Saudi Arabia. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

In the Middle Ages, the territory of modern Saudi Arabia was part of a huge empire - the Arab Caliphate. There are still places of worship for Muslims in Saudi Arabia. Now, thanks to its huge oil reserves, Saudi Arabia is one of the richest countries in the world. Many cities in this country are closed to foreigners. However, Saudi Arabia has many other interesting places for tourists, as well as beach resorts on the Red Sea coast.

Saudi Arabia is located in Western Asia, on the Arabian Peninsula. In the north, Saudi Arabia borders with Iraq and Jordan, in the northeast with Kuwait, in the southeast with Yemen, and in the northeast with the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain. In the west, Saudi Arabia is washed by the waters of the warm Red Sea, and in the northeast it is limited by the Persian Gulf. The total territory of this country is 2,149,000 square meters. km, and the total length of the state border is 4,431 km.

Most of the territory of Saudi Arabia is occupied by semi-deserts and deserts. There are mountains in the southwest and west of the country. The country's largest peak is Mount Sauda, ​​whose height reaches 3,133 m.

There are practically no rivers or lakes in Saudi Arabia, but there are numerous oases.

The capital of Saudi Arabia is the city of Riyadh, which is now home to about 5 million people. People lived on the territory of modern Riyadh 4 thousand years ago.

In Saudi Arabia, the official language is Arabic, which belongs to the Semitic group of the Afroasiatic language family.

About 97% of the population of Saudi Arabia is Muslim. Of these, about 90% are Sunni Muslims belonging to the Wahhabis, and the rest are Shia Muslims.

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy in which the head of state is the King. Power is inherited. The king must comply with Islamic religious law, Sharia.

It is not surprising that there are no political parties in Saudi Arabia, because all power belongs to the King, who governs the country with the help of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Saudi Arabia consists of 13 provinces (mintaqats).

The climate in Saudi Arabia is desert, with very high daytime temperatures and cool nights. Only the southwestern province of Asir has a more temperate climate (monsoons from the Indian Ocean and mountains). The average annual air temperature is +25.3C. The highest average air temperature in Saudi Arabia is observed in July and August - +45C, and the lowest in January and December (+3C). The average annual precipitation is 106.5 mm per year.

In the west, Saudi Arabia is washed by the waters of the warm Red Sea (1,760 km), and in the northeast it is limited by the Persian Gulf (560 km). The total coastline is 2,320 km.

The entire culture of Saudi Arabia is permeated with Islam. The only non-religious holiday in this country is the Jinadriya folk festival, which includes camel racing. All other holidays in Saudi Arabia are religious in nature - Ramadan, Hajