Dammam
Encyclopedia
Dammam is the capital of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia
, the most oil-rich region in the world. The judicial and administrative bodies of the province and several government departments are located in the city. Dammam is the largest city in the Eastern Province and third largest in Saudi Arabia, after Riyadh
and Jeddah
. It is an important commercial hub and port.
Dammam, and the rest of the Eastern Province, is served by the King Fahd International Airport
(KFIA), the largest airport in the world in terms of land area (approximately 780 km2), about 20 km to the northwest of the city.
Dammam's King Abdul Aziz Sea Port is the largest on the Persian Gulf
. Its import-export traffic in the country is second only to Jeddah
's port.
and were given the chance to choose a land where to settle by HRM the late King Abdulaziz. Ad Dammam was immediately chosen for its vicinity to the island of Bahrain as the clan hoped to head back there soon, but the British rule in the region made it very hard for them to move in every sense (dividi et impera) so they finally realized they had to settle there for good. Years later, Sheikh Ahmed's brother moved south where he and his family settled in Al Khobar, which by that time was already inhabited. However this tiny episode gave to Khobar a population boost and close ties with the bigger city of Dammam.
When the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932, the area was the site of several hamlets that depended on fishing and pearls for their survival. Over a span of a little more than half a century, the area has developed into a thriving hub of industry, commerce and science, and home to more than half a million people. The area's transformation was launched with the discovery of oil in commercial quantities. The Eastern Province sits atop one of the largest oil fields in the world, and it was here in Dhahran in 1936 that Aramco, the predecessor of the national oil company of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco, dug the famous Dammam No. 7 well that proved beyond doubt that the Kingdom possessed a large supply of hydrocarbons.
The discovery of new oil fields to the south, west and north of Dammam in the 1940s and 1950s, which now account for a quarter of the world's proven oil reserves, triggered a building boom. Experts and technicians from throughout the Kingdom and the world gathered to help search for new oil fields and bring them on-stream. New pipelines had to be installed, storage facilities built and jetties constructed to handle tankers. The growing number of experts working in Dhahran required the building of housing, hospitals, schools for their children and other amenities. Before long, Dhahran, the corporate headquarters of Saudi Aramco, the largest oil company in the world, was spilling out into the desert in all directions.
The growth of the oil industry in the region had a similar impact on the small fishing village of Dammam and the hamlet of Al-Khobar. Within two decades of the discovery of oil, the mudbrick huts of the fisherman that crowded the shore and which constituted the only permanent dwellings in the area had given way to concrete buildings, modern housing, highways and landscaped streets. Located to the east of Dhahran on the Persian Gulf coast, Al-Khobar briefly became the shipping point for Saudi Arabian crude oil to the refinery in Bahrain. In the years leading up to World War II, Saudi Arabian oil production was very limited, and since the company had no refinery of its own, most of the oil was sent by small tankers to Bahrain. With the construction of a pipeline to Bahrain and the subsequent expansion of the oil industry in the post-war years, the focus of the shipping and oil industries shifted away from Al-Khobar northward to Dammam and Ras Tanura, one of the largest oil storage and shipping centers in the world, located 25 km to the north of Dammam. As a result, Al-Khobar gradually found a new role as the commercial center for the entire region.
In the early 1980s Dammam, the capital of the Eastern Region, was a separate city but so close to Al Khobar and Dhahran that the traveler could pass from one to the other in a few minutes. The discovery of oil in Dhahran and nearby fields and the growing importance of the entire region affected Dammam more than any other city in Saudi Arabia. Within three decades, the sleepy little fishing village had become the capital of the Eastern Province. The simultaneous growth of Dammam, Dhahran and Al-Khobar brought the three jurisdictions into physical contact, the three towns inevitably merged into one, creating a single municipality known as the Dammam Metropolitan Area, referred to simply as the Dammam Area. Each of the three towns which compose the Dammam Area retain their own character and some local administrative functions but, in terms of its place in the Kingdom, the Dammam Area forms a single administrative entity.
The growth of the Saudi Arabian oil industry into the largest in the world brought about the rapid development of the region. As oil production increased, so did the number of people required to run the industry. The growing population needed more housing and services. First-rate hospitals and schools provided further incentives for people considering a move to the area. Service industries sprouted up to support the oil industry and meet the needs of people living in the Dammam Area. As a result, a region which had several hundred inhabitants some sixty years ago now boasts a population of well over 1.5 million, growing at a pace of over five percent a year.
The key to the success of the Dammam Area is that unlike oil towns in other parts of the world, it has developed in all spheres. It is now a modern urban and industrial center which happens to be the headquarters of the Saudi Arabian oil industry. As this sector was growing in the early years, the Saudi Arabian government took steps to facilitate the evolution of the Dammam Area. New roads and highways connected the area to other urban and industrial centers in the Kingdom. A railway line connected Dammam to the agricultural center of Al-Kharj and on to Riyadh. Dhahran International Airport was established between Dhahran and Al-Khobar to connect the region to other parts of the Kingdom and the world.
To encourage the growth of non-oil industries, an industrial city was established in the open space between the three cities. Now home to more than 124 factories, the industrial complex is completely engulfed by an urban mass. As a result, a second industrial city was established further away from the Dammam Area along the highway to Riyadh. Located on nearly 6000 acres (24.3 km²) of land, the Second Industrial City is already home to 120 factories, with 160 others under construction. These plants manufacture a variety of consumer and industrial products that are marketed throughout the Kingdom and are exported to other countries around the world. Handling such exports, as well as imports from abroad, is the domain of shipping agents and commercial companies located in Dammam and Al-Khobar, making the Dammam Area not only a major oil producing and exporting area, but also a commercial and shipping center.
The growth of the region has necessitated the construction of a larger and more modern airport to replace the Dhahran International Airport which is now cramped for space. The new King Fahd International Airport, located 30 miles (48.3 km) to the west of Dammam, serves not only the Dammam Area but also the Jubail Industrial City, some 40 miles (64.4 km) to the north.
As it has in other parts of the Kingdom, the Ministry of Health has established several modern hospitals and a network of health care centers in the Dammam Area. These are supplemented by hospitals and clinics set up by the private sector.
Having been built from the ground up, the Dammam Area was designed from the outset on the principles of modern urban planning. Residential areas are separate from commercial sections, roads are broad and straight and buildings conform to a master plan. One of the main features of the development of the area is land reclamation. Vast stretches of the shallow Gulf waters have been filled, with hotels and office buildings occupying what were once marshes. Water for household, urban and industrial use is provided by desalination plants that supply approximately seven million cubic feet of treated water to the area each day. The availability of water underpins the urban and industrial growth of the Dammam Area, and provisions have been made for expanding existing desalination facilities to meet future growth.
The Dammam-Dhahran-Khobar area is a major hub for shipping, oil, commerce and industry. Tankers take on oil at the terminal in Ras Tanura.
The Dammam Area is also famous for the wide variety of recreational facilities it offers residents and visitors alike.
In many ways, the Dammam Area has evolved as the link between Saudi Arabia and the outside world, exporting the Kingdom's products and importing its needs and thriving on the interaction between Saudi Arabia and other countries.
. Unlike other Saudi Arabian cities, Dammam retains its warm temperature in winter, which can range from +10 °C (59 °F) to +22 °C. However the temperature regularly drops to as low as around 0 °C some days. Summer temperatures are very hot and break the 40 °C (104 °F) mark and on some days the 50 °C mark. Though average summer temperatures usually lie between 40 °C to 45 °C.
