The Province of Jazan lies in the south west section of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It has a population of approximately 1.2 million and covers an area of 40,000 sqkm including some 5,000 villages and cities. Its major city, Jizan, is home to the Port of Jizan, Saudi Arabia’s third most important port on the Red Sea. It is ideally situated on the southern Red Sea coast with a coastline of almost 300km and is very close to the main east and west sea trade routes to Europe, the Far East and Persian Gulf. The Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia’s first protected wildlife area, is home to the endangered Arabian gazelle and, in winter, receives migratory birds from Europe. Its plains are noted for the production of coffee beans and grain crops, like barley millet and wheat; and fruits, such as apples, bananas, grapes, mangoes, papayas, plums and citrus varieties.