Saudi Arabia is due to complete building work on a new $100bn megacity that lies 62 miles from Jeddah, the commercial hub of the kingdom.
The proposed King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) planned by Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) is claimed to be slightly larger than Washington DC and would cover 70 square miles.
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Construction work on the megacity is expected to take more than ten years, and would include a port, industrial complex, a financial island, beach facilities and residential neighbourhoods.
To date, 15% of the buildings and public facilities have been built, and residential areas are still under construction.
Developed by Emaar, KAEC is located between the two holy cities of Makkah and Madina, and the commercial hub, Jeddah, on the Red Sea coast.
The development is expected to energise the economy through components such as the port, industrial zone and residential sector.
KAEC is being built by Emaar Properties. It will complement the goals of SAGIA and the Economic Cities Authority, and present an ideal destination for families.
Al Murooj, an elite community on the shores of the Red Sea, will be the exclusive district in KAEC while Al Talah Gardens has been designed for young, family-friendly living.
Announced in 2005 by the then king of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
