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Al-Khobar is one of the three main cities in the Eastern
Province, the others being Dammam and Dhahran. These three
cities form a closely joined triangle which has existed
for centuries. In the past, Al-Khobar was a small port on
the Arabian Gulf, inhabited mainly by fishermen. With the
discovery of oil, it was transformed into an industrial
port. In time, it has become the commercial hub of the Eastern
Province. Based on a city plan dating back to 1942 (1361H),
the city is neatly divided into residential squares evenly
transected by roads. Such careful organization is indicative
of its important role in the national economy. Along with
its industrial port, the city still serves small ships carrying
passengers and goods. It is the center of the area's export-import
activity, and is a transit point for goods that are distributed
throughout the Kingdom.
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