Farasan Islands

The Saudi Arabian Farasan Islands (Arabic جزر فرسان Juzur Farasān; Juzur Farasān English spelling ) are in the Red Sea, about 40 km from the provincial capital of Jizan, that is 40 km from the coast of the Saudi Arabian peninsula. They thus represent the extreme south-west of Saudi Arabia represents the largest island of the archipelago called Farasan Island; other islands are the Sajid Island and the Zufaf Island.

Geology and wildlife

The Farasan Islands are platform reefs are typically made of limestone. The archipelago emerged after the end of the last ice age in the wake of rising sea levels. The islands are a protected area and serve as wintering grounds for migratory birds from Europe. They were the home of the extinct Arabian gazelle.

History

1900-1902 operated the German Navy a coal station to supply their ships to this island group. At the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, Italy had laid claim to the disputed islands between Asir and Yemen, but Britain handed them over to the Idrisids of Asir, 1934, she fell in with the Asir Saudi Arabia.

Economy

1919 discovered the French oil on the islands. For 75 years operated the Red Sea Oilfields Company refinery on them. Since 1920, the islands are base of a small fishing industry.