Al-Lith Governorate

Al-Lith Governorate is one governorate in Makkah al-Mukarramah Province in the western area of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is a coastal governorate due to its location overlooking the Red Sea. It is located in the southern part of Makkah al-Mukarramah Province, approximately 180 km away from the city of Makkah al-Mukarramah.

The name al-Lith is derived from Wadi al-Lith, which is located at its estuary. In the past, al-Lith used to be the commercial port that received large ships from Jazan, Yemen, and the coasts of Africa. These goods were then exported to Makkah al-Mukarramah and Jeddah.

Al-Lith Governorate is classified as a Category (A) and it is one of the governorates with the highest population in Makkah al-Mukarramah Province, with an estimated population of around 73,753 people, according to the 2022 Saudi Census. The area of al-Lith Governorate is twenty-five thousand km, and it includes eleven administrative centers.

Residents and visitors of al-Lith Governorate use King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, due to its proximity to the governorate. Residents of al-Lith Governorate can reach it within a maximum of three hours.

Al-Lith Governorate is intersected by a network of major roads, most notably Highway Five, which begins at the Saudi-Yemeni border crossing and heads northward along the Red Sea coast, passing through Jazan, Ash-Shuqaiq, al-Qunfudhah, al-Lith, Jeddah, and Thuwal. This road is also known as al-Lith - Makkah al-Mukarramah route (the Old Coastal Road), and it holds significant importance as it is frequented by pilgrims coming from the southern regions of the Kingdom and Yemen, passing through Miqat Yalamlam, in addition to al-Lith - Ghameeqah road.

Al-Lith Governorate boasts exceptional tourist attractions, with the maritime island of Jabal al-Lith being one of the promising tourist destinations. Covering an area of approximately four km, it is situated about 11.5 NM from the coast.

The shores in the governorate are known for the abundance of types of fish and shrimp that live in the coral reef environment. This includes fish like the Najil, the Taradi known for its red color, Turbani, Kashr, Hamour, Sha'our, Sejan, Bahar, Bayad, Arabian, Hareed, Kan'ad, and the Istakouza (lobster), in addition to ornamental fish such as butterflyfish, chromis, orchid, triggerfish, sea hen, lizard, surgeonfish, and guppy.

In line with the technological advancements in the province's operations, in 2020, al-Lith Digital Portal was launched under the slogan al-Lith Towards the Digital World to receive pioneering initiatives for the Makkah Cultural Forum. It serves as a digital milestone reflecting the distinctiveness of al-Lith Governorate and its affiliated centers and villages. Work is continuously underway to develop this portal so that citizens, residents, visitors, Hajj and Umrah pilgrims can access and learn about al-Lith Governorate from all service, administrative, health, industrial, educational, environmental, and tourist aspects, along with the unique features it boasts.

In al-Lith Governorate, there are significant educational and scientific corporations. Among them is the College of Health Sciences, established in 2006. It joined the preceding medical colleges of Umm al-Qura University. Over the years, it witnessed several developmental activities, with the introduction of various departments in the college and the addition of new bachelor's and master's degree programs.

The province also hosts the Technical College and the Secondary Industrial Institute for Boys, one of the training establishments affiliated with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation.