King Fahd's Fountain
| King Fahd's Fountain | |
|---|---|
نافورة الملك فهد | |
 The fountain illuminated at night | |
Interactive map of the King Fahd's Fountain area | |
Alternative names | Jeddah Fountain |
General information | |
| Status | Operational |
| Location | Jeddah, Mecca Province, Saudi Arabia |
| Coordinates | 21°30′56″N 39°8′42″E / 21.51556°N 39.14500°E |
Completed | 1985 |
| Owner | Jeddah Municipality |
| Height | |
| Height | 312 m (1,024 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Fountain |
| Material | Seawater (Red Sea) |
The King Fahd’s Fountain, also known as the Jeddah Fountain, is a prominent landmark in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and holds the distinction of being the tallest fountain in the world.[1]
History
The fountain was initially constructed between 1980 and 1983 and was inspired by the Geneva Fountain, which stands at 140 meters with a pumping speed of 124 mph. However, the initial design did not meet expectations for height, leading to further development.[2]
The fountain was later brought into its current operational form in 1985, when it began pumping seawater at very high pressure to achieve its full height and performance of 312 m (1,024 ft).[3]
Team Red Bull Air Force base jumper Othar Lawrence set a global record by completing a historic jump near the fountain.[4]
Overview
The fountain was gifted to the city of Jeddah by King Fahd, after whom it is named. It was constructed between 1980 and 1983 and was officially launched in 1985.[5]
The base of the fountain is shaped like a large mabkhara, and King Fahd’s Fountain is listed in the Guinness World Records as the tallest water fountain in the world.[6]
The fountain is visible throughout the vicinity of Jeddah. The water ejected can reach a speed of 375 km/h (233 mph) and its airborne mass can exceed 16 tonnes (18 short tons).[6] The fountain uses saltwater taken from the Red Sea instead of freshwater. Over 500 LED spotlights illuminate the fountain at night.
See also
References
- ↑ Steve (2015-06-27). "Top 6 Tallest Fountains in the World". Life in Saudi Arabia. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
- ↑ "The Jeddah Fountain". Arab News. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
- ↑ "Jeddah Fountain, 40 Years of Visual Delight". Saudi Press Agency. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
- ↑ "أوثار لورانس في قفزة تاريخية" (in Arabic). Red Bull. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
- ↑ "World Tallest Fountain in Jeddah". Hotel Travel. Archived from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- 1 2 "King Fahd's Fountain in Saudi Arabia". Prosperity Fountain. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
External links
Media related to King Fahd's Fountain in Jeddah at Wikimedia Commons