Farasan Islands Explained

See also: List of World Heritage sites in Saudi Arabia.

Farasan Islands
Country Largest City:Farasan
Postal Code:88XXX
Utc Offset:+3
Timezone:AST
Country Admin Divisions Title 1:Governorate
Island Type:Coral
Country Largest City Type:city
Country Admin Divisions:Jazan Province
Country Admin Divisions Title:Province
Country: Saudi Arabia
Pushpin Map:Saudi Arabia
Pushpin Label Position:top
Pushpin Relief:1
Image Caption:Al-Rifai House built in traditional Farasani architecture
Native Name Lang:ar
Total Islands:176
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population:13,529
Population As Of:2022

The Farasan Islands (Arabic: جزر فرسان; transliterated:) are a small group of coral islands approximately 40 km off the coast of Jizan in the Red Sea, belonging to Saudi Arabia.[2]

The government provides free ferry rides twice a day to Farasan Islands from Jizan Port. The largest island of the archipelago is Farasan Island; others include Sajid Island and Zufaf Island. The islands are a popular tourist destination. In recent years the Saudi government has tried to increase the tourism quality and worth (as part of a larger tourism drive in the country) of the Islands in order to attract even more visitors.[3]

History

In the 1st century AD, the islands were known as Portus Ferresanus. A Latin inscription dating from 144 AD has been found on the island which attests to the construction of a Roman garrison. It is believed that the islands may have been attached to the province of Arabia Felix, before being transferred to Aegyptus some time before 144 AD.[4] If this is correct, it would make the Farasan Islands the farthest Roman outpost, being nearly 4000km (2,000miles) from Rome itself. It remained this way up until the Arab Muslim conquest of the islands and subsequent Islamization.

Climate

The climate in the Farasan archipelago is characterised by a long hot season (April–October) and a short mild one (November–March). In the long dry period, high temperatures are usually dominant. The mean annual temperature is 30 °C. Furthermore, the mean relative humidity in winter ranges from 70% to 80% and in summer between 65% and 78%. The highest rainfall occurs in April and the precipitation is generally unpredictable in the southern part of Red Sea.[5]

Nature

See also: List of protected areas of Saudi Arabia. The Farasan Island Marine Sanctuary is a protected area. It is home to the Arabian gazelle, and, in winter, migratory birds from Europe.[6] Oceanic animals include manta rays, whale sharks,[7] and several species of sea turtles including endangered and critically endangered green and hawksbill turtles, dugongs,[8] and several species of dolphins and whales with occasional visits by others such as orcas.[9] [10] [11] [12]

Economy

After a French engineer investigated petroleum seeps on the islands in 1912, a 75-year concession was granted to the Red Sea oilfields.[13] At the time, the Farasan Islands supported a small fishing industry.[14]

Tourism and fishing also play a role in the economy. Farasan Island is connected to Jezan port by ferry.

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: بوابة الهيئة - الصفحة الرئيسية. ar. portal.saudicensus.sa.
  2. Web site: Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia. 2020-08-10. www.plantdiversityofsaudiarabia.info.
  3. Web site: A Trip to Farasan Islands.
  4. Web site: New inscriptions from Saudi Arabia and the extent of Roman rule along the Red Sea . March 31, 2017 . Tabulae Geographicae . May 6, 2017.
  5. Web site: The climate and the Farasan Archipelago topography | E-Flora of the Farasan archipelago.
  6. Web site: JAZAN PROVINCE – General Information . 2017-04-13 . 2017-08-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170820202703/http://colleges.jazanu.edu.sa/com/Pages/AboutJazan.aspx . dead .
  7. Web site: Farasan Islands . 2017-04-13 . 2017-04-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170414082713/http://www.arriyadh.com/Eng/Tourism/Left/KSAAttract/Jizan/Farasan-Islands.doc_cvt.htm . dead .
  8. Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. 2006. Science Diary – 8 May 2006. Retrieved on April 14, 2017
  9. Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. 2006. Science Diary – 7 May 2006. Retrieved on April 14, 2017
  10. [Erich Hoyt|Hoyt E.]
  11. Babbington J.. 2013. Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin – Offshore Farasan Islands. Birds of Saudi Arabia. Retrieved on April 14, 2017
  12. علي رويني 2.654.258. 2017. ظهور الحوت القاتل في جزيرة فرسان - جزيرة سلوبه يعرف عنه اصطياد فرائسه من الشاطىء المقطع الاول. YouTube. Retrieved on April 14, 2017
  13. Book: Prothero, G.W.. Arabia. 1920. H.M. Stationery Office. London. 99.
  14. Book: Prothero, G.W.. Arabia. 1920. H.M. Stationery Office. London. 18.