New two-lane street in 'Ar'ar, one of the thriving modern communities that have developed near Tapline's main pump stations in northern Saudi Arabia.

Along the desolate path of Tapline's main pipeline, travelled through the centuries only by camel caravans, the forces of change are clearly discernible. In the skies, a stream of international jet planes carries men and goods from East and West. Below, the caravan unit of today-the giant truck packed with commodities-rumbles through the day and night.

Within three kilometers of the Tapline pump station community of Badanah the new town of 'Ar'ar flourishes. Traffic bustles along a broad, landscaped street. A mosque, a modern school, new homes, flourishing gardens dot the area. In the business section, well-stocked stores supply the people's needs. An electric power company, locally owned, generates energy for the prospering community.

Within 'Ar'ar, as in other pipeline communities receiving technical and town planning assistance from Tapline, stand many modern homes built by Tapline employees with company help.

In many ways, 'Ar"ar typifies the development of northern Saudi Arabia, where the nomad and the camel are slowly disappearing and where Tapline, through its presence and its needs, continues to help make possible a new and rising economy.

PIPELINE ROAD AN ARTERY OF COMMERCE

The road paralleling Tapline in Saudi Arabia, built during the construction of the pipeline and since