Jazan Region


Jazan Region also spelled Jizan is the second smallest region of Saudi Arabia. It stretches along the southern Red Sea coast, just north of Yemen. It covers an area of 11,671 km² and has a population of 1,567,547 at the 2017 census. The region has the highest population density in the Kingdom. The capital is the city of Jizan; Muhammad bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz is the Governor since April 2001.
The region includes over 100 islands in the Red Sea. Jizan Economic City is a mega project that is planned to boost the economy of the region and make it part of the Saudi economic growth. The Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia's first conservation protected area, is home to migratory birds from Europe in winter.

Geography

The region divides into three parts.
Though the climate on the highlands is similar to the relatively wetter climate of 'Asir, the coastal regions of Jazan province are part of Tihamah, probably the hottest place in the country, with mean maximum temperatures ranging from 40 °C in July to 31 °C in January. High humidity from coastal lagoons makes the climate even less bearable than it would be otherwise. Rainfall is extremely low at less than 75 millimetres per year.
Sabya is located in the center between the mountain and the beach.

Population

Sub-divisions

The region is sub-divided into 14 governorates as follows:
NameNative nameCensus
15 September 2004		Census Census
Abu Arishأبو عريش123,943196,462
Alddairالدائر49,23958,325
Alddarbالدرب52,06270,740
Ahad Almasarihahأحد المسارحة70,038109,866
Alaridahالعارضة62,84176,033
Alaydabiالعيدابي52,51561,043
Alharthالحرث47,07323,496
Alraithالريث13,40619,022
Baishبيش58,26977,406
Damadضمد62,36671,256
Farasanفرسان13,96218,015
Jizanجازان255,340163703
Sabyaصبياء198,086227,519
Samtahصامطة128,447201,959
Total Province1,187,5871,374,8451,567,547

Ethnography

The Arabic language is spoken by over 90% of the inhabitants. Parts of Jizan is claimed to be part of Yemen by many Yemenis. It was occupied by Saudi Arabia during the Saudi–Yemeni War and Imam Yahya suspended Yemen's claim to the region in the treaty of Taif. Though many Yemenis continued to claim Jizan until the issue was settled formally and finally in the Saudi-Yemeni border agreement of 2000.

Environmental projects

In 2019, the Saudi Government allocated $213 million to implement water and environmental projects in the region. Such projects include, installing a sewage treatment line, sewage network, sewage connections for households, and a station for pumping.