RIYADH — Six out of a total of 1,285 islands in the Kingdom, representing about 0.47 percent, are populated, local daily Al-Watan said on Monday quoting a report by the Saudi Geological Survey Authority (SGSA). The report said about 89 percent of the islands are located in the Aqaba Bay and the Red Sea while the remaining 11 percent are in the Arabian Gulf. Though a large number of the islands are unpopulated, the report said many of them are replete with tourist attractions consisting of rich and fabulous environmental and topographical varieties. "There are extended soft sand beaches, mountain heights and green coverage in addition to the corals," the SGSA report said. The report said the islands are qualified to be bastions for tourists with fishing and diving hobbies in addition to those looking for rest and comfort during the whole year. The report said the most important of the islands in the Red Sea are Tiran, Sanafir and Al-Numan and in the Arabian Gulf are Karan, Abu Ali Al-Zakhnawiyah and Al-Huwaisat. The Red Sea islands also include Farasan island, near Jazan, which has a total area of 380 sq. km and is away from the coast by 20.5 miles. People go there mainly for fishing. There is also Sajeed island which has an area of 150 sq. km and is away from the coast by 23.8 miles and Qummah with an area of 15.4 sq. km which is 29.5 miles away from the coast. The Arabian Gulf islands consist of Tarout in the Eastern Province which has an area of 20.3 sq. km and is away from the coast by 0.5 miles, Abu Ali which has an area of 59.3 sq. km and is away from the coast by 4.5 miles and Qunnah which has an area of 5.4 sq. km and is away from the coast by 800 meters. The report said as many as 1,199 islands have areas which are less than a square kilometer while 64 have areas ranging from one kilometer to 10, 18 with areas ranging from 10-50 km and four have areas which are more than 50 km. It said 974 islands are away from the coast by less than 12 miles, 127 by 12 to 24 miles and 184 by more than 24 miles.
