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AsiaSaudi ArabiaEastern Province

Dhahran

Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia · Asia

About Dhahran

Dhahran sits on the route: 20 minutes from Khobar, 49km from Bahrain International Circuit.

Dhahran is a town located in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. With a population of 99,540, it is an important destination in Asia.

On a road trip, Dhahran sits in Saudi Arabia, where you drive on the right. It's in the Asia/Riyadh time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Dhahran to your route.

About Dhahran

Dhahran (Arabic: الظهران, romanized: aẓ-Ẓahrān, pronounced [ɐðˤ.ðˤɐhˈrɑːn]) is a city located in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. With a total population of 143,936 as of 2022, it is a major administrative center for the Saudi oil industry. Together with the nearby cities of Dammam and Khobar, Dhahran forms part of

Read more the Dammam Metropolitan Area, which is commonly known as greater Dammam and has an estimated population of 2.2 million as of 2022. A Concession Agreement to search for oil was signed in Jeddah on 29 May 1933, between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Standard Oil of California. However, it was not until five years later, in 1938, that the first oil in commercial quantities was produced. Standard Oil later established a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia called the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO), now owned by the Saudi government and known as Saudi Aramco. Dhahran has been the home of Saudi Aramco's headquarters for 90 years and is its first and largest gated compound. Employees and dependents of Aramco, known as Aramcons, have a tendency to use Dhahran to solely refer to the Aramco Camp while using Khobar and/or Dammam to refer to the area outside the camp. Dhahran is unusual in that a large portion of it is made up of gated areas including Saudi Aramco's headquarters and residential camp, the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (built by Aramco) and the King Abdulaziz Air Base. Dhahran is also home to the Mall of Dhahran, one of the biggest shopping complexes in the Eastern Province.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Dhahran

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Dhahran?

Dhahran offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Dhahran?

Plan your road trip to Dhahran with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Dhahran as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Dhahran located?

Dhahran is located in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, Asia. The coordinates are 26.2886 latitude, 50.1140 longitude.

What is the population of Dhahran?

Dhahran has a population of approximately 99,540 people, making it a town in Saudi Arabia.

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Quick Information

Population
99,540
Continent
Asia
Country
Saudi Arabia
Region
Eastern Province
Timezone
Asia/Riyadh
Coordinates
26.2886, 50.1140

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Saudi Arabia

Police
999
Ambulance
997
Fire
998
All emergencies
911
Driving side
right
Full driving guide for Saudi Arabia

Tags

AsiaSaudi ArabiaEastern ProvinceTown

Worth the detour from Dhahran

1 notable place within an hour's drive.

racetrack

Bahrain International Circuit

The Middle East's first Formula 1 venue, a floodlit desert circuit at Sakhir that races at night; karting, drag racing, and track experiences run through the cooler months.

49 km · about 55 min drive

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Dhahran.

Khobar

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

9 km awayPop. 165,799

Thuqbah

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

10 km awayPop. 248,888

Dammam

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

16 km awayPop. 1,252,523

Sayhāt

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

23 km awayPop. 66,702

‘Inak

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

27 km awayPop. 20,038

At Tūbī

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

32 km awayPop. 7,740

Tārūt

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

32 km awayPop. 85,371

Al Qaţīf

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

33 km awayPop. 98,259

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence