Saudi Arabia: The Heart of the Arabian Peninsula
Introduction:
Saudi Arabia, officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country located in Western Asia, constituting the majority of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen, with the Persian Gulf to the northeast and the Red Sea to the west. The capital city is Riyadh, while Mecca and Medina are the two holiest cities in Islam.
Saudi Arabia’s geography is characterized by vast deserts, including the Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter), the largest continuous sand desert in the world. The climate is predominantly desert, with extreme temperatures and minimal rainfall, contributing to its unique ecosystems and natural landscapes.
Economically, Saudi Arabia is one of the wealthiest countries in the Middle East, primarily due to its vast oil reserves. It is the world’s largest oil exporter and a leading member of OPEC. The Saudi riyal (SAR) is the official currency. In recent years, the country has been diversifying its economy through its Vision 2030 initiative, aiming to reduce dependence on oil and develop sectors such as tourism, entertainment, and technology.
Culturally, Saudi Arabia is deeply rooted in Islamic traditions, with Islam being the state religion and guiding many aspects of daily life. Arabic is the official language, and the country is known for its rich cultural heritage, traditional music, dance, and cuisine. Saudi Arabia also plays a significant role in the Muslim world, being the birthplace of Islam and home to its two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina.
Saudi Arabia’s history dates back to ancient civilizations, but the modern kingdom was established in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al Saud. The country has undergone significant transformations over the decades, balancing modernization with its conservative cultural values.
Politically, Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy with the King serving as both the head of state and government. The country follows Sharia law, and the royal family plays a central role in governance. Saudi Arabia is a member of numerous international organizations, including the United Nations, the Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Tourism in Saudi Arabia is growing, with new initiatives to attract visitors to its historical sites, natural wonders, and modern attractions. Key destinations include the ancient city of Al-Ula, the Red Sea coastline, and the futuristic city of NEOM. The country also hosts millions of pilgrims annually for the Hajj and Umrah rituals in Mecca.
110 Facts About Saudi Arabia (2024)
Basic Information
| Number | Category | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Current Name | Saudi Arabia |
| 2. | National Name | المملكة العربية السعودية (Al-Mamlakah Al-‘Arabīyah As-Su‘ūdīyah) |
| 3. | Former Names | N/A |
| 4. | Date of Establishment | September 23, 1932 |
| 5. | Date of Independence | N/A (unification of the Kingdom) |
| 6. | Leadership | King: Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince: Mohammed bin Salman |
| 7. | Government Type | Absolute monarchy |
Geography
| Number | Category | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8. | Capital City | Riyadh |
| 9. | Important Cities | Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Dammam |
| 10. | Land Area | 2,149,690 square kilometers |
| 11. | Total Area | 2,149,690 square kilometers |
| 12. | Neighboring Countries (Land) | Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Yemen |
| 13. | Neighboring Countries (Sea) | Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea |
| 14. | UNESCO World Heritage Sites | Al-Hijr (Madâin Sâlih), At-Turaif District in ad-Dir’iyah, Historic Jeddah (5 sites) |
| 15. | UNESCO World Natural Sites | N/A |
| 16. | Climate | Desert climate with hot summers and mild winters |
| 17. | Biodiversity | Desert flora and fauna, including Arabian oryx and sand gazelle |
| 18. | Famous River | No permanent rivers |
| 19. | Famous Mountain | Jabal Sawda |
| 20. | Coastline Length | 2,640 kilometers |
| 21. | Major Islands | Farasan Islands |
| 22. | Longest River | Wadi Al-Rummah (seasonal) |
| 23. | Highest Waterfall | N/A |
| 24. | Largest Lake | N/A |
| 25. | Largest Forest | Asir National Park |
Population
| Number | Category | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 26. | Population (2024) | Approximately 35 million |
| 27. | Population (1950) | 3 million |
| 28. | Population (1900) | 1.5 million |
| 29. | Projected Population (2070) | 45 million |
| 30. | Population Density | 16 people per square kilometer |
| 31. | Urban Population (%) | 84% |
| 32. | Rural Population (%) | 16% |
Demographics
| Number | Category | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 33. | Ethnicity/Race | Arab (90%), Afro-Asian (10%) |
| 34. | Languages | Arabic (official) |
| 35. | National Language | Arabic |
| 36. | Religion | Islam (100%) |
| 37. | Median Age | 30.2 years |
| 38. | Life Expectancy | 75.3 years |
| 39. | Birth Rate | 18.3 births per 1,000 people |
| 40. | Death Rate | 3.5 deaths per 1,000 people |
Economic Indicators
| Number | Category | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 41. | Monetary Unit | Saudi Riyal (SAR) |
| 42. | GDP | $793 billion (2022 est.) |
| 43. | GDP per Capita (PPP) | $55,800 (2022 est.) |
| 44. | Income Level | High income |
| 45. | Consumer Price Inflation | 3.2% (2022 est.) |
| 46. | Current Account Balance | $40 billion surplus (2022 est.) |
| 47. | Exchange Rate (Per $) | 1 USD = 3.75 SAR |
| 48. | Unemployment Rate | 6.6% (2022 est.) |
| 49. | Stocks Inward ($ billion) | 230 (2022 est.) |
| 50. | Real GDP Growth (%) | 2.4% (2022 est.) |
| 51. | Labor Force (Million) | 13 million |
| 52. | Major Industries | Oil, petrochemicals, cement, fertilizer, construction |
| 53. | Major Exports | Crude oil, refined petroleum, chemicals, plastics |
| 54. | Major Imports | Machinery, vehicles, foodstuffs, chemicals |
| 55. | Public Debt (% of GDP) | 30.2% (2022 est.) |
| 56. | Tax Revenue (% of GDP) | 7.6% (2022 est.) |
| 57. | Minimum Wage | 4,000 SAR per month |
| 58. | Average Household Income | $24,000 per year |
| 59. | Inflation Rate | 3.2% (2022) |
| 60. | Interest Rate | 1.0% (2022) |
| 61. | Major Trade Partners | China, India, United States, Japan, South Korea |
Social Indicators
| Number | Category | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 62. | Literacy Rate | 95.3% |
| 63. | Fertility Rate | 2.3 children per woman |
| 64. | Infant Mortality Rate | 6.3 per 1,000 live births |
| 65. | Under-5 Mortality Rate | 7.8 per 1,000 live births |
| 66. | National Holidays | Saudi National Day, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha |
| 67. | Health Care System | Universal healthcare system |
| 68. | Health Expenditure (% of GDP) | 6.4% (2022 est.) |
| 69. | Obesity Rate | 35.4% of adults |
| 70. | Drinking Water Source | 100% of the population has access to clean drinking water |
| 71. | Access to Sanitation | 100% of the population has access to improved sanitation facilities |
| 72. | Average Life Satisfaction | 6.2/10 |
| 73. | Major Health Issues | Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases |
| 74. | Smoking Rate | 22.7% of adults |
Culture and Society
| Number | Category | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 75. | Famous People | King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Tariq Al-Suwaidan, Ghazi Al-Gosaibi |
| 76. | Legal Marriage Age | 18 years |
| 77. | Gender Inequality Index | 0.274 (2021) |
| 78. | National Sport | Soccer |
| 79. | Sport Achievements | Multiple AFC Asian Cup wins, Olympic medals |
| 80. | National Animal | Arabian oryx |
| 81. | National Fruit | Date |
| 82. | Famous Landmarks | Masjid al-Haram, Masjid an-Nabawi, Kingdom Tower |
| 83. | National Dish | Kabsa |
| 84. | Major Newspapers | Al Riyadh, Arab News, Saudi Gazette |
| 85. | Major TV Channels | Al Arabiya, Saudi TV, MBC |
| 86. | Popular Music Genres | Traditional Arabic music, pop, hip-hop |
| 87. | National Theatre | King Fahd Cultural Center |
| 88. | National Gallery | King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) |
| 89. | Popular Festivals | Janadriyah National Festival, Riyadh Season, Jeddah Season |
| 90. | Average Internet Speed | 50 Mbps |
| 91. | Most Popular TV Show | Tash Ma Tash |
| 92. | Most Popular Book | The Holy Quran |
| 93. | Most Popular Sport | Soccer |
| 94. | Most Visited Museum | National Museum in Riyadh |
| 95. | Largest Stadium | King Fahd International Stadium |
| 96. | National Anthem | “Aash Al Maleek” |
| 97. | Famous Historical Sites | Al Ula, Diriyah, Al-Balad |
| 98. | Major Brands | Saudi Aramco, Almarai, SABIC, STC |
| 99. | Famous Foods | Shawarma, falafel, hummus, mutabbaq |
| 100. | Famous Drinks | Saudi coffee, laban, mint tea |
Education
| Number | Category | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 101. | Best Public University | King Saud University |
| 102. | Best Private University | Alfaisal University |
| 103. | Education Rank | 36th globally |
| 104. | School Enrollment Rate | 98% for primary education |
| 105. | Average Class Size | 25 students |
| 106. | Notable Alumni | Ali Al-Naimi, Lubna Olayan, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah |
| 107. | Public Spending on Education | 6.8% of GDP |
| 108. | Number of Universities | Over 30 |
| 109. | Popular Study Abroad Destinations | United States, United Kingdom, Germany |
| 110. | Literacy Programs | Extensive adult literacy programs available |
History
Saudi Arabia’s history dates back to ancient civilizations, but the modern kingdom was established in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al Saud. The country has undergone significant transformations over the decades, balancing modernization with its conservative cultural values.
The Flag of Saudi Arabia
The national flag of Saudi Arabia features a green field with the Shahada (Islamic declaration of faith) inscribed in white Arabic script above a white horizontal sword.
- Green Field: Represents Islam.
- Shahada: “There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,” reflecting the Islamic faith.
- White Sword: Symbolizes the strictness in applying justice.
The flag symbolizes Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Islam and justice, reflecting its identity as the birthplace of Islam and its leadership role in the Muslim world.
