Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Country in Western Asia occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula

Riyadh

Capital city of Saudi Arabia

Population

34,268,528

Oil

Saudi Arabia has the most oil of any place in the world and ships more oil than any other country

Islam

Religion practiced in Saudi Arabia, with Mecca and Medina as its holiest shrines

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques

Title of the King of Saudi Arabia

Nomadic tribes

Inhabitants of Saudi Arabia prior to the 7th century

Muhammad

Prophet of Islam, born in Mecca in 570

Arabs

Followers of Muhammad who expanded the area of Muslim rule beyond Arabia

Ottoman Empire

Prominent empire in the region in the 16th century

House of Saud

Family that emerged as a power in the 18th century

Al Rashid

Another family that came to power in the late 1800s

Independent nation

Saudi Arabia became independent after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I

Abdul-Aziz bin Saud

Regained power for the House of Saud and formed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932

Geography

Total size: 1,960,582 square km

Size Comparison

Slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US

Geographical Coordinates

25 00 N, 45 00 E

Middle East

Region or continent where Saudi Arabia is located

Terrain

Mostly uninhabited, sandy desert

Geographical Low Point

Persian Gulf 0 m

Geographical High Point

Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m

Climate

Harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes

Major cities

RIYADH (capital) 4.725 million; Jeddah 3.234 million; Mecca 1.484 million; Medina 1.104 million; Ad Dammam 902,000 (2009)

Type of Government

Monarchy

Languages Spoken

Arabic

Independence

23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)

National Holiday

Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

Nationality

Saudi(s)

Religions

Muslim 100%

National Symbol

Palm tree surmounting two crossed swords

National Anthem or Song

Aash Al Maleek (Long Live Our Beloved King)

Major Industries

Crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals; ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics; metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction

Agricultural Products

Wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk

Natural Resources

Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

Major Exports

Petroleum and petroleum products 90%

Major Imports

Machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles

Currency

Saudi riyal (SAR)

National GDP

$687,700,000,000

History

Saudi Arabia's history started in 1727 with the rise of the Al Saud dynasty

Ancient Cultures

Saudi Arabia had several ancient cultures and civilizations

Roman Empire

Parts of Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries were part of the Roman Empire

Arabian Peninsula

Area where Islam emerged and later became peripheral

Absolute Monarchy

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy ruled by the Al Saud royal family

Wahhabi Sunni Islam

Dominant form of Islam in Saudi Arabia

Ulama

Religious authorities who historically played a major role in Saudi politics and society

Oil Discovery

Oil was discovered in Saudi Arabia in 1938

Oil Reserves

Saudi Arabia controls the world's second largest oil reserves

King Salman

Current king of Saudi Arabia

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Heir to the throne of Saudi Arabia

Economic Reforms

Saudi Arabia has pursued economic reforms under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Women's Rights

Rights of women in Saudi Arabia have been expanding under recent reforms

Human Rights Abuses

Saudi Arabia has been criticized for human rights abuses and repression

Western Asia

Saudi Arabia is located in Western Asia

Arabian Peninsula

Saudi Arabia occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula

Red Sea

Saudi Arabia is bordered by the Red Sea to the west

Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait

Saudi Arabia is bordered by Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait to the north

Persian Gulf

Saudi Arabia is bordered by the Persian Gulf and surrounding countries to the east

Yemen

Saudi Arabia is bordered by Yemen to the south

Rub' al Khali

World's second largest sand desert, located in Saudi Arabia

Muhammad

Prophet who united the Arabian tribes and established a single Islamic state

Political System

Saudi Arabia is an authoritarian political system