Passport Island Explained

King Fahd Passport Island
Map:Bahrain
Native Name:جزيرة الملك فهد
Native Name Link:Arabic language
Native Name Lang:ar
Nickname:-->
Location:Gulf of Bahrain
Archipelago:Bahrain
Waterbody:Persian Gulf
Area Km2:0.88
Length Km:2.5
Width Km:0.6
Elevation M:3
Country:Bahrain
Country Admin Divisions:Northern Governorate
Country Largest City:Border Station
Country Largest City Population:10
Country1:Saudi Arabia
Country1 Admin Divisions:Eastern Province
Demonym:Bahraini
Population:10
Population As Of:2016
Density Km2:11
Ethnic Groups:Bahraini, non-Bahraini
Timezone1:AST
Utc Offset1:+03:00
Iso Code Type:ISO code
Iso Code:BH-14

King Fahd Passport Island, or simply Passport Island, is an artificial island partitioned between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the Gulf of Bahrain. Spread across 2.5km (01.6miles), it serves as the sole border crossing between the two countries and is used for connecting Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province to Bahrain's Northern Governorate through the King Fahd Causeway.

History

The King Fahd Causeway opened in 1986 and included the building of the artificial island. Its route was chosen as the shortest path between the island of Bahrain and mainland Saudi Arabia. It is named after King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, then ruler of Saudi Arabia.

Geography

The island is located on the King Fahd Causeway.The artificial island is also named Middle Island, Embankment 4. The buildings of King Fahd Causeway Authority and other government Directorates were erected on the Border Station, as well as two mosques, two Coast Guard towers and two 65m (213feet) tower restaurants. The border station also has extensive landscaping all around the islands in addition to the services and road stations.

The Border Station was designed as two islands connected by an isthmus, with the west side designated as Saudi Arabian and the east as Bahraini.[1]

Demography

The only inhabited place is the staff building on the center of the island. The staff belong to the King Fahd Causeway Authority.

Administration

The island belongs to the Northern Governorate in Bahrain, and the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia.

Transportation

The causeway has two segments from the island:

  1. From the Border Station to Al-Aziziyyah, south of Khobar.
  2. From the Border Station to Nasan Island in Bahrain.

Economics

The inhabitants on the island are engaged in Ministry duties for incoming citizens and visitors to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

The Saudi side of the border station has outlets of McDonald's and Kudu and the Bahraini side of the border station has a McDonald's outlet.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.kfca.com.sa/cause_border.htm King Fahd Causeway: Border Station