The plan
King Abdullah Economic City was established in 2005, in the reign of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, on the Red Sea coast north of Jeddah, in Rabigh Governorate. It covers about 181 million m² and is described as the Kingdom's first newly established economic city to be developed entirely by the private sector.
Its Industrial Valley spans 55 million m², and King Abdullah Port sits on the main shipping route between Asia and Europe. About SAR 52 billion has been invested since launch, mostly in infrastructure and transport, including the port and the Haramain station.
Living there
Six residential neighbourhoods include al-Murooj and Bay La Sun, which has its own marina and yacht club. A station on the Haramain High Speed Railway connects the city with Makkah and Madinah, and the 18-hole Royal Greens Golf Course hosts the Saudi International tournament.
An educational zone holds the Prince Mohammad bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship and the National Aviation Academy, which trains 350 pilots and 1,000 technicians a year.