Qatif functioned for centuries as the most important trade port in Eastern Arabia, to the point where the whole Persian Gulf was labeled "Sea of Qatif". The term Qatif is derived from what translates to "harvest" or "grain", sig… See more

The economy of Qatif witnessed a sharp decline in the 1920s, initially due to the invention of cultured pearls which severely impacted the Gulf pearl trade, then due to World War I. The decline was accelerated by a specia… See more

Although Qatif has a traditional Arab cuisine, in which it shares dishes with its surroundings, it is famous and specializes in several dishes, including:
• Kabaji [ar]
• Mary's bread [ar]… See more

Qatif has a desert climate with temperatures approaching 50 °C (122 °F) in the summer and an average humidity of 75%. In winter, temperatures range between 2 and 18 °C (36 and 64 °F). During the months of May and June, … See more

The Qatif region is the largest concentration of Shia Islam in Saudi Arabia; less than 10% of Qatif are Sunni Muslims. Qatif is the centre of the Shiite population in Saudi Arabia. Since 2005, the government has eased the r… See more