Rainfall in Dammam is generally sparse, and usually occurs in small amounts in December. Though some winters rainfall has been comparatively heavy resulting in water logged roads. There have also been several notable incidents of hail. Heavy thunderstorms are not uncommon in winter. (The thunderstorm of December 2008 being the largest in recent memory, with rain reaching around 3 inches.)
Some unusual events often happen during the year, such as dust storm
s in summer, coming from the Arabian Peninsula's
deserts or from North Africa.
, the largest airport in the world in terms of land area (approximately 780 km2). The terminal is about 25 km to the northwest of the city and is connected by an eight-lane highway. All other cities of the Eastern Province share this airport. Dammam is well connected by air with other cities in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
. It was founded in the late 1940s. It has large equipment that allows it to receive various types of vessels. The most important equipments are 56 multi-purpose hoist, 8 container cranes, and 524 tanker containers. There are a number of berths for ships and fishing, as well as ship repair yard.
, Dhahran
, Hofuf
, Jubail
(Dhahran–Jubail Highway), Khafji
, Khobar
(Dammam-Khobar Highway), Ras Tanura
, Sihat and Qatif
(Gulf Road (Saudi Arabia)
), as well as many cities in other parts of the Kingdom are linked with Dammam by 8-lane highways. Dammam is connected to the Saudi capital, Riyadh
and Jeddah
on the west coast by Highway 40
. It is also linked to Bahrain
by the 28 km long King Fahd Causeway
. Dammam also has highways to other Middle-Eastern countries such as Kuwait
(Abu Hadriyah Highway
), Oman
, Qatar
and the United Arab Emirates
.
through Hofuf
and Abqaiq
. It also operates a 556km cargo line starting at King Abdul Aziz Sea Port in Dammam and ending in a dry port
in Riyadh, passing by Hofuf, Abqaiq, Al-Kharj, Haradh
and Al-Tawdhihiyah. In addition, some 373km of auxiliary lines branch from SRO’s main lines to connect some industrial and agricultural areas and military sites with export ports and residential areas.
Two future railway projects connecting Dammam with Jeddah
via Riyadh and Mecca
in the western region and connecting Dammam with Jubail
have been proposed.
: 820 km (509.5 mi) Bahrain
: 62 km (38.5 mi) Dubai
: 960 km (596.5 mi) Kuwait City
: 387 km (240.5 mi) Qatar
: 188 km (116.8 mi)
Like other Saudi cities, The Nejdi Kabsa
is popular among the people of Dammam, often made with chicken instead of lamb meat. The Yemeni Mandi
is also popular as a lunch meal. Hejazi cuisine is popular as well and dishes like Mabshoor, Mitabbak, Foul, Areika, Hareisa, Kabab Meiroo, Shorabah Hareira (Hareira soup), Migalgal, Madhbi (chicken grilled on stone) Madfun (literally meaning buried), Magloobah, Kibdah, Manzalah (usually eaten at Eid ul-Fitr
), Ma'asoob, Magliya (Hijazi version of Falafel), Saleeig (Hijazi dish made of milk rice), Hummus, Biryani, Ruz Kabli, Ruz Bukhari, Saiyadyia, can be acquired in many traditional restaurants around the city.
Grilled meat has a good market in Dammam such as Shawarma
, Kofta
and Kebab
. During Ramadan
Sambousak and Ful
are the most popular meals during Dusk. These meals are almost found in Lebanese, Syrian, and Turkish restaurants.
International food is also popular in the city. American chains such as Pizza Hut
, McDonald's
, Burger King
, Domino's Pizza
and KFC
, among others are widely distributed in Dammam, as are more upscale chains like Chili's
, Applebee's
and TGI Friday's. Due to the large number of South Asian immigrants, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Japanese, and other Eastern/Asian food are also popular. European restaurants, such as Italian and French, are also found throughout the city.
There are also local fast food chains such as Abu Nawas (serving mainly broasted chicken), Fillfilah and several others.
Water sports are available to all at the Coastal City set up by the General Presidency for Youth Welfare, which is now a commercial concern open to families, in Half Moon Bay to the south of the city, and through private clubs in the area.
There are many spots where diving is possible along the Arabian Sea coastline, but few are attractive. South of Khobar at Half-Moon Bay is a site where a diver group has placed old trucks and cars in the water near shore, attempting to create an artificial reef. The spot is about 5 kilometers south of the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Amusement Park in an open coast area just past a public bathroom, and a private marina (shown above left). Pull off the road and park next to the covered picnic structures (shown above right) that have a raised concrete floor. A large tractor tire in the inter-tidal shallow water area marks the spot to begin the dive. This location sports various types of fish and many small shells. There is little if any coral growth here, and the vehicles seem to be covered in barnacles, but it remains an interesting dive. You can arrange diving here through Sharky's in Khobar or Durrah Dive Center in Jubail. There is a group of divers who meet here early on Friday mornings to dive
King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) is located 20 kilometers (about 12 miles) northwest of Dammam. It is the largest airport in the world in terms of land area (780 km²), thus making it larger than the nearby country of Bahrain
. It was opened on 28 November 1999 to commercial traffic, and all airlines transferred their operations from the former Dhahran International Airport, which had been in use until then. The new Dammam airport serves the entire Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia and in particular the growing urban complex made up of Dammam, Dhahran, Al Khobar, Qatif, Ras Tanura, while its catchment area also covers Jubail. The airport is the third major hub for Saudi Arabian Airlines, it is also a hub for the Sama Airlines.
A large number of smaller parks are scattered throughout the area with scenic beauty, perfect places to spend evenings. The water for much of the parks comes from recycling urban and industrial runoff. The sprawling area of the park contains amenities for families, from children to elders alike. A central cafeteria serves fast food and drinks in a large sitting area for families. You will also find pools, man-made lagoons, artificial lakes, green spaces, large waterfalls, fountains, greenery, and buildings – all designed to offer soothing relief.
Within the park, Saudi Amusement Center caters to the entertainment of children one of the largest parks in the region. Extremely modern in concept and design and run by professionals, the center boasts an exciting train ride to take visitors around the park.
Besides these, almost every mall in Dammam has a section dedicated to rides and amusements for children. Al Shatea Mall, for example, features an indoor artificial ice skating rink and an amusement park.
Many other malls, complexes and hypermarkets are under construction in the city.
Also be found in the city offices of several newspapers in Saudi Arabia and some other publications such as Al-Riyadh newspaper, Okaz, home, life, sun, her journal, Layalina.
the waterfront of old and new waterfront.
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, the most oil-rich region in the world. The judicial and administrative bodies of the province and several government departments are located in the city. Dammam is the largest city in the Eastern Province and third largest in Saudi Arabia, after Riyadh
Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a...
and Jeddah
Jeddah
Jeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The...
. It is an important commercial hub and port.
Dammam, and the rest of the Eastern Province, is served by the King Fahd International Airport
King Fahd International Airport
King Fahd International Airport is located 20 kilometers northwest of Dammam, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest airport in the world in terms of land area . The airport's basic infrastructure was complete by the end of 1990, which allowed the Allied forces engaged in the first Gulf War in early...
(KFIA), the largest airport in the world in terms of land area (approximately 780 km2), about 20 km to the northwest of the city.
Dammam's King Abdul Aziz Sea Port is the largest on the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
. Its import-export traffic in the country is second only to Jeddah
Jeddah
Jeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The...
's port.
