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About Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is located in Western Asia on the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Jordan and Iraq to the north, Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE to the east, Oman to the southeast, and Yemen to the south, with extensive coastlines along the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. As the largest country in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia covers approximately 2.15 million square kilometers with a population of about 34.5 million people. The kingdom holds immense religious significance as the birthplace of Islam and custodian of Islam's two holiest sites.

Saudi Arabia was unified in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al Saud, establishing the modern kingdom that bears the family name. The country is an absolute monarchy governed under Islamic law (Sharia), with the Quran and Sunnah serving as the constitution. Arabic is the official language, and Islam is the state religion practiced by virtually the entire population. Saudi Arabia is home to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities in Islam, which attract millions of Muslim pilgrims annually for Hajj and Umrah. The country's culture emphasizes traditional values, hospitality, and adherence to Islamic principles.

Saudi Arabia's geography is dominated by vast deserts including the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter), the world's largest continuous sand desert. The western region features the Hejaz mountain range running parallel to the Red Sea coast, while the eastern region contains the country's primary oil fields. The climate is extremely arid with scorching summers and mild winters, receiving minimal rainfall annually. Notable geographical features include the rock formations of Al-Ula, the green highlands of Asir in the southwest, and extensive coastal areas along both the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.

Saudi Arabia possesses the world's second-largest proven petroleum reserves and is the largest oil exporter globally, making petroleum the backbone of its economy. The kingdom is undergoing significant economic diversification through its Vision 2030 program, developing tourism, entertainment, technology, and manufacturing sectors. Riyadh, the capital and largest city, is a modern metropolis and political center. Other major cities include Jeddah (the commercial hub and gateway to Mecca), Mecca, Medina, and Dammam, each playing crucial roles in the kingdom's economy and its position as a major global energy producer.

Major Cities

• Riyadh - The capital and largest city with 7.6 million people, serving as the kingdom's political, administrative, and financial center
• Jeddah - The commercial capital with 4.7 million people, a major port city on the Red Sea and gateway for pilgrims visiting Mecca
• Mecca - Islam's holiest city with 2.1 million people, birthplace of Prophet Muhammad and destination for annual Hajj pilgrimage
• Medina - The second holiest city in Islam with 1.5 million people, home to the Prophet's Mosque and burial place of Muhammad
• Dammam - Eastern Province capital with 1.2 million people, center of the kingdom's oil industry and major port on the Persian Gulf

Interesting Facts

• Saudi Arabia contains the two holiest cities in Islam - Mecca and Medina - with over 2 million Muslims performing Hajj pilgrimage annually
• The country has no rivers or permanent bodies of water, making it one of the driest countries on Earth
• The Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter) is the world's largest continuous sand desert, covering an area larger than France
• Saudi Arabia was unified in 1932, making it one of the youngest major countries, named after the ruling Al Saud royal family
• Women in Saudi Arabia were granted the right to drive in 2018, marking a significant social reform
• The kingdom is developing NEOM, a $500 billion futuristic megacity project as part of Vision 2030 diversification plan