|
| Country
Status |
| Independent
monarchy of absolute power. |
| Capital |
| Riyadh |
| Population |
| 18,000,000 |
| Religion |
| Islam |
| Head
of State |
|
King
Fahad Ibn Abdul Aziz
|
| Languages |
| Arabic
(Official),
English |
| Land
Surface |
| 2,240,000
km˛ |
| Currency |
1
Rial = 20 Qurushs.
1 Qurush = 5 Halala.
100 Rials = US$26.7
US$1 = 3.75 Rials. |
| Local
Time |
| 3
hours ahead of GMT. |
|
|
Saudi
Arabia
consists
mostly of semi-desert and desert with oases, where half of the
total surface is uninhabitable desert. Very little rain. The
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia consists of the Central plateau of
Najd and Al-hassa and the coastal strips of Asir and Al-Hejaz
on the Red Sea. The east is lowland, with very hot climate.
The southwest has mountains as high as 3,000 meters. Saudi
Arabia covers the greater part of the Arabian Peninsula and
its Western Coastline extends some 1,000 miles down the Red
Sea to the borders of Yemen.
Likewise,
the climate is dry and hot. Riyadh, the capital, has an
average temperature in July of 42؛C and January of 14؛C,
while Jeddah has 31؛C and 23؛C. Annual
precipitation in both places is below 100 mm. There are no
permanent rivers and lakes in Saudi Arabia. Vegetation is
scant, consisting mostly of xerophytes herbs and shrubs.
Animal life includes ibex, wildcats, baboons, wolves, and
hyenas in the highlands. Small birds are found in the oases.
Islam
is the Country's religion , The law of the land is based on
the religious law of Islam and sentences are based on the
Koran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). The
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the seat of Islam and the two
holiest places for Muslims all over the World, Makkah and
Madina are located in Saudi Arabia.
The
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Saudi Arabia is 121,103
million dollars, The Kingdom's main exports are Crude and
Refined Oil, Petrochemicals and Petroleum products. The
largest oil field in the world is located here and is known to
hold 28 million barrels of oil. Proven oil reserves amount is
30% of the world's total reserve. Saudi Arabia exports
engineering and metal products, pipes, cables, copper,
air-conditioners, aluminum products, building materials,
marble products, cement, gypsum, and paper products. As far as
the agricultural sector is concerned, vegetables, fruits,
dates, and wheat are the main products. Meat and poultry
products are also produced in a large scales. Sheep, camels,
and horses are reared and hide, skin and wool are exported.
Fishing is also one of the main occupations.
Visas
are required for all nationals except those from the GCC
Countries. Non-Muslims are strictly forbidden from entering
Makkah and Madina
Health regulations for yellow fever immunization and
inoculation against cholera are necessary for visitors coming
from infected areas, TAB inoculation is also recommended.
The
Saudi Arabian Broadcasting system operates several medium and
short-wave programs in Arabic, English, French, Urdu,
Indonesian, and Swahili languages. Apart from these, an
English television channel is run by ARAMCO. Transmissions are
through the public network stations. The print medium is
represented by a large number of Arabic newspapers and
periodicals. English newspapers are also available.
|
