Nestled away on the coast of the Persian Gulf, Dammam's history and significance are far from being as rich or glorious as its counterparts on the Kingdom's western coast. Originally nothing more than a tiny settlement comprising an ancient fortress surrounded by a row of impromptu housing, the city would remain as such until the arrival of the fleeing al-Dawasir tribe from the isle of Bahrain. Yet it would only be with the arrival of the Arab-American Oil Company, almost two decades later, that the meagre locality would grow to become one of the Saudi Kingdom's most significant industrial cities as their discovery of petroleum reserves within the city's vicinity brought to it much needed attention from both the government and investors alike. Workers from across Arabia flood into the city, clouds of smoke rise into the city's sky, and streams of oil flow from beneath the ground as the chimes of industry continue to sound within the streets of the bustling city. While Dammam may grow and prosper into one of the Saudi state's most pristine metropolises, its lifeline has also proven to be its main curse, as the often-disgruntled workers of the Oil Industry continue to sow discord within the young city's foundations.