Qatif City

Qatif City is a Saudi city in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, located on the shore of the Arabian Gulf and surrounded by the palm oases and agricultural lands for which it has been known throughout its history.[10]

Qatif Governorate rests on agriculture and fisheries: it contains more than 3,704 farms, and its market receives dates from its oases, alongside a fish market that is among the most important and oldest fish markets in the region.[3][10] The governorate also includes Tarout Island, the fourth-largest island in the Arabian Gulf.[1]

Qatif Governorate extends over an area of about 800 square kilometres, from the city of Safwa in the north to the city of Dammam in the south, and lies within the Eastern Province on the shore of the Arabian Gulf.[10]

Tarout Island and the town of Darin fall within the governorate's scope. Tarout Island is the fourth-largest island in the Arabian Gulf after Qeshm, Bubiyan and the Kingdom of Bahrain, and some historians have dated it to more than five thousand years before Christ, making it one of the oldest parts of the Arabian Peninsula.[1]

Qatif is an agricultural oasis in the Eastern Province containing more than 3,704 farms, of which 2,454 are productive of various crops such as dates, vegetables, grains, fodder, leafy greens and fruit. It holds more than 540,000 productive palm trees representing 30 varieties, and supplies local markets with about 29.5 tonnes of dates each year.[10]

Qatif's markets receive Khalas dates from its farms and oases, and many varieties are displayed there, including Al-Gharra, Al-Maji and Al-Khalas, which is considered among the finest types of dates, alongside 40 varieties offered in the markets.[9] This activity is bound up with a long agricultural heritage of caring for palms and producing dates, which date palm cultivation in the Kingdom embodies.[9]

The fish market of Qatif Governorate is among the most important and oldest fish markets in the Eastern Province and a contributor to the national economic wealth, with daily inflows exceeding 100 tonnes on average.[3]

More than 1,000 people work in the market, between employees and workers, frequenting the landing quays of Qatif, Darin, Jubail, Sayhat, Safwa, Dammam, Khobar and Manifah.[3]

The Fish Island project on the waterfront of Qatif Governorate is an artificial island covering more than 120,000 square metres. Its construction cost reached SAR 121,819,840, and it includes a wholesale auction yard exceeding 7,000 square metres, 84 retail fish outlets over 5,000 square metres, and shops for cleaning fish and handing them to shoppers.[4]

Qatif Governorate Municipality has prepared to launch the new fish market project on an artificial peninsula with an area of 110,600 square metres and a cost of seven million riyals as a first phase.[5]

Qatif Governorate Municipality opened the Arabian Gulf Road for those travelling from Qatif to Dammam after completing its development within the arterial roads rehabilitation project, whose costs exceed SAR 47 million, enhancing mobility and services in the governorate and linking its cities and suburbs.[6]

The development direction for Darin and Tarout Island and the island's future initiatives were approved, together with approval to establish the Darin and Tarout Island Development Foundation and an estimated budget of two billion and 644 million riyals.[2] The town of Darin holds documented milestones in the region's history, among them the Treaty of Darin.[2]

Darin and Tarout Island covers an area of 32 square kilometres and is home to 120,000 residents. To meet its objectives, more than 19 qualitative initiatives have been developed, among them the creation of the largest mangrove forest on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, the development of the cultural and heritage side, the revival of natural and environmental sites, and the advancement of quality of life and strengthening of the tourist economy.[2]

The board of directors of the Darin and Tarout Island Development Foundation reviewed the progress of development projects on the island and the report of its detailed master plan, which aims to develop a sustainable urban environment that enhances quality of life, within the framework of the Quality of Life Program.[12] This highlights the care given to the island alongside other coastal sites in the Kingdom such as Tarout Island.[2]

A historic house on Tarout Island in Qatif Governorate is being restored as part of plans to rehabilitate heritage sites and attract visitors and tourists, in cooperation between the Eastern Province Municipality and the Eastern Province Development Authority to preserve heritage, reinforce urban identity and attend to distinguished historic sites.[7]

The archaeological buildings in the region have been surveyed and number 124 urban heritage sites, 56 of which are investable.[7]

The first Qatif Festival opened on the waterfront of the Qatif Corniche in August 2016; it runs for 15 days and hosts 100 diverse activities.[8]

The General Entertainment Authority launched, within the events of the Qatif Calendar, the Qatif Cinema experience on the corniche at the Wahatna Farhana site, offering visitors a cinematic experience that combines the pleasure of watching films with the sea air, during the period from 28 May to 14 June with three screenings a day.[11]

The 'Qatif, a Healthy City' initiative was reviewed, together with the achievements realised and the standards accredited at the governorate level, within the framework of integrated work among government agencies to promote public health, improve quality of life and keep pace with the objectives of health transformation.[13]

Q: Where is Qatif City located? A: In the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the shore of the Arabian Gulf; Qatif Governorate extends from the city of Safwa in the north to the city of Dammam in the south, over an area of about 800 square kilometres.[10]

Q: What are the most prominent landmarks of Qatif? A: Tarout Island, the town of Darin, the fish market and the Fish Island project, alongside the palm oases and date farms.[1][3][4][10]

Q: What are Qatif's most important crops and varieties of dates? A: Qatif is known for dates and various agricultural crops; it holds more than 540,000 productive palms representing 30 varieties, and 40 varieties of dates are displayed in its markets.[9][10]

Q: What are the development projects on Darin and Tarout Island? A: They target more than 19 qualitative initiatives, including the creation of the largest mangrove forest on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, the development of the cultural and heritage side, the revival of natural sites, the advancement of quality of life and the strengthening of the tourist economy.[2]

Q: What events does Qatif host? A: Among its events are the Qatif Festival on the waterfront and the Qatif Cinema experience on the corniche within the events of the Qatif Calendar.[8][11]

Qatif City combines its coastal position on the Arabian Gulf and its palm oases and date farms [10], its fish market and the Fish Island project [3][4], and Darin and Tarout Island with its development direction and initiatives [2][12], alongside heritage, recreational and health assets.[7][8][13] Related topics on the platform include Al-Ahsa Oasis, Al Khobar and Farasan Islands Reserve.