposes are encouraged to visit this site

The center has been used by both locals and tourists to organize numerous open-to-all business events

7. Tourists Can Tour the Al Tawia Historical Tower in Al Jubail

King Abdul Aziz. Photo by William Henry Irvine Shakespear.

The Al Tawia Historical Tower was built on the orders of King Abdul Aziz in 1929 to protect the Al Tawia well.

The Al Tawia well was the principal source of water for the nomadic people of the time.  The tower provides an historical tale for the tourists and locals alike and serves as a remnant of the past history of Al Jubail.

8. Tourists Can Tour Al Nakheel Beach for Water Adventure Sports

Al Nakheel Beach known for its breathtaking views and tranquil environment is one of the top tourist attractions in Al Jubail.

For ensuring a worthwhile trip, the beach features several rides for children and has a park, restroom, and rest area. Several vendors near the beach provide delicious quick snacks for visitors to enjoy.

Water activities offered at the beach include banana boat rides and parasailing for tourists visiting Nakheel Beach to participate in.

9. Al Fanateer Beach in Al Jubail Offers Beautiful Sunrises and Sunsets

Al Fanateer Beach is located within 3 miles of Al Nakheel Beach and is another spectacular tourist spot.

A white sand coastline, paved walking paths and green lawns dotted with palm trees are some of the features of the beach.

The beach is known for excellent views during sunrise and sunset in Al Jubail.  To spend quality family time, visitors can organize picnics with easy access to food stalls in the area.

Scuba diving are some of the water adventure sports offered at the beach in addition to leisurely walks at the beach.

10. Al Jubail Is Home to A Marine Wildlife Sanctuary

To protect the aquatic biodiversity that exists in Al Jubail, the Marine Wildlife Sanctuary was established to protect it.

Flamingos, terns, ducks, herons, and seagulls have since made the Marine Wildlife Sanctuary their home.  The sanctuary also hosts other animals such as the red fox and golden jackal among others.

The sanctuary is a major tourist attraction as it provides numerous animals and birds in their natural habitat for tourists to watch.