Farasan Islands

Approximate location of Farasan Islands
Farasan Islands viewed from the International Space Station

The Farasan Islands (Arabic: جزر فرسان‎; transliterated: Juzur Farasān) are a large coral-island group in the Red Sea, belonging to Saudi Arabia. The islands are located some 40 km offshore from Jizan, in the far southwestern part of the country, at 16°48′N 41°54′E / 16.800°N 41.900°E / 16.800; 41.900Coordinates: 16°48′N 41°54′E / 16.800°N 41.900°E / 16.800; 41.900. The largest island of the archipelago is Farasan Island; others include Sajid Island and Zufaf Island.

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.[1]


Climate data for Farasan Island [2]
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

Nature

The "Farasan island marine sanctuary" is a protected area and were home to the extinct Arabian gazelle and, in winter, migratory birds from Europe.[3] Oceanic animals include manta rays,[4] whale sharks,[5] and several species of sea turtles including endangered and critically endangered green and hawksbill turtles, dugongs,[4] and several species of dolphins and whales with occasional visits by others such as orcas.[6][7][8][9]

Economy

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. [10]

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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://ffa.myspecies.info/node/8
  2. ↑ https://www.weather2travel.com/climate-guides/saudi-arabia/farasan-islands.php
  3. ↑ JAZAN PROVINCE – General Information
  4. 1 2 Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. 2006. Science Diary – 8 May 2006. Retrieved on April 14, 2017
  5. ↑ Farasan Islands
  6. ↑ Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. 2006. Science Diary – 7 May 2006. Retrieved on April 14, 2017
  7. ↑ 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
  8. ↑ Babbington J.. 2013. Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin – Offshore Farasan Islands. Birds of Saudi Arabia. Retrieved on April 14, 2017
  9. ↑ 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
  10. ↑ New inscriptions from Saudi Arabia and the extent of Roman rule along the Red Sea.2014.. Retrieved on May 6, 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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