Etymology
The origins of the name "Dammam" is controversial, some say that it is onomatopoeic and it was given to the area because of a drum positioned in a nearby keep, when sounded for the alarm it produced a melody called "damdamah", others say that the name was given according to the Arabic word "dawwama" (whirlpool) which indicated a nearby sea site that Dhows usually had to avoid.History
Ad Dammam was first inhabited by a clan of Al Dossary tribe and a number of The Howela families in the early 1923. The families led by Sheikh Ahmed Ibn Abdullah ibn Hassan Al Dossary migrated from BahrainBahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
and were given the chance to choose a land where to settle by HRM the late King Abdulaziz. Ad Dammam was immediately chosen for its vicinity to the island of Bahrain as the clan hoped to head back there soon, but the British rule in the region made it very hard for them to move in every sense (dividi et impera) so they finally realized they had to settle there for good. Years later, Sheikh Ahmed's brother moved south where he and his family settled in Al Khobar, which by that time was already inhabited. However this tiny episode gave to Khobar a population boost and close ties with the bigger city of Dammam.
When the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932, the area was the site of several hamlets that depended on fishing and pearls for their survival. Over a span of a little more than half a century, the area has developed into a thriving hub of industry, commerce and science, and home to more than half a million people. The area's transformation was launched with the discovery of oil in commercial quantities. The Eastern Province sits atop one of the largest oil fields in the world, and it was here in Dhahran in 1936 that Aramco, the predecessor of the national oil company of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco, dug the famous Dammam No. 7 well that proved beyond doubt that the Kingdom possessed a large supply of hydrocarbons.
The discovery of new oil fields to the south, west and north of Dammam in the 1940s and 1950s, which now account for a quarter of the world's proven oil reserves, triggered a building boom. Experts and technicians from throughout the Kingdom and the world gathered to help search for new oil fields and bring them on-stream. New pipelines had to be installed, storage facilities built and jetties constructed to handle tankers. The growing number of experts working in Dhahran required the building of housing, hospitals, schools for their children and other amenities. Before long, Dhahran, the corporate headquarters of Saudi Aramco, the largest oil company in the world, was spilling out into the desert in all directions.
The growth of the oil industry in the region had a similar impact on the small fishing village of Dammam and the hamlet of Al-Khobar. Within two decades of the discovery of oil, the mudbrick huts of the fisherman that crowded the shore and which constituted the only permanent dwellings in the area had given way to concrete buildings, modern housing, highways and landscaped streets. Located to the east of Dhahran on the Persian Gulf coast, Al-Khobar briefly became the shipping point for Saudi Arabian crude oil to the refinery in Bahrain. In the years leading up to World War II, Saudi Arabian oil production was very limited, and since the company had no refinery of its own, most of the oil was sent by small tankers to Bahrain. With the construction of a pipeline to Bahrain and the subsequent expansion of the oil industry in the post-war years, the focus of the shipping and oil industries shifted away from Al-Khobar northward to Dammam and Ras Tanura, one of the largest oil storage and shipping centers in the world, located 25 km to the north of Dammam. As a result, Al-Khobar gradually found a new role as the commercial center for the entire region.
In the early 1980s Dammam, the capital of the Eastern Region, was a separate city but so close to Al Khobar and Dhahran that the traveler could pass from one to the other in a few minutes. The discovery of oil in Dhahran and nearby fields and the growing importance of the entire region affected Dammam more than any other city in Saudi Arabia. Within three decades, the sleepy little fishing village had become the capital of the Eastern Province. The simultaneous growth of Dammam, Dhahran and Al-Khobar brought the three jurisdictions into physical contact, the three towns inevitably merged into one, creating a single municipality known as the Dammam Metropolitan Area, referred to simply as the Dammam Area. Each of the three towns which compose the Dammam Area retain their own character and some local administrative functions but, in terms of its place in the Kingdom, the Dammam Area forms a single administrative entity.
The growth of the Saudi Arabian oil industry into the largest in the world brought about the rapid development of the region. As oil production increased, so did the number of people required to run the industry. The growing population needed more housing and services. First-rate hospitals and schools provided further incentives for people considering a move to the area. Service industries sprouted up to support the oil industry and meet the needs of people living in the Dammam Area. As a result, a region which had several hundred inhabitants some sixty years ago now boasts a population of well over 1.5 million, growing at a pace of over five percent a year.
The key to the success of the Dammam Area is that unlike oil towns in other parts of the world, it has developed in all spheres. It is now a modern urban and industrial center which happens to be the headquarters of the Saudi Arabian oil industry. As this sector was growing in the early years, the Saudi Arabian government took steps to facilitate the evolution of the Dammam Area. New roads and highways connected the area to other urban and industrial centers in the Kingdom. A railway line connected Dammam to the agricultural center of Al-Kharj and on to Riyadh. Dhahran International Airport was established between Dhahran and Al-Khobar to connect the region to other parts of the Kingdom and the world.
To encourage the growth of non-oil industries, an industrial city was established in the open space between the three cities. Now home to more than 124 factories, the industrial complex is completely engulfed by an urban mass. As a result, a second industrial city was established further away from the Dammam Area along the highway to Riyadh. Located on nearly 6000 acres (24.3 km²) of land, the Second Industrial City is already home to 120 factories, with 160 others under construction. These plants manufacture a variety of consumer and industrial products that are marketed throughout the Kingdom and are exported to other countries around the world. Handling such exports, as well as imports from abroad, is the domain of shipping agents and commercial companies located in Dammam and Al-Khobar, making the Dammam Area not only a major oil producing and exporting area, but also a commercial and shipping center.
The growth of the region has necessitated the construction of a larger and more modern airport to replace the Dhahran International Airport which is now cramped for space. The new King Fahd International Airport, located 30 miles (48.3 km) to the west of Dammam, serves not only the Dammam Area but also the Jubail Industrial City, some 40 miles (64.4 km) to the north.
As it has in other parts of the Kingdom, the Ministry of Health has established several modern hospitals and a network of health care centers in the Dammam Area. These are supplemented by hospitals and clinics set up by the private sector.
Having been built from the ground up, the Dammam Area was designed from the outset on the principles of modern urban planning. Residential areas are separate from commercial sections, roads are broad and straight and buildings conform to a master plan. One of the main features of the development of the area is land reclamation. Vast stretches of the shallow Gulf waters have been filled, with hotels and office buildings occupying what were once marshes. Water for household, urban and industrial use is provided by desalination plants that supply approximately seven million cubic feet of treated water to the area each day. The availability of water underpins the urban and industrial growth of the Dammam Area, and provisions have been made for expanding existing desalination facilities to meet future growth.
The Dammam-Dhahran-Khobar area is a major hub for shipping, oil, commerce and industry. Tankers take on oil at the terminal in Ras Tanura.
The Dammam Area is also famous for the wide variety of recreational facilities it offers residents and visitors alike.
In many ways, the Dammam Area has evolved as the link between Saudi Arabia and the outside world, exporting the Kingdom's products and importing its needs and thriving on the interaction between Saudi Arabia and other countries.
