King Fahd's Fountain, Water fountain in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

King Fahd's Fountain rises off the Jeddah shoreline in the Red Sea, a single vertical jet of seawater thrown to 312 m at 233 mph. Its base is shaped like a large mabkhara, the incense burner, and the spray is lit at night by more than 500 spotlights mounted on special islands. Street lamps and palms line the shore at its foot.

The fountain was first built between 1980 and 1983, modelled on the Jet d'Eau in Geneva, which reaches 140 m at a pumping speed of 124 mph. Planners found the result unsatisfactory, and in 1985 it was brought into its current form, pumping Red Sea seawater at 233 mph to a height of 312 m. It was a gift to Jeddah from King Fahd, after whom it is named.

The fountain is named after King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who gave it to the city of Jeddah. Its base is shaped like a large mabkhara, the traditional incense burner, a form chosen to refer to Arab heritage. The jet is lit at night by more than 500 high-intensity spotlights mounted on special islands.

The best view of the jet comes from public areas along the Corniche, particularly after dark when floodlights illuminate the stream. Those visiting during the day should note that the fountain sometimes shuts down during strong winds or maintenance periods.

The seawater used contains salt and minerals that would damage the nozzles and pipes without regular maintenance. Engineers had to develop special materials and filters to prevent corrosion from the aggressive saltwater.