Farasan Islands

The Farasan Islands (Arabic: جزر فرسان‎; transliterated: Juzur Farasān) are a small group of coral islands approximately 40 km off the coast of Jizan in the Red Sea, belonging to Saudi Arabia.[1] 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.

Approximate location of Farasan Islands
Farasan Islands
Native name:
جزر فرسان
The Farasan Islands viewed from the ISS
Farasan Islands
Geography
Coordinates16.8°N 41.9°E / 16.8; 41.9
TypeCoral
Total islands176
Administration
ProvinceJazan Province
Largest cityFarasan
Additional information
Time zone
  • AST (UTC+3)
Postal code88XXX

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.[2] If this is correct, it would make the Farasan Islands the farthest Roman outpost, being nearly 4000 km from Rome itself.

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.[3]

Nature
See also: List of protected areas of Saudi Arabia

The Farasan Island Marine Sanctuary is a protected area, and is home to the Arabian gazelle, and, in winter, migratory birds from Europe.[4] Oceanic animals include manta rays,[5] whale sharks,[6] and several species of sea turtles including endangered and critically endangered green and hawksbill turtles, dugongs,[5] and several species of dolphins and whales with occasional visits by others such as orcas.[7][8][9][10]

Economy

After a French engineer investigated petroleum seeps on the islands in 1912, a 75-year concession was granted to the Red Sea oilfields.[11] At the time, the Farasan Islands supported a small fishing industry.[12]

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

Climate data for Farasan Islands
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 30
(86)		 31
(88)		 33
(91)		 35
(95)		 37
(99)		 39
(102)		 39
(102)		 39
(102)		 38
(100)		 36
(97)		 34
(93)		 31
(88)		 35
(95)
Daily mean °C (°F) 25.5
(77.9)		 26.5
(79.7)		 28
(82)		 30
(86)		 32
(90)		 34
(93)		 34.5
(94.1)		 34
(93)		 33
(91)		 30.5
(86.9)		 28.5
(83.3)		 26.5
(79.7)		 30.3
(86.4)
Average low °C (°F) 21
(70)		 22
(72)		 23
(73)		 25
(77)		 27
(81)		 29
(84)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 28
(82)		 25
(77)		 23
(73)		 22
(72)		 25
(78)
Source: https://www.weather2travel.com/climate-guides/saudi-arabia/farasan-islands.php

See also

References
  1. "Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia". www.plantdiversityofsaudiarabia.info. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
  2. New inscriptions from Saudi Arabia and the extent of Roman rule along the Red Sea.2014.. Retrieved on May 6, 2017
  3. http://ffa.myspecies.info/node/8
  4. JAZAN PROVINCE – General Information
  5. Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. 2006. Science Diary – 8 May 2006. Retrieved on April 14, 2017
  6. Farasan Islands
  7. Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. 2006. Science Diary – 7 May 2006. Retrieved on April 14, 2017
  8. Hoyt E.. 2012. Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises: A World Handbook for Cetacean Habitat Conservation and Planning. The Routledge. Retrieved on April 14, 2017
  9. Babbington J.. 2013. Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin – Offshore Farasan Islands. Birds of Saudi Arabia. Retrieved on April 14, 2017
  10. 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
  11. Prothero, G.W. (1920). Arabia. London: H.M. Stationery Office. p. 99.
  12. Prothero, G.W. (1920). Arabia. London: H.M. Stationery Office. p. 18.
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