Geographical Districts
This list is incomplete.- Abdallah Fouad
- Ad Dawaser
- Al Adama
- Al Ahmadiyyah
- Al Amamrah
- Al Amir Talal
- Al Anoud
- Al Arifi
- Al Aziziyah
- Al Badee
- Al Badia
- Al Eskaan
- Al Faisaliah
- Al Hamra
- Al Itisalat
- Al Jalawi
- Al Jalawiyyah
- Al Jam'iyyin
- Al Khaleej
- Al Khalidiya North
- Al Khalidiya South
- Al Khalidiyah Al Janubiah
- Al Khalidiyah Al Shamalia
- Al Marjan Island
- Al Mazroeiah
- Al Mohamadiah
- Al Mubarkiyyah
- Al Mutlaq
- Al Nakheel
- Al Naseriah
- Al Qazzaz
- Al Rakah al Shamalia
- Al Rabee
- Al Safa
- Al Shatie Al Garbi
- Al Shatie Al Sharqi
- Al Shiraa
- Al Souq/Al Souk
- Al Toubaishi
- Al Wahah
- An Nakhil
- Ash Shati
- Corniche
- Faisaliyat Ash Sharq
- Ghannam
- Ghurnata
- Ibn Khaldoun
- 1st Industrial City
- 2nd Industrial City
- King Abdul Aziz Sea Port
- King Fahd District
- Muhammad bin Saud
- Muhammadiyah
- Madinat Al Ummal
- National Guard
- Qadisiyah
- Tarot Island
- Al Rayyan (Andalusia)
- Al-Manar
- Anoud
- Bader
- Dana (حي الدانة)
- Ether (الاثير)
- Faiha (حي الفيحاء)
- Flame (Alfajrip)
- Hussam
- Marina (Fanar)
- Nawras (Petromin)
- Palace
- Ulaymaniyah
- Yamama
- Safa
- Zahra
Climate
Dammam features an arid climate under Koppen's climate classificationKöppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
. Unlike other Saudi Arabian cities, Dammam retains its warm temperature in winter, which can range from +10 °C (59 °F) to +22 °C. However the temperature regularly drops to as low as around 0 °C some days. Summer temperatures are very hot and break the 40 °C (104 °F) mark and on some days the 50 °C mark. Though average summer temperatures usually lie between 40 °C to 45 °C.
Rainfall in Dammam is generally sparse, and usually occurs in small amounts in December. Though some winters rainfall has been comparatively heavy resulting in water logged roads. There have also been several notable incidents of hail. Heavy thunderstorms are not uncommon in winter. (The thunderstorm of December 2008 being the largest in recent memory, with rain reaching around 3 inches.)
Some unusual events often happen during the year, such as dust storm
Dust storm
A dust / sand storm is a meteorological phenomenon common in arid and semi-arid regions. Dust storms arise when a gust front or other strong wind blows loose sand and dirt from a dry surface. Particles are transported by saltation and suspension, causing soil to move from one place and deposition...
s in summer, coming from the Arabian Peninsula's
Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula is a land mass situated north-east of Africa. Also known as Arabia or the Arabian subcontinent, it is the world's largest peninsula and covers 3,237,500 km2...
deserts or from North Africa.
- Note, the historical weather data below appears incorrect. Daytime temperatures in June, July, & August are rarely below 110F and often above 120F.
| Dammam Climatological Data | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |
| Record high °C (°F) | 33 (91) | 35 (95) | 38 (100) | 40 (104) | 42 (108) | 47 (117) | 42 (108) | 42 (108) | 42 (108) | 41 (106) | 41 (106) | 34 (93) | ||
| Average high °C (°F) | 20 (70) | 22 (74) | 26 (80) | 33 (91) | 35 (95) | 36 (97) | 37 (99) | 37 (99) | 36 (97) | 35 (95) | 33 (91) | 21 (71) | 33 (91) | |
| Average low °C (°F) | 10 (50) | 12 (53) | 15 (60) | 21 (70) | 23 (73) | 24 (75) | 26 (79) | 27 (81) | 25 (77) | 23 (73) | 22 (72) | 11 (53) | 22 (72) | |
| Record low °C (°F) | 3 (37) | 11 (52) | 13 (55) | 12 (54) | 13 (55) | 19 (66) | 21 (70) | 23 (73) | 21 (70) | 20 (68) | 17 (63) | 10 (50) | ||
| Rainfall mm (in) | 5 (0.2) | 6 (0.3) | 1 (0.1) | 1 (0.1) | 5 (0.5) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 25 (1.0) | 31 (1.2) | 67 (2.6) | |
Transportation
Air
Dammam is served by the King Fahd International AirportKing Fahd International Airport
King Fahd International Airport is located 20 kilometers northwest of Dammam, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest airport in the world in terms of land area . The airport's basic infrastructure was complete by the end of 1990, which allowed the Allied forces engaged in the first Gulf War in early...
, the largest airport in the world in terms of land area (approximately 780 km2). The terminal is about 25 km to the northwest of the city and is connected by an eight-lane highway. All other cities of the Eastern Province share this airport. Dammam is well connected by air with other cities in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
Sea
Dammam's King Abdulaziz Sea Port, located on the Persian Gulf coast, is the second largest port of Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
. It was founded in the late 1940s. It has large equipment that allows it to receive various types of vessels. The most important equipments are 56 multi-purpose hoist, 8 container cranes, and 524 tanker containers. There are a number of berths for ships and fishing, as well as ship repair yard.
Road
Eastern Province cities like AbqaiqAbqaiq
Abqaiq, or in Arabic Bqaiq , is a Saudi Aramco camp in the interior of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, located in the desert 60 km southwest of the Dhahran-Dammam-Khobar metropolitan area. The camp was built in the 1940s by ARAMCO...
, Dhahran
Dhahran
Dhahran is a city located in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, and is a major administrative center for the Saudi oil industry. Large oil reserves were first identified in the Dhahran area in 1931, and in 1935 Standard Oil of California drilled the first commercially viable oil well...
, Hofuf
Hofuf
Al-Hofuf is the major urban center in the Al-Ahsa Oasis in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.- Overview :...
, Jubail
Jubail
Jubail , is a city in the Eastern province on the Persian Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia. It consists of the Old Town of Al Jubail, which was originally a small fishing village, up to 1975 and the new industrial area....
(Dhahran–Jubail Highway), Khafji
Khafji
Ras Al Khafji or Khafji is a town on the border between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It lies in what was before 1970 a neutral zone between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia...
, Khobar
Khobar
Khobar is a large city located in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the Persian Gulf. It has a population of 360,000 and forms part of the greater Dammam metropolitan area along with Dhahran, which together have a combined population of over two million...
(Dammam-Khobar Highway), Ras Tanura
Ras Tanura
Ras Tanura is a city in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia located on a peninsula extending into the Persian Gulf...
, Sihat and Qatif
Qatif
Qatif or Al-Qatif is a governorate and urban area located in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. It extends from Ras Tanura and Jubail in the north to Dammam in the south, and from the Persian Gulf in the east to King Fahd International Airport in the west...
(Gulf Road (Saudi Arabia)
Gulf Road
The Gulf Road is a long stretch of road along the coast of Kuwait City that starts at Jahrah and ends south at Messila, where it joins the Sixth Ring Road. Another stretch actually called the Coastal Road, from Fintas to Fahaheel is also sometimes called the Gulf Road...
), as well as many cities in other parts of the Kingdom are linked with Dammam by 8-lane highways. Dammam is connected to the Saudi capital, Riyadh
Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a...
and Jeddah
Jeddah
Jeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The...
on the west coast by Highway 40
Highway 40 (Saudi Arabia)
Highway 40 is the most important highway of Saudi Arabia, linking the largest cities by crossing the entire country and Arabian desert. The 1,359 km highway connects Jeddah and Mecca on the west coast to Dammam on the east coast, passing through the capital of Riyadh on the way where it intersects...
. It is also linked to Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
by the 28 km long King Fahd Causeway
King Fahd Causeway
The King Fahd Causeway is a causeway connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The idea of constructing the causeway was based on improving the links and bonds between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain...
. Dammam also has highways to other Middle-Eastern countries such as Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
(Abu Hadriyah Highway
Abu Hadriyah Highway
A major highway in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. It extends from King Fahd Causeway to Kuwait borders serving major cities such as Dammam and Jubail....
), Oman
Oman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
, Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
and the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
.
