Jazan, also spelled Jizan, Gizan or Gazan, is a port city and the capital of Jizan Region, which lies in the southwest corner of Saudi Arabia. Jazan City is situated on the coast of the Red Sea and serves a large agricultural heartland that has a population of 319,119 as of 2021 and over 1.5 million, within metropolitan area. As the city is the capital of the region, it has the regional airport as well as Jazan seaport. The area is noted for its high-quality production of tropical fruits like mango, figs, and papaya.
Jazan has one of the largest mega projects market in the kingdom with significant infrastructure projects worth many billions of dollars. Saudi Aramco is building a 400,000 bpd refinery with associated terminal facilities on the Red Sea near Jazan, scheduled for completion in late 2018.
In the early 20th century, Jazan was a major site for pearl fishing. When World War I began, trade declined at Jazan, moving to Al Hudaydah.
Today, ambitious projects in transport, renewable energy, tourism and agricultural development are taking place in Jizan region, particularly in Jazan Economic City, including a US$3 Billion aluminium smelter.
Jazan is being turned into Saudi Arabia’s naval industry hub. Furthermore, the southern and western outskirts of the city are a place which the Kingdom wants to turn into its agricultural hub due to the water underground as well as the rich and diverse soil.
[caption id="attachment_250035" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Mansa Musa - African king from Catalan Atlas (1375) by Abraham Cresques of Majorca[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Mansa Musa (reigned c.?1312 – c.?1337) was the ninth Mansa...
