Tabuk Province is a province in Saudi Arabia, located along the northwestern coast of the country on the Red Sea. It borders Jordan to the north and is part of the Hejaz region.
The history of Tabuk province dates back to 3,000 B.C.E. The province is identified with the land of Midian. The province is traversed by the Hejaz railway, which was built during the Ottoman Empire under the Sultan Abdul Hamid II and was a focus for attacks during the Arab Revolt of 1916âÂÂ1918. The province has traditionally been inhabited by the Huwaytat tribe.
In recent years, the province has received substantial media attention due to the Saudi government's planned Neom City project in the province.
Tabuk Province comprises six governorates, with Tabuk City serving as the seat of the province. The governorates are categorized into Category A and Category B based on the availability of services.
Tabuk is an active commercial center, serving pilgrims passing through towards Mecca. Due to its moderate climate, it's also the site of several dairy and poultry farms. The region (Astra) exports flowers to Europe, mainly lilies, statices and gladiolas. In the past, a narrow-gauge railway (1,050 mm / 3 ft 511âÂÂ32 in track gauge) ran from Damascus to Medina through Tabuk. Remains of the railway can be found in Tabuk, where a large station was built. The station has since been restored.
Tabuk has a range of educational institutions, including elementary, intermediate, and secondary schools operated by the Ministry of Education throughout the province. Higher education is available for both men and women through several institutions, including the University of Tabuk, Fahd bin Sultan University, and a branch of the Saudi Electronic University.
Technical and vocational education in the region is managed by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC). Colleges for male students include Umluj Technical College, Tabuk Technical College, Haql Technical College, Al-Wajh Technical College, and branches in Tayma and Duba. For female students, the Technical College for Girls in Tabuk offers vocational training.
Tabuk Province is served by several airports that provide domestic and international air links:
Tabuk Province shares two international land border crossings with Jordan, supporting both regional trade and religious tourism.
The Durra Border Crossing connects Haql in Tabuk Province to Aqaba in Jordan. Established in 1966 and upgraded in 1988, it facilitates pedestrian and vehicular movement and offers full immigration and visa services.
The Halat Ammar Border Crossing is located near the town of Halat Ammar, southwest of Tabuk city. It serves as a key point of entry for pilgrims traveling to Mecca for Hajj and Umrah. It is operated by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority. In recent years, it has been upgraded as part of Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance logistical infrastructure.
The province is governed by a governor (Emir) appointed by the King of Saudi Arabia, assisted by a deputy governor.