Rail
The headquarters of the Saudi Railways Organization, Saudi Arabia's sole railway operator, is in Dammam. The passenger terminal in Dammam was the first in Saudi Arabia and built in 1981. It is considered to be a major terminal in the Saudi railway network. Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) operates a 449km passenger line that connects Dammam to RiyadhRiyadh
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a...
through Hofuf
Hofuf
Al-Hofuf is the major urban center in the Al-Ahsa Oasis in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.- Overview :...
and Abqaiq
Abqaiq
Abqaiq, or in Arabic Bqaiq , is a Saudi Aramco camp in the interior of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, located in the desert 60 km southwest of the Dhahran-Dammam-Khobar metropolitan area. The camp was built in the 1940s by ARAMCO...
. It also operates a 556km cargo line starting at King Abdul Aziz Sea Port in Dammam and ending in a dry port
Dry port
A dry port is an inland intermodal terminal directly connected by road or rail to a seaport and operating as a centre for the transshipment of sea cargo to inland destinations....
in Riyadh, passing by Hofuf, Abqaiq, Al-Kharj, Haradh
Haradh
Haradh is a small village in Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia. Haradh is famous for its oil-rich and gas-rich fields. Several oil plants and a gas plant are located in the Haradh area.- Oil :Haradh is located on top of the massive Ghawar Field...
and Al-Tawdhihiyah. In addition, some 373km of auxiliary lines branch from SRO’s main lines to connect some industrial and agricultural areas and military sites with export ports and residential areas.
Two future railway projects connecting Dammam with Jeddah
Jeddah
Jeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The...
via Riyadh and Mecca
Mecca
Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level...
in the western region and connecting Dammam with Jubail
Jubail
Jubail , is a city in the Eastern province on the Persian Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia. It consists of the Old Town of Al Jubail, which was originally a small fishing village, up to 1975 and the new industrial area....
have been proposed.
Eastern Province
- AbqaiqAbqaiqAbqaiq, or in Arabic Bqaiq , is a Saudi Aramco camp in the interior of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, located in the desert 60 km southwest of the Dhahran-Dammam-Khobar metropolitan area. The camp was built in the 1940s by ARAMCO...
: 71 km (44.1 mi) - Al Hasa : 120 km (74.6 mi)
- DhahranDhahranDhahran is a city located in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, and is a major administrative center for the Saudi oil industry. Large oil reserves were first identified in the Dhahran area in 1931, and in 1935 Standard Oil of California drilled the first commercially viable oil well...
: 25 km (15.5 mi) - JubailJubailJubail , is a city in the Eastern province on the Persian Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia. It consists of the Old Town of Al Jubail, which was originally a small fishing village, up to 1975 and the new industrial area....
: 78 km (48.5 mi) - KhobarKhobarKhobar is a large city located in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the Persian Gulf. It has a population of 360,000 and forms part of the greater Dammam metropolitan area along with Dhahran, which together have a combined population of over two million...
: 18 km (11.2 mi) - QatifQatifQatif or Al-Qatif is a governorate and urban area located in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. It extends from Ras Tanura and Jubail in the north to Dammam in the south, and from the Persian Gulf in the east to King Fahd International Airport in the west...
: 20 km (12.4 mi)
Saudi Arabia
- JeddahJeddahJeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The...
: 1359 km (844.4 mi) - RiyadhRiyadhRiyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a...
: 395 km (245.4 mi)
Gulf Cities/States
Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
: 820 km (509.5 mi) Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
: 62 km (38.5 mi) Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
: 960 km (596.5 mi) Kuwait City
Kuwait City
-Suburbs:Although the districts below are not usually recognized as suburbs, the following is a list of a few areas surrounding Kuwait city:Al-Salam ""السلام"" -Economy:...
: 387 km (240.5 mi) Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
: 188 km (116.8 mi)
Cuisine
Dammam residents are a mix of several different ethnicities and nationalities. This mixture of races has made a major impact on Dammam's traditional cuisine.Like other Saudi cities, The Nejdi Kabsa
Kabsa
Kabsa is a family of rice dishes that are served mostly in Saudi Arabia — where it is commonly regarded as a national dish — and the other Arab states of the Persian Gulf. Kabsa, though, is believed to be indigenous to Yemen...
is popular among the people of Dammam, often made with chicken instead of lamb meat. The Yemeni Mandi
Mandi (food)
Mandi is the traditional dish in Yemen native to Hadhramaut Province Yemen and many other Yemeni Cities known as Haneeth also.It is now very popular in the rest of the Arabian Peninsula and in many other Arab countries such as Egypt and Syria....
is also popular as a lunch meal. Hejazi cuisine is popular as well and dishes like Mabshoor, Mitabbak, Foul, Areika, Hareisa, Kabab Meiroo, Shorabah Hareira (Hareira soup), Migalgal, Madhbi (chicken grilled on stone) Madfun (literally meaning buried), Magloobah, Kibdah, Manzalah (usually eaten at Eid ul-Fitr
Eid ul-Fitr
Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Fitr, Id-ul-Fitr, or Id al-Fitr , often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting . Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity," while Fiṭr means "breaking the fast"...
), Ma'asoob, Magliya (Hijazi version of Falafel), Saleeig (Hijazi dish made of milk rice), Hummus, Biryani, Ruz Kabli, Ruz Bukhari, Saiyadyia, can be acquired in many traditional restaurants around the city.
Grilled meat has a good market in Dammam such as Shawarma
Shawarma
Shawarma is a Levantine Arab sandwich-like wrap of shaved lamb, goat, chicken, turkey, beef, or mixed meats. The meat is placed on a spit, and may be grilled for as long as a day. It is eaten with pita bread, tabbouleh, fattoush, taboon bread, tomato and cucumber. Toppings include tahini, hummus,...
, Kofta
Kofta
Kofta is a Middle Eastern and South Asian meatball or meatloaf.In the simplest form, koftas consist of balls of minced or ground meat—usually beef or lamb—mixed with spices and/or onions...
and Kebab
Kebab
Kebab is a wide variety of meat dishes originating in Middle East and later on adopted by the Middle East, and Asia Minor, and now found worldwide. In English, kebab with no qualification generally refers more specifically to shish kebab served on the skewer...
. During Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
Sambousak and Ful
Ful Medames
Fūl medammis , or simply fūl, is an Egyptian dish of cooked and mashed fava beans served with olive oil, chopped parsley, onion, garlic, and lemon juice. A staple meal in Egypt, it is popular in the cuisines of the Levant, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan and Saudi Arabia.-History:The roots of fūl...
are the most popular meals during Dusk. These meals are almost found in Lebanese, Syrian, and Turkish restaurants.
International food is also popular in the city. American chains such as Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is an American restaurant chain and international franchise that offers different styles of pizza along with side dishes including pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread....
, McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
, Burger King
Burger King
Burger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
, Domino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza, Inc. is an international pizza delivery corporation headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America. Founded in 1960, Domino's is the second-largest pizza chain in the United States and has over 9,000 corporate and franchised stores in 60 countries and all 50 U.S....
and KFC
KFC
KFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States. KFC has been a brand and operating segment, termed a concept of Yum! Brands since 1997 when that company was spun off from PepsiCo as Tricon Global...
, among others are widely distributed in Dammam, as are more upscale chains like Chili's
Chili's
Chili's Grill & Bar is a restaurant chain founded by Larry Lavine. The chain has more than 1400 casual dining restaurants, mostly located in the United States and Canada...
, Applebee's
Applebee's
Applebee’s International, Inc., is an American company which develops, franchises, and operates the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurant chain. As of September 2011, there were 2,010 restaurants operating system-wide in the United States, one U.S. territory and 14 other countries...
and TGI Friday's. Due to the large number of South Asian immigrants, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Japanese, and other Eastern/Asian food are also popular. European restaurants, such as Italian and French, are also found throughout the city.
