Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

Tabuk (Arabic: تبوك‎ Tabūk), also spelled Tabouk, is the capital city of the Tabuk Region in northwestern Saudi Arabia. It has a population of 534,893 (2010 census).

Tabuk is close to the Jordanâ€"Saudi Arabia border. It houses the largest air force base in Saudi Arabia.

Geography and climate

Desertous continental weather with hot summers and mild winters. Temperatures in the summer are between 26 and 46 °C, while in winter they are between âˆ'4 and 18°C, with widespread frosts. Snowing is common, with temperatures reaching low âˆ'6 °C in some winters. Rainfall in Tabuk Area falls in the winter months from November to March, and precipitation ranges between 50 and 150 mm, with some not uncommon snow every 3â€"4 years.

The boundaries of Tabuk region extends from the Saudiâ€"Jordanian border in the north to the north of Medina Al Munawwarah, and from the Red Sea on the west to the Hufa depression in the east. It lies at the junction of Hejaz mountain range and the plains of the north in the basin of sedimentary area. There is plenty of underground water and the area is surrounded by hills and wadis, the important of which are Wadi Al-Akhdar (the green valley), Wadi Damm and Wadi Asafir. The town of Tabuk is an important gateway in northern Arabia on the active pilgrimage and caravan trade routes.

Tabuk is the capital of the region which includes several administrative districts such Al-Wajh, Duba, Tayma, Umluj and Haql Since antiquity Tabuk had trade and cultural contacts with the neighboring ancient civilizations of northern Arabia which had contacts with the neighboring ancient civilizations, such as Syria, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. It has been mentioned by several historians and geographers as a town located on the ancient trade route between Yemen and Syria.

History

Ptolemy mentioned a place by the name “Tabawa” at the northwestern corner of Arabia. This name may be a reference to “Tabuka” or Tabuk. If this is true, the town may be as old as Ptolemys time. Pre-Islamic Arab poets, such as Antra and Nabiqa, mentioned its mountain “Hasmi” in their poems.

Tabouk became famous after Islam reached it in 9 AH (630 AD) for its association with the battle fought during the period of Muhammad. Since then, it remained a gateway of North Arabia. It was visited by a number of western travelers such as Doughty in 1294 AH (1877 AD) and Huber in 1303 AH (1884 AD).

Tabuk region is rich in its antiquities and archaeological sites such as petroglyphs, inscriptions, forts, palaces, walls, Syrian-Egyptian pilgrimage route and the remains of Hejaz railway line the main station of which is located in Tabuk. The important archaeological sites in the region are as follows:

Archaeological Sites in the Area

Rock Art and Inscriptions Site in Wadi Dam

Hundreds of localities with Rock art and inscriptions dating to different chronological periods and ranging from Paleolithic to the Islamic period were recorded at Wadi Dam and the region west of Tabouk. Study of the art revealed rich stylistic variability and both human and animal figures were represented in it. Tens of sites in the area with Thamudic, Greek and Nabataean inscriptions have been found.

Tabuk Castle

It is also known as the castle of Ashab Al-Ayka, which is mentioned in the Holy Quran. The castle dates back to about 3500B.C and has been restored many times; the last was in 1062H (1652A.D). It was one of the several forts and stations built all along the Syrian pilgrimage route welcome the pilgrims. Several forts and stations were built all along the road from Jordan border to Al Madinah Al Munawarra to welcome the pilgrims. The fort consists of two floors. The first floor contains an open courtyard and a number of rooms, a mosque, a well and the stairway for leading to the watch towers used by the guards. The fort is considered as an archaeological landmark of the region and is open for the visitors.

Ain Sukkrah

This is an ancient spring dating to the pre-Islamic era. It is said that during the invasion of Tabuk Prophet Muhammad camped more than ten days near the spring and drank from its water.

The Prophet's Mosque

It is also known as Repentance Mosque. It was originally built with mud and roofed with palm trunk trees. It was restored in 1602 H (1652 A.D) and finally its complete renewal was ordered by the late King Faisal Ibn Abdul-Aziz along the pattern of the Prophets Mosque in Madinah.

Gulf War

Tabuk became centre of military activity during the Gulf War as the city faced threats from Iraqi scuds and air attacks. As a result the Pakistan Army deployed its 153 SP AirDefence Regiment for the protection of vital Saudi military assets in the city as well as to keep Iraqi airforce in check.

Education

Private schools include:

• British International School of Tabuk
• International Indian School Tabuk
• Pakistan International School of Tabuk

References

External links

• Tabouk - Saudi Arabia
• Tabuk City on Saudi Tourism Site