King Fahd's Fountain

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King Fahd's Fountain
نافورة الملك فهد
Jeddah Fountain
BSM 2571.jpg
The fountain illuminated at night
Year1985; 36 years ago (1985)
TypeFountain
Dimensions312 m (1024 ft)
LocationJeddah, Saudi Arabia
Coordinates21°30′56″N 39°8′42″E / 21.51556°N 39.14500°E / 21.51556; 39.14500Coordinates: 21°30′56″N 39°8′42″E / 21.51556°N 39.14500°E / 21.51556; 39.14500

King Fahd's Fountain (Arabic: نافورة الملك فهد‎) also known as the Jeddah Fountain, is a fountain in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the tallest of its type in the world.[1]

Overview[]

The fountain was donated to the city of Jeddah by King Fahd, hence its name. It was constructed between 1980 and 1983 and was launched in 1985.[2]

Located on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, the fountain jets water to a maximum height, according to different sources, of either 260 metres (853 ft).[3][4][5] The second-tallest is the World Cup Fountain in Seoul, South Korea, with a water height of 202 m (663 ft).

King Fahd's Fountain is listed in Guinness World Records as the highest 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).[7] The fountain uses saltwater taken from the Red Sea instead of freshwater. Over 500 LED spotlights illuminate the fountain at night.

History[]

The construction of the fountain was initially built between 1980 and 1983 and was inspired from the Geneva Fountain (length 140 meters, pumping speed 124 mph), but the planners were not satisfied with the height. The fountain was then operated in its current form in 1985 to pump sea water at a speed of 233 miles per hour to a height of 312 meters (1024 feet).

Team Red Bull Air Force base jumper Othar Lawrence succeeded in achieving a global record by making a historic jump along the fountain.[8][9]

Design[]

King Fahd's Fountain at night.

The base of the fountain is in the form of a large mabkhara, an incense burner which symbolizes the Arabian culture. Since the fountain pumps sea water, rust and corrosion were the main concerns of those who built it. Before reaching the pump, the water passes through several filters to purify it from dirt, sand and organic matter. The fountain is lit by 500 high-light LEDs designed to withstand the continuous fall of thousands of tons of water from hundreds of metres. These spotlights are installed on special islands.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Steve (2015-06-27). "Top 6 Tallest Fountains in the World". Life in Saudi Arabia. Retrieved 2021-03-26. [File:https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King Fahd Fountain.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Picture Of King Fahd Fountain At Deep Dark night|Picture Of King Fahd Fountain At Deep Dark night]
  2. ^ "World Tallest Fountain in Jeddah". Hotel Travel. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  3. ^ Mughai (20 June 2012). "Jeddah Fountain – King Fahd's fountain Jeddah – Saudi Arabia". Jeddah Point. Retrieved 21 February 2014.[better source needed]
  4. ^ "6/12 - King Fahd's Fountain, Jiddah". Arabic Media. Retrieved 21 February 2014.[better source needed]
  5. ^ "Jiddah: King Fahd's Fountain". SAMIRAD. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  6. ^ "King Fahd's Fountain in Saudi Arabia". Prosperity Fountain. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  7. ^ "King Fahd's Fountain in Saudi Arabia". Prosperity Fountain. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  8. ^ "أوثار لورانس في قفزة تاريخية". Red Bull (in Arabic). Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  9. ^ "Red Bull Air Force". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-09-08.

External link[]

Media related to King Fahd's Fountain in Jeddah at Wikimedia Commons

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