There are also local fast food chains such as Abu Nawas (serving mainly broasted chicken), Fillfilah and several others.
Sports
- Prince Mohamed bin Fahd StadiumPrince Mohamed bin Fahd StadiumPrince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. It is currently used mostly for football matches, and is the home of Ettifaq FC. The stadium has a capacity of 26,000 people. It is named after Muhammad bin Fahd, who is a the Governor of the Eastern Province...
is multi-purpose stadium, but mostly used for football. It is the largest stadium in Dammam with a capacity for 35,000 people. It was founded in 1973. It is the home of the Saudi Professional League club, Al-Ettifaq. - Tennis Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd in Dammam Center.
- Hall Green located in the city sports between Dammam and Al Khobar.
- Club agreement and the famous b (Fares Dahna) is located in Sports City.
- Renaissance and the famous (b giant Dammam) is located in Sports City as well.
Tourism
One of the most popular tourist attractions of the city of Dammam, is the Dammam Corniche.Corniche Dammam
A panoramic view of natural beauty, Dammam Corniche forms part of the gigantic seaside project stretching from Aziziah Beach to Tarot Island. The Corniche has expanded greatly since around 2007. Interspersed along the Corniche are massive, modern art installations, which reflect the creativity of their makers and the nation's love of art. The Corniche is a local destination for families and friends for leisure time, especially in the evenings after work to enjoy. A spacious area between Dammam and Al Khobar has been designated specifically for sports and game facilities. Major clubs, which allow locals and expatriates alike to take part in sport, are located in this area.Water sports are available to all at the Coastal City set up by the General Presidency for Youth Welfare, which is now a commercial concern open to families, in Half Moon Bay to the south of the city, and through private clubs in the area.
Interface Dammam Navy
The longest sea interface in the kingdom and called it (Park Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah) and a length of 4.5 km and is located in the western part of the neighborhood west coast, and features spacious green spaces and beautiful fountains that come from the sea, increase beauty of the place at night as they contain investment sites dedicated to various activities under implementation including the establishment of market folklore (The caesarean section) and the construction of a pier (marina Dammam) and the draft (vehicles cruise) and the draft (the gym) for young people.Coral Island
Where family fun sessions and specificity, the first island tourist industry in the UK and away from the Corniche, a distance of 1800 meters was established by Saudi Aramco adorned with towering field name (Lighthouse), where the visitor can climb to the above and watch to see what can be the eye of the features of the city, and became a place to relax and amateur fishing fish.Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay, covering an area about 22 thousand hectares, is the one of most popular beaches in the region and gets its name from it’s semi-circular shape. It also has two amusement parks in the vicinity.There are many spots where diving is possible along the Arabian Sea coastline, but few are attractive. South of Khobar at Half-Moon Bay is a site where a diver group has placed old trucks and cars in the water near shore, attempting to create an artificial reef. The spot is about 5 kilometers south of the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Amusement Park in an open coast area just past a public bathroom, and a private marina (shown above left). Pull off the road and park next to the covered picnic structures (shown above right) that have a raised concrete floor. A large tractor tire in the inter-tidal shallow water area marks the spot to begin the dive. This location sports various types of fish and many small shells. There is little if any coral growth here, and the vehicles seem to be covered in barnacles, but it remains an interesting dive. You can arrange diving here through Sharky's in Khobar or Durrah Dive Center in Jubail. There is a group of divers who meet here early on Friday mornings to dive
Heritage Centre Dammam
This museum depicts various aspects of regional life in Saudi Arabia. It also has a restaurant. Dammam Corniche. Regional Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography: Interesting collection of local Bedouin crafts, traditional costumes and Islamic pottery, as well as some Stone Age tools.King Fahd International Airport (KFIA)
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
. It was opened on 28 November 1999 to commercial traffic, and all airlines transferred their operations from the former Dhahran International Airport, which had been in use until then. The new Dammam airport serves the entire Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia and in particular the growing urban complex made up of Dammam, Dhahran, Al Khobar, Qatif, Ras Tanura, while its catchment area also covers Jubail. The airport is the third major hub for Saudi Arabian Airlines, it is also a hub for the Sama Airlines.
King Fahd Park
The King Fahd Park in Dammam is the largest in the Kingdom. King Fahd Park is located along the Dammam-Dhahran Express Road, north of the Gulf Palace and almost equidistant from the townships of Dammam and Al-Khobar. Spread over 1,120 million square meters in the heart of the Dammam Area, its millions of trees and bushes is a haven of greenery and many ornamental pools provide a refuge for families in the heart of the city.A large number of smaller parks are scattered throughout the area with scenic beauty, perfect places to spend evenings. The water for much of the parks comes from recycling urban and industrial runoff. The sprawling area of the park contains amenities for families, from children to elders alike. A central cafeteria serves fast food and drinks in a large sitting area for families. You will also find pools, man-made lagoons, artificial lakes, green spaces, large waterfalls, fountains, greenery, and buildings – all designed to offer soothing relief.
Within the park, Saudi Amusement Center caters to the entertainment of children one of the largest parks in the region. Extremely modern in concept and design and run by professionals, the center boasts an exciting train ride to take visitors around the park.
Kind Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
Several hundred modern primary and secondary schools provide all residents of the Dammam Area with access to free education. The region boasts several colleges and is also the site of one of the most modern universities in the Middle East. The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, located in Dhahran, offers graduate and post-graduate degrees in engineering, applied engineering, science, industrial management, environmental design and other fields. It also runs a state-of-the-art center where scientists conduct research on a variety of topics, from geology to computer design. Additionally, two of King Faisal University's Colleges, medicine and architecture and urban planning, are located in Dammam.King Abdul Aziz Seaport
A modern port complex, known as the King Abdul Aziz Seaport, was built at Dammam to handle non-oil shipping. The Dammam-Riyadh railway and highways connect the port to points throughout the Kingdom. The complex is equipped with four jetties, the longest being two miles (3 km), hundreds of cranes and lifts, storage facilities, a ship repair dock and a modern ship traffic control center. The complex is now the Kingdom's largest outlet to the sea in eastern Saudi Arabia.National Museum
Dammam National Museum is located on the 4th floor of the Dammam Public Library, opposite the Muhammad bin Fahd Stadium on the cross lane from the Dammam-Khobar Highway in Al Toubaishi district. A must for visitors to the region, the museum focuses on the country's history, culture, and inhabitants through displays of relics and remnants of handicrafts.Amusements Parks
- Al Hokair Fun Lake (Happy Land)
- Half Moon Bay Amusement Park
- Fun City
- City of Gulf entertainment (Cobra).
- The world of recreational adventures.
- Art of Time Recreational Park.
- Village dolphin entertainment.
- Park Mount Almreekpat.
- Zoo within Mintz, King Fahd.
- King Fahd Amusement Park.
- Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Amusement Park.
Besides these, almost every mall in Dammam has a section dedicated to rides and amusements for children. Al Shatea Mall, for example, features an indoor artificial ice skating rink and an amusement park.
Hotels
- Sheraton Dammam Hotel and Towers, 1st Street
- Al Arifi Hotel, King Faisal 9th Street
- Al Batha
- Al Dossary Hotel
- Al Nemer Hotel, 1st Street facing Al Andalus Garden
- Asia Hotel
- Balhamar Hotel
- Balqees Throne Hotel
- Carlton Mobeid Hotel
- The Dammam Hotel
- Marriott International Hotel
- Dammam Palace Hotel
- Golden Tulip Al Hamra (formerly Holiday InnHoliday InnHoliday Inn is a brand of hotels, formally a economy motel chain, forming part of the British InterContinental Hotels Group . It is one of the world's largest hotel chains with 238,440 bedrooms and 1,301 hotels globally. There are currently 5 hotels in the pipeline...
