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Al-Wajh (Arabic: الوجه) is a coastal governorate and city in northwestern Saudi Arabia, located on the Red Sea in Tabuk Province.
Al-Wajh | |
|---|---|
 Beach promenade in Al-Wajh | |
 Location of Al-Wajh within Tabuk Province | |
  Al-Wajh Location of Al-Wajh within Saudi Arabia | |
| Coordinates: 26°17′0″N 36°25′0″E / 26.28333°N 36.41667°E | |
| Country |  Saudi Arabia |
| Province | Tabuk Province |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Body | Al-Wajh Municipality |
| Population (2022) | |
• Total | 49,948 |
| Time zone | UTC+03:00 (SAST) |
| Area code | 014 |
History
editAl-Wajh played a pivotal role during the Arab Revolt in World War I. In 1917, the city was taken by the forces of Faisal I, and it was subsequently used as a strategic base for launching a series of coordinated attacks on the Hejaz railway.[1] (See HMS Anne for the British side of that operation.)
Historically, the city has been known by several other names, including Al-Hijr Port, Hegra, Al-Yaqoubi, and Al-Udhri.[2]
Population
editAs of 2013, the population was estimated at approximately 50,000. By 2022, it had slightly decreased to 49,948.
Economy
editFishing is a primary economic activity in the city, with the port serving as the central hub for related operations. Around 50 years ago, the Port of Al-Wajh was considered one of the main shipping centers in the region.
Transportation
editAir
editThe city is served by the Al-Wajh Domestic Airport, a small Airport located on its outskirts. It offers flights to several major destinations within Saudi Arabia, including Jeddah, Riyadh, and Medina.
In Art and Literature
editAl-Wajh is the subject of a painting by Clarkson Frederick Stanfield, an engraving of which was published in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1832 as 
El Wuish, Red Sea. along with a poetical illustration by Letitia Elizabeth Landon that reflects on the slowness of navigation amongst the numerous coral reefs in the area.[3]
Climate
edit| Climate data for Al Wajh Domestic Airport (1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 34.2 (93.6) |
36.0 (96.8) |
38.4 (101.1) |
41.8 (107.2) |
48.0 (118.4) |
46.0 (114.8) |
46.0 (114.8) |
45.5 (113.9) |
45.2 (113.4) |
43.0 (109.4) |
40.0 (104.0) |
37.0 (98.6) |
48.0 (118.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 24.7 (76.5) |
25.5 (77.9) |
27.4 (81.3) |
29.8 (85.6) |
32.3 (90.1) |
33.4 (92.1) |
34.5 (94.1) |
34.7 (94.5) |
33.7 (92.7) |
32.6 (90.7) |
30.1 (86.2) |
26.7 (80.1) |
30.5 (86.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 19.4 (66.9) |
20.2 (68.4) |
22.2 (72.0) |
24.9 (76.8) |
27.6 (81.7) |
29.0 (84.2) |
30.3 (86.5) |
30.6 (87.1) |
29.3 (84.7) |
27.8 (82.0) |
24.6 (76.3) |
21.2 (70.2) |
25.6 (78.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 13.9 (57.0) |
14.7 (58.5) |
16.8 (62.2) |
19.7 (67.5) |
22.8 (73.0) |
24.1 (75.4) |
25.6 (78.1) |
26.2 (79.2) |
24.7 (76.5) |
22.8 (73.0) |
19.2 (66.6) |
15.9 (60.6) |
20.5 (68.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 5.1 (41.2) |
6.1 (43.0) |
9.5 (49.1) |
12.0 (53.6) |
16.4 (61.5) |
19.2 (66.6) |
21.4 (70.5) |
22.0 (71.6) |
19.0 (66.2) |
15.5 (59.9) |
12.4 (54.3) |
9.2 (48.6) |
5.1 (41.2) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 11.0 (0.43) |
3.8 (0.15) |
1.4 (0.06) |
0.5 (0.02) |
0.5 (0.02) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.00) |
0.9 (0.04) |
10.1 (0.40) |
8.2 (0.32) |
36.4 (1.43) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 4.1 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 57 | 58 | 58 | 60 | 67 | 73 | 74 | 74 | 75 | 67 | 59 | 57 | 65 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 260 | 249 | 288 | 294 | 313 | 345 | 357 | 347 | 294 | 295 | 258 | 239 | 3,539 |
| Mean daily sunshine hours | 8.4 | 8.8 | 9.3 | 9.8 | 10.1 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.2 | 9.8 | 9.5 | 8.6 | 7.7 | 9.7 |
| Source 1: NOAA[4] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity 1970–1979, sun 1986-1990)[5] | |||||||||||||
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Lawrence, T.E. (1935). Seven Pillars of Wisdom. Garden City: Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc. pp. 144, 161–164.
- ^ "'Rawashin' of Al-Wajh: A window on Saudi history, architecture". Arab News. 2019-09-14. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ Landon, Letitia Elizabeth (1831). "poetical illustration". Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1832. Fisher, Son & Co.Landon, Letitia Elizabeth (1831). "picture". Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1832. Fisher, Son & Co.
- ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Wejh". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "Klimatafel von Wejh (all-Wajh / El Wedsch) / Saudi-Arabien" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 13 May 2025.