Yanbu - Geography

Geography

The city is divided into three villages, about 15 minutes drive by car away from each other.

The Downtown (often called Al-Balad) is the actual city and has most of the population. Most of the people dwelling here are lower-class and less educated Saudi Arabians, as well as lower-class Asians, lower-class Arabs, Turks, and some Eastern Europeans. Most of the restaurants here are lower class and cater to the various ethnic groups in the area. The area does contain a few international chain restaurants, as well as some coffee shops. Parts of the city, particularly on the edge of the city, are starting to modernize, as new shopping centers as well a new shopping mall are being built. The area as a whole, however, has a rather old, worn out feel to it. Currently, the government is attempting to improve the old and historical part in Yanbu down town, as many old and historical buildings are located there. Many, unfortunately, are in a serious state of disrepair, and have a run-down, falling apart quality.

Al-Nakheel (The Palms) is the older part of the city, where mostly farms would be found. Any residents here would be exclusively Saudi Arabian.

Yanbu Al-Sina'iya (literally "the industrial Yanbu"), is the industrial city, established around 1975 with a very modern housing architecture. It houses all the major refineries and petrochemical installations and is still experiencing major growth. The industrial city has a section called the Royal Commission. Its residents are made up mostly of Europeans, Americans, and other Westerners, upper-class Saudi Arabians, upper income non-Saudi Arabs, and upper income Asians. Although the Royal Commission is mostly residential, there are many international chain restaurants, as well as a shopping mall, supermarkets of various sizes, hospitals, banks, and coffee shops. The Movenpick Hotel, Yanbu's newest and most luxurious hotel, is located here, as is The Cove, a gated residential housing compound built around a large private lagoon. It has a more modern, clean, and more organized feel to it than the Downtown area. It is also greener.