), King Khalid street - Gulf Flower Hotel
- Hotel Al Jaber
- Hotel Haramain
- Novotel Dammam
- Palace Hotel Dhahran
- Safari Hotel
- Ramada Dammam Hotel And Suites
- Tulip Inn Dammam
- Uraifey
Resorts and chalets
- Chalets cottage sea Dammam Corniche.
- Resort beach club on the Corniche Dammam as well.
- Leisure resort within the city of Prince Mohammed bin Fahd's half-moon beach.
- Half Moon Resort.
Shopping
Dammam is frequented by shoppers from the eastern region due to the large commercial complexes, malls and shops selling diverse goods and brands.- Al Bilad Mall
- Al Danah Mall
- Al Othaim Mall
- Al Shatea Mall
- Al Waha Mall
- CarrefourCarrefourCarrefour S.A. is an international hypermarket chain headquartered in Levallois-Perret, France. It is one of the largest hypermarket chains in the world...
(Hypermarket) - Centre Point
- City Max
- Debbenhams
- eXtra (Electronics Store)
- Farm Superstores
- Giant Stores
- Green Shopping Centre
- Hayat Plaza
- Home Shopping
- IKEA
- Jarir Bookstore
- Ladies Mall
- Last Chance
- Lulu Hypermarket
- Marina Mall
- Marks & Spencer
- Nesto (Hypermarket)
- Obeikan Bookstore
- Panda and HyperPanda
- PC Net
- Ramez Shopping Centre
- Sheera Mall
- Tamimi Markets (Safeway)Safeway Inc.Safeway Inc. , a Fortune 500 company, is North America's second largest supermarket chain after The Kroger Co., with, as of December 2010, 1,694 stores located throughout the western and central United States and western Canada. It also operates some stores in the Mid-Atlantic region of the Eastern...
- The Baby Shop
- Ibn Khaldoun Plaza
Many other malls, complexes and hypermarkets are under construction in the city.
Markets
There are many traditional markets called Souq as well as modern markets in Damamam including :- Dammam Auction Market
- Al Souq (Dammam Market)
- Souq El-Hob (Arabic: سوق الحب – حي الدواسر)
- Souq Mecca (Arabic: سوق مكة الشعبي – حي السوق)
- Souq El Harraj (Similar to Sunday's Markets in the West) (Arabic: سوق الحراج)
- Souq El Dammam (Arabic: سوق الدمام )
Restaurants and Fast Food chains
- Abu Nawas
- Akbar Al Bukhari Restaurant
- Al Bahar Restaurant
- Al Bokhari Restaurant
- Al Diwan (Arabic), Khazzan St.
- Al Khayam Restaurant (Indian), 10thStreet Al Adama
- Al Manarah (Arabic/Turkish), King Saud St
- Al Sheikh (Arabic), located at Al Arifi Hotel
- Al Shahrour Restaurant
- Al Tazaj Fakieyah
- Applebee'sApplebee'sApplebee’s International, Inc., is an American company which develops, franchises, and operates the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurant chain. As of September 2011, there were 2,010 restaurants operating system-wide in the United States, one U.S. territory and 14 other countries...
- Asahi Pan Asian (Chinese/Japanese)
- Asia Hotel
- Baba Habbas
- Basmah
- BR BR
- Burger KingBurger KingBurger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
- Cairo (Egyptian), Hospital St
- Catcoot
- Chicken Tikka
- China Garden (Chinese)
- CoCo Restaurant, Ibn Khaldoon st.
- Copper Chandni (Indian)
- Corniche Restaurant
- Crispy Meal
- Dammam Palace Hotel
- Da Vinci, (Italian), located at Sheraton Dammam Hotel & Towers
- Domino's PizzaDomino's PizzaDomino's Pizza, Inc. is an international pizza delivery corporation headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America. Founded in 1960, Domino's is the second-largest pizza chain in the United States and has over 9,000 corporate and franchised stores in 60 countries and all 50 U.S....
- Fayrouz (International), located at Sheraton Dammam Hotel & Towers
- Fillfillah
- Fresh Broasted
- Friends Restaurant (Indian)
- Garnish Restaurant
- Ghazi Restaurant (Pakistani)
- Grill Room, located at the Golden Tulip Al Hamra Hotel
- Hardee'sHardee'sHardee's is a restaurant chain, located mostly in the Southeast and Midwestern regions of the United States. It has evolved through several corporate ownerships since its establishment in 1960. It is currently owned and operated by CKE Restaurants. Along with its sibling restaurant chain, Carl's...
- HerfyHerfyHerfy is a large fast food restaurant chain in Saudi Arabia and one of the largest in the Middle East, surpassing major international corporations in terms of local size. It has a total of more than 100 restaurants and 2,000 employees throughout Saudi Arabia. It also has many subsidiaries including...
- Hungry Bunny
- Horizon indian @ chinese
- IKEA Restaurant, located at IKEA
- JollibeeJollibeeJollibee Foods Corporation is the parent company of Jollibee, a fast-food restaurant chain based in the Philippines. Among JFC's popular brands are Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Caffe Ti-amo, Mang Inasal and Burger King...
(Filipino) - Kabana (Pakistani)
- Kababish Restaurant (Pakistani)
- Kerala (Indian), Prince Mohamed St.
- KFCKFCKFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States. KFC has been a brand and operating segment, termed a concept of Yum! Brands since 1997 when that company was spun off from PepsiCo as Tricon Global...
- Kudu
- Lulu Restaurant
- Lyalina Restaurant
- Lefana Restaurant
- Madina & MAS Group Restaurants
- Madura Restaurant( Tamil Nadu), Dawaser
- Mamma Mia (Italian), Nasser Road
- Mandi Quick Meal, King Saud St.
- Meswar
- New Thanjai Restaurant
- McDonalds
- Oceana (Indian)
- Paragon (Indian)
- Peking Noodles
- Popeyes
- The Pizza Company
- Pizza HutPizza HutPizza Hut is an American restaurant chain and international franchise that offers different styles of pizza along with side dishes including pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread....
- Pizza InnPizza InnPizza Inn is a restaurant chain and international food franchise, specializing in American-style pizza. The company is based in the Dallas suburb of The Colony, Texas....
- Quick Meal Restaurant
- Shawaya Restaurant (AL Khobar)
Cafés, Pastries and Parlours
- Al Kholoud Automatic Bakery
- Barnie's
- Baskin Robbins
- Caffe Vienna, located at Sheraton Dammam Hotel & Towers
- CinnabonCinnabonCinnabon is a chain of American baked goods stores and kiosks, normally found in high-traffic areas such as malls. The company's signature item is a grande cinnamon roll. As of July 2009, over 750 Cinnabon bakeries are in operation in over 30 countries around the world...
- CinnzeoCinnzeoCinnzeo is a chain of cafes based out of Calgary, Alberta that specialize in serving "The Best Tasting Cinnamon Rolls on Earth". The cinnamon rolls are prepared on site from scratch, with no preservatives or additives. Also served are a full line of specialty coffees and other beverages. CinnZeo...
- Cone Zone
- Costa CoffeeCosta CoffeeCosta Coffee is a British coffeehouse company founded in 1971 by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa, as a wholesale operation supplying roasted coffee to caterers and specialist Italian coffee shops. Since 1995 it has been a subsidiary of Whitbread, since when the company has grown to over...
