RAS TANURA

also spelled Ras Tannura, Arabic Ra's At-tannurah, port on the Persian Gulf, in eastern Saudi Arabia, at the tip of a small peninsula. Developed by the Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco) after the discovery of nearby petroleum deposits in the 1930s, it is now a principal Persian Gulf terminal of the pipelines and has a modern port capable of accommodating the largest tankers. The town also has a refinery and storage tanks as well as hydroformers, producing high-octane gasoline. Aramco operates an industrial-training school and a hospital.