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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