- Dunkin' DonutsDunkin' DonutsDunkin' Donuts is an international doughnut and coffee retailer founded in 1950 by William Rosenberg in Quincy, Massachusetts; it is now headquartered in Canton...
- Durbai
- House of Donuts
- Hill of Pomogranate
- Joffrey's
- Kingdom Dates
- Kingdom of Pastries
- Krispy KremeKrispy KremeKrispy Kreme is the name of an international chain of doughnut stores that was founded by Vernon Rudolph in 1937 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The parent company of Krispy Kreme is Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc...
- Lobby Lounge, located at Sheraton Dammam Hotel & Towers
- Minimelts
- Road Café
- Roxy
- Saadeddin
- StarbucksStarbucksStarbucks Corporation is an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 17,009 stores in 55 countries, including over 11,000 in the United States, over 1,000 in Canada, over 700 in the United Kingdom, and...
Museums and Exhibitions
- Dammam Historical Museum (Arabic: متحف الدمام الإقليمي )
- Dammam Public Libarry
- Dhahran Exhibition Centre (Arabic: مركز معارض الظهران)
- Folk Village
TV and Radio
In Dammam, the building of the television and radio station are each registration programs and meetings in the eastern region and in the sky Mainzawi information and send it to the main station in Riyadh for broadcast on Channel One.Newspapers
Dammam published in the newspaper, a single official (today) that comes Bobaralamntqp and also publishes a weekly newspaper ad great free each Thursday morning in the newspaper (classified) and on Friday mornings (way), where the two newspapers and doesn't matter what is required, either from the consumer to buy or sell real estate or Tools Kahrbaiihp Phones as well as the Declaration of jobs and various other ads.Also be found in the city offices of several newspapers in Saudi Arabia and some other publications such as Al-Riyadh newspaper, Okaz, home, life, sun, her journal, Layalina.
Education
Dammam has a large number of schools, universities and colleges. Schools teaching various syllabus and in several different languages of instruction can be found.Schools
- Pakistan International school,Alkhobar
- Bangladesh International School, DammamBangladesh International School, DammamThe Bangladesh International School Dammam is located in Dammam, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. The school has two sections:* The school section - Grade KG to Grade X* The college section - Grade XI to Grade XII-History:...
- International Indian School, DammamInternational Indian School, DammamThe International Indian School, Dammam , formerly Indian Embassy School Dammam , was founded on 13 October 1982. The school is a non-profit institution operated exclusively to provide quality education to Indian children up to senior secondary level.IISD, was established on 10 Oct 1982 with 250...
- Orbit Academy
- Dammam International School
- Dunes International School
- Al Khozama international school
- Manarat Al-Sharkia International School, Al-Khobar
Universities and Colleges
- University of DammamUniversity of DammamUniversity of Dammam is a university in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.Dr. Abdullah Al-Rubaish is its President. It was a previously a part of King Faisal University ....
(Branch of King Faisal University previously). - Arab Open University.
- Technical College for students.
- Community College (King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals).
- Tomorrow International College for Health Sciences.
- Academy of ports for maritime studies and technical assistance.
- Academy of Health Sciences.
- Academic education.
- Scientific Institute (University of Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud).
- Health Institute.
- Technical Institute, the Saudi Petroleum Services.
- Institute of Beauty Specialist, Science and Technology (girls).
- Higher Institute of Engineering and Petroleum.
- Training Institute, the main electricity company in Saudi Arabia.
- Services Institute of Petroleum and natural gas.
- Institute of Public Administration (a branch of the eastern region).
- Technical Institute of Naval Studies (RSNF-TINS).
- Amal Institute for Deaf Girls.
- Vocational training institute.
- Institute of Education property.
- Industrial Secondary Institute.
- Al-Ghad International Medical Science Colleges.
- King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.
- prince mohammad bin fahd university
Hospitals and Medical Care
- Al Ahmadi Medical Dispensary
- Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital (famous for dealing with drug abuse and addiction)
- Al Dukair Clinic
- Al Mana Hospital
- Al Mouwasat Hospital
- Al Rai Medical Dispensary
- Al Rawdah
- Astoon Hospital
- Badr Al Rabie
- Chest Hospital
- Dammam Central Hospital
- Dammam National Hospital
- General Security Hospital
- Imam Abdulrahman Al Faisal Hospital
- King Fahad Specialist Hospital
- Maternity & Children Hospital
- Magrabi Eye and Ear
- Najd & Hijaz
- Internal Security Forces Hospital.
- Tadawi Hospital
- Tower Dammam Medical Center
- Hospital kindergarten year.
- Dammam Hospital Alt_khasisi World
- Dipsomania Center of Ophthalmology.
- Center Al Saif of Ophthalmology.
- Moroccan Center of Ophthalmology and the ear.
Streets
- Al Mustashfa Street
- King Abdul-Aziz Street: the coastline of the city of Dammam, where it passes on the Corniche III Corniche and the old and
the waterfront of old and new waterfront.
- King Abdullah Street
- King Fahd Street: a REDCAP Total Car Care Center flies Saudi Arabia's tallest flag: a 9 m × 6 m flag atop a 60+ m mast.
- King Khaled Street
- King Saud Street
- Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Street: dividing the city into two halves (north-east, south-west) and start from the north-eastern city of Dammam (Corniche) and Corniche is divided into two sections (the eastern shore district, district of the west coast) and ends in the city of Dhahran, with Traffic southwest of Dammam.
- By Ibn Khaldun King Fahd: up to the city of Dammam, Khobar and the airport, and Riyadh.
- Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz Street: This route starts from the north of Dammam, and ends at South Street through Dammam King Abdul Aziz, Saud, Khalid, Fahd.
- Reservoir Street: Street-Yamani was called at the time of King Abdul Aziz and the street name was changed in the era of King Saud, and the street is the oldest streets of the tank and called Dammam Street reservoir to a reservoir adjacent to the old, and now called the 18th Street.
See also
- DhahranDhahranDhahran is a city located in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, and is a major administrative center for the Saudi oil industry. Large oil reserves were first identified in the Dhahran area in 1931, and in 1935 Standard Oil of California drilled the first commercially viable oil well...
- Eastern Province
- KhobarKhobarKhobar is a large city located in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the Persian Gulf. It has a population of 360,000 and forms part of the greater Dammam metropolitan area along with Dhahran, which together have a combined population of over two million...
- King Fahd CausewayKing Fahd CausewayThe King Fahd Causeway is a causeway connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The idea of constructing the causeway was based on improving the links and bonds between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain...
- King Fahd International AirportKing Fahd International AirportKing Fahd International Airport is located 20 kilometers northwest of Dammam, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest airport in the world in terms of land area . The airport's basic infrastructure was complete by the end of 1990, which allowed the Allied forces engaged in the first Gulf War in early...
- List of deep water ports
- Saudi Ports AuthoritySaudi Ports AuthoritySaudi Ports Authority is a government agency that supervises the ports of Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 1976 as an independent agency of the Prime Minister's office, to bring together the governance and operations of the multiple ports of the country to one office...
Further reading
- Dammam Capital city in Eastern Province, (1998). (ISBN 0-300-05536-6)
- Dammam King Fahd International AirportKing Fahd International AirportKing Fahd International Airport is located 20 kilometers northwest of Dammam, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest airport in the world in terms of land area . The airport's basic infrastructure was complete by the end of 1990, which allowed the Allied forces engaged in the first Gulf War in early...
(1999). (ISBN 0812931076)
External links
- Municipality of Dammam Official website (in Arabic)
- King Fahd International Airport Flight Informations to and from Dammam Airport
- A travel through the Eastern Province, Splendid Arabia: A travel site with photos and routes