Sharqiyah

Sharqiyah, also transliterated Ash Sharqiyah, is an Arabic toponym meaning “the eastern.” The term is used for several eastern regions and geographic features in the Arabian Peninsula, including parts of Saudi Arabia and Oman, as well as a desert area along the Gulf coast.

In Saudi Arabia, Ash Sharqiyah commonly refers to the Eastern Province, a coastal and inland region along the Persian Gulf. It stretches from the Qatif area near the eastern coast to Jubail in the north and includes major urban centers such as Dammam, Dhahran, Al Khobar, Qatif, and Jubail. The region is a core component of the Saudi economy, hosting large oil fields, gas facilities, and petrochemical complexes. Key industrial and port facilities include Jubail Industrial City and Ras Tanura, with King Fahd International Airport serving the area. The Al-Hasa Oasis, one of the world’s historic oasis systems, lies within the province. The economy is dominated by oil, gas, and related industries, supported by growing services and logistics sectors.

In Oman, Sharqiyah refers to two governorates, Al Sharqiyah North and Al Sharqiyah South (Ash Sharqiyah North and South), located on the eastern coast along the Arabian Sea. The region contains coastal towns such as Sur and inland oases, with an economy based on fishing, agriculture, and increasingly diversified industry and tourism. The area preserves maritime heritage, including dhow-building towns and traditional trades.

Sharqiya Sands, or Sharqiya Desert, is a large dune field in eastern Saudi Arabia extending inland from the gulf coast. It is a notable geographic feature rather than an administrative unit and is known for its distinctive sand landscapes and desert ecology.