Khobar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coordinates: 20°00′N 41°27′E / 20°N 41.45°E
| City of Khobar | |||
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| Coordinates: 20°00′N 41°27′E / 20°N 41.45°E | |||
| Country |  Saudi Arabia |
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| Province | Khobar | ||
| Established | 1940s | ||
| Joined Saudi Arabia 1940s | |||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Issam Al-Mulla | ||
| - Provincial Governor | Muhammed Bin Fahd | ||
| Population (2005) | |||
| - Total | 170,000 | ||
| Dammam Municipality estimate | |||
| Postal Code | (5 digits) | ||
| Area code(s) | +966-3 | ||
| Website | [1] | ||
Khobar (also written al-Khobar or al-Khubar; Arabic: الخبر) is a large city located in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the Persian Gulf. It has a population of 165,799 (2004 census) and forms part of the greater Dammam metropolitan area along with Dhahran, which together have a combined population of over one million. All three urban centers are served by the King Fahd International Airport.
Many of Khobar's residents work for Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil company, in Al-Khobar. Traditionally, Khobar has also been a city of shopkeepers and merchants, and the city today boasts numerous modern malls and boulevards with internationally-recognized franchise shops and eating places. Together, Khobar, Dhahran and Dammam are often known as "the triplet cities".
In earlier days, Khobar was a small port on the Persian Gulf, a fishing village inhabited mainly by Al Dawasir tribe members. With the discovery of oil in the 1930s, it was transformed into a major commercial and shopping center and, secondarily, an industrial port. In modern times, the larger port of Dammam has taken over most commercial shipping activities for the Eastern Province, and oil is exported via the dedicated Saudi Aramco port of Ras Tanura. As a result, Khobar has transformed and extended its waterfront along the Persian Gulf into a scenic Beirut-like corniche with parks, eateries, and family beaches.
The 16 mile (26 km) King Fahd Causeway connects Khobar to the island nation of Bahrain, previously reachable only by air or sea.
The city is divided into four areas: Khobar, Subekha, Thuqba and Aqrabia. While Khobar, Subekha and Thuqba are mainly commercial areas with not much residential scope, Aqrabia consists of mostly residential complexes, accommodating about 50% of the city's population.
The city used to have a model of the space shuttle Discovery to commemorate the space flight of Sultan Salman Al Saud, the first Saudi in space (on STS-51-G).
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[edit] Education
First boys school in Khobar was established in 1942 , later on the first girl school was established in 1961. Today there are more than 50 public and private general eduation schools in the city of Khobar.
[edit] Shopping Malls
- Al-Rashid Mall : one of the biggest shopping malls in the region that was founded in 1994 and had further extension recently
- Dhahran Mall
- Jarer Mall
- Fouad Center
- Giant Stores
- Juma'ah Center
[edit] Hotels
There are many hotels and apartments for rent in the city .
- The Movenpick
- Khobar Meridian hotel
- Holiday Inn
- Al-Qusaibi Hotel
[edit] Resorts
- Half Moon Beach
- Sunset Beach
- Holiday Inn Resort
- Bafana Beach
- Al Nakhil Resort
[edit] Restaurants and Fastfood chains
Khobar is known for its diverse and exotic restaurants.
- Chili's
- Pizza Hut
- Steak House
- Applebee's
- Hardee's
- McDonalds
- Burgder King
- The Orient
- Sanbuke
- Kodu
- KFC
[edit] Hospitals and Medical Care
There are three major hospitals in Khobar , King Fahad University Hospital , Khobar General Hospital and Saad Specialists Private Hospital.
[edit] See also
- Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
- Dammam
- Dhahran
- Dawasir
- Khobar Towers bombing
- King Fahd Causeway
- Al Rashid Mall
[edit] References
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