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The Glossary
Dhahran Travel Guide
Lying just south of Dammam close to the Arabian Gulf is Dhahran, Saudi Arabia's oil capital. In terms of size, Dhahran is just a tiny town with a relatively small population, but in terms of oil reserve, it has the largest in Arabia. The city, however, is not only famous for its oil but also for its several private beaches frequented not only by vacationers and regular beachgoers but also by BMX bikers with a penchant for dirt road tracking.
The charm of isolation
A sense of isolation from the outside world may be felt once visitors get into the pseudo-military compound of Dhahran, which is fenced and cannot be easily accessed as the government has declared it a restricted area. Interestingly, the compound has its own recreational amenities including pools, tennis courts, a golf course, arcade, weight rooms, and even a movie theater.
Intellectual hub
Aside from the secluded compound, there are also some developments in the suburbs where apartment complexes and company houses are being built to answer the needs of the people especially the Arab employees. Dhahran is also the home of the King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals, regarded as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology of Arabia.
Village life
In the north lies the verdant oasis of Al Qatif, a haven of several native towns and villages and a convenient base for visitors want to get away from the hum of the town center.
Shopping galore
Since all businesses in the city close five times a day for prayer, it is best to wake up early if one is planning to rummage many of Dhahran's bazaars where the gold (real 24-karat and higher), fabrics, spices and handicrafts on sale come all the way from Pakistan, Europe, India and the Far East.
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