Jubail (Arabic: "الجبيل" Al Jubayl), is a city in the Eastern province on the Persian Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia. Its full name is Madīnat al Jubayl aş Şinā`īyah (Jubail Industrial City). It has a population of 222,544 (2004 census), up 58% from the 1992 figure of 140,828.
In 1975, along with Yanbu' al Bahr, it was designated as a new industrial city by the Saudi government, and has seen rapid expansion and industrialisation since.
The industrial city is a complex of petrochemical plants, an iron works and a number of smaller companies, plus a Royal Saudi Naval Base.
History
The town of Al-Jubail on the Persian Gulf Coast of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has ancient roots. As long as 7,000 years ago, the people of Dilmun, whose civilization radiated up and down the Gulf, had established a settlement there.
The first arrivals might have been encouraged to stay by the site’s fine natural harbor and the abundance of fish and pearl oysters just offshore. More importantly, the presence of potable water wells near the town ensured the continued viability of human settlement.
In September 1933, Jubail gained a measure of fame as the landing site for the first team of geologists to explore for oil in Saudi Arabia.
In 1983, Jubail staked an even greater claim to fame. Jubail industrial city project was cited in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest engineering and construction project ever attempted.
Today, the former stretch of sand dunes and salt flats north of old Jubail is called Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia’s biggest industrial center, host to more than 160 industrial enterprises and home to almost 70,000 full-time residents.
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