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Dammam City Center. Photo by 啻曕淳啻曕祶啻曕窗.

Top 10 Facts about Dammam, Saudi Arabia

With a total population of 1,252,523 as of 2020, Dammam  which in Arabic is 丕賱丿賲賾丕賲 ad-Damm膩m is the fifth-most populous city after Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Dammam is the capital of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

The city hosts the  judicial and administrative bodies of the province as well as the administrative offices of other minor governmental departments functioning within the province.

The Saudi oil industry鈥檚 major administrative center is located in Dammam.

Dammam metropolitan area, with a population of 4,140,000 as of 2012, comprises the ‘Triplet Cities’ of Dammam, Dhahran and Khobar.

Dammam constitutes  the core of the Dammam metropolitan area.

Dammam is one of the fastest growing cities in Saudi Arabia at a rate of 12 percent per annum.

The top 10 facts about Dammam, Saudi Arabia include the following.

1. Dammam is Saudi Arabia鈥檚 fifth largest city

Downtown Dammam. Photo by Francisco Anzola.

Dammam is the capital of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and the largest city of the province.

The city hosts the judicial and administrative bodies of the province as well as the administrative offices of other minor governmental departments functioning within the province.

The Saudi oil industry鈥檚 major administrative center is located in Dammam.

Dammam metropolitan area, with a population of 4,140,000 as of 2012, comprises the ‘Triplet Cities’ of Dammam, Dhahran and Khobar with Dammam constituting the core of the metropolitan area

With a total population of 1,252,523 as of 2020, Dammam is the fifth-most populous city in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh, with a population of 7,538,200, followed by Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina in that order.

2. It Is Home To The Largest Port In The Persian Gulf

King Abdulaziz Port. Photo by NASA Landsat.

The largest port in the Persian Gulf is the King Abdul Aziz Sea Port located in Dammam. It鈥檚 only second in its import-export traffic to the Jeddah Seaport in the country.

Again after Jeddah Seaport, it is the third largest and third busiest port in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

King Abdul Aziz Port is a major export center for the oil industry, and also a key distribution center for major landlocked cities in the country.

3. Oil was first discovered in the Dammam oil field

Dammam Oil Well No.7 Photo by Unknown author.

Oil was first discovered in March 1938 by Americans in Saudi Arabia. At Dammam oil well No. 7 at a depth of 1,440 meters commercial quantities of oil were discovered.

Around 17 per cent of the proven petroleum reserves in the world today are found in Saudi Arabia.

The Ghawar oil field is the largest oil reserve in the world, with an estimated 75 billion barrels of oil left and is located in Al-Ahsa Governorate.

The oil field has enough reserves to fill 4,770,897 Olympic-sized swimming pools to put that into the right context. A liter of oil in Saudi Arabia today is cheaper than a liter of drinking water.

4. The Dawasir Tribe Settled In Dammam In Early 20th Century

King Ibn Saud. Photo by Lcxzdf56 .

The area called Dammam was settled by the Dawasir tribe around 1923 with the permission of King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia.

The city developed into its current state within half a century, soon after the discovery of oil in the Dammam oil well. Initially the city was just a fishing hamlet.

The city thereafter developed in both as an administrative centre for the Eastern Province as a port to its current status.

5. Dammam Is The Capital Of The Eastern Province

King Abdulaziz made Dammam the capital of the newly formed Eastern Province after the unification of Saudi Arabia.

The unification of Saudi Arabia started when the House of Saud, or Al Saud, conquered the various tribes, sheikhdoms, city-states, emirates, and kingdoms of the region as from 1902.

Ibn Saud proclaimed the union of his dominions into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 23 September 1932 and proceeded to make Dammam the capital of the newly formed Eastern Province

6. One Of Dammam鈥檚 iconic landmarks Is The Khobar Water Tower

Khobar Water Tower. Photo by Ahsan Ismail.

The Khobar Water Tower is one of the city鈥檚 iconic landmarks. Located on an artificial island, the striking 3-storey structure consisting of three bays is 90 meters tall.

The upper floor houses a restaurant, the waterfront corniche and gives sweeping views of the city and the shimmering Arabian Gulf among others.

The island is surrounded by water which connects the north of the Khobar Corniche to the island. The tower will have an international restaurant at the top.

Guests will be able to enjoy a wonderful meal while soaking in a breathtaking perspective of the city after completion  as it is still under construction.

7. Dammam Is Connected To Another Artificial Island Called Al Marjan 

Dammam is collected to yet another artificial island called Al Marjan, Coral Island or Al Murjan. Artificial islands are a regular feature in Saudi Arabia.

Visitors can take a ferry ride to the island or use a bridge as there is a bridge that connects Dammam to the island.

Covering an area of around 4.5 kilometers the island features a park, playground, ferry rides, walkways and bicycle lanes.

The island which extends into the Arabian Gulf  also features  a cafeteria for drinks and snacks, as well as a floating cafe over the water among others.

The park is popular with tourists as well as with the local population who come to bask in the serenity of the nature in the island.

8. Visitors Can Tour The High Rising Fortress Of Heritage Village

One of the iconic sights which catch  attention of visitors while exploring the city of Dammam is the high rising fortress of the Heritage Village. 

The Heritage Village is home to a large amount of artifacts and historical items.

The articles and artifacts are placed carefully in the five-storey fortress and were collected by Mr. Saad AlBalahi.

9. King Fahd Park Is Another Attraction In Dammam

King Fahd Park is the largest park in Saudi Arabia with attractions spanning 1,120 million square meters.

There is a perfect mixture of green grass, trees, lakes and an amusement park within the park. 

There is a large amusement park which offers the Cobra ride among other attractions within the vicinity

10. Visitors Can Tour The Half Moon Bay Beach in Dammam

With pristine, white sands the Half Moon Bay is the most popular beach in the area.

The government has invested considerable resources to keep the beach clean and tidy and as such the half-circled bay is known for being clean and well-kept.