Jazan City

Jazan City is a Saudi city lying in the southwestern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; it is the administrative capital of the Jazan Region, the seat of its governorship and the centre of its development, and it holds the regional services, from government departments to commercial and service facilities.[1]

The city's regional port and its international airport strengthen its connection with the regions of the Kingdom and with the world, and the Jazan Region embraces the Special Economic Zone, the Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries and one of the largest energy complexes in the world.[1]

The Governor of the Jazan Region is His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz, and his deputy is His Highness Prince Nasser bin Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Jalawi; both took the oath of office on 22 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1446 AH, corresponding to 20 May 2025 CE.[5]

On 21 Safar 1448 AH, corresponding to 4 August 2026 CE, a royal order was issued approving the appointment of the members of the councils of the thirteen regions of the Kingdom for their eighth term of four years, among them the Council of the Jazan Region.[6]

The Jazan Region lies in the southwestern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between the longitudes 42 and 43 degrees east and the latitudes 16 and 17 degrees north; it is bordered to the north and east by the Asir Region, to the west by the Red Sea along a coastline of about 330 km, and to the south and southeast by the Republic of Yemen.[2]

The area of the Jazan Region is about 13,457 km², making it the second smallest region of the Kingdom in area after the Al-Bahah Region; it includes about 80 islands in the Red Sea, the best known of which is Farasan Island with an area of 702 km², and the region is distributed over sixteen governorates combining the coastal plain, the mountain highlands and the Farasan Islands archipelago.[2][1]

Average temperatures in the Jazan Region range between 25 degrees Celsius in January and 35 degrees Celsius in June, and the highest temperature has reached 41 degrees and the lowest 18.[2]

The Jazan Region was formerly known as Al-Mikhlaf Al-Sulaymani, and it holds antiquities dating back to 8000 years before the Common Era.[2]

The Jazan Region holds an advanced economic standing, embracing the Special Economic Zone, the Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries and one of the largest energy complexes in the world, while between 13 and 15% of international trade movement passes through its shores.[1]

The Jazan Region has the Port of Jazan, the third of the Kingdom's ports on the Red Sea coast in terms of capacity; it is a link between land and sea trade for the southern part of the Kingdom and a rest stop for pilgrims coming from Yemen on the road linking Yemen and Makkah.[2]

The Jazan Region is described as the fruit basket of the Kingdom, holding more than one million mango trees, and it is among the most prominent regions for the production of coffee, honey and fish.[1]

The Farasan Islands have been classified as a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2021 CE, and the Qahar Mountains and Wadi Lajab have been included in the UNESCO tentative list.[1]

Saudi coffee is registered among the elements of the intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO, and prominent annual festivals are held in the Jazan Region, among them the Coffee Festival, the Mango Festival, the Honey Festival and the Hareed Festival.[1]

The Hareed Festival is held in the Farasan Islands at the gathering of the hareed fish in late March and early April, when residents gather at dawn on the Hasis coast to watch the fish.[3]

The Municipality of the Jazan Region has prepared its five-year strategic plan for the years 2024–2028 CE, and its portfolio of investment contracts has exceeded 4.7 billion riyals, with the privatisation of twelve municipal services completed.[4]

Q: Where is Jazan City located? A: In the southwestern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the Red Sea coast; it is the administrative capital of the Jazan Region.

Q: What is the area of the Jazan Region? A: About 13,457 km², making it the second smallest region of the Kingdom in area after the Al-Bahah Region.

Q: What are the most prominent natural landmarks of the Jazan Region? A: The Farasan Islands, classified as a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2021 CE, and the Qahar Mountains and Wadi Lajab, included in the UNESCO tentative list.

Q: What is the Jazan Region known for agriculturally? A: For the cultivation of mango, as it holds more than one million trees, alongside the production of coffee, honey and fish.

Q: What are the most prominent festivals of the Jazan Region? A: The Coffee Festival, the Mango Festival, the Honey Festival and the Hareed Festival.

Jazan City combines its administrative and service position as the capital of the Jazan Region, its regional port and facilities, and prominent economic, agricultural and natural assets, foremost among them the Special Economic Zone, the Farasan Islands and its annual festivals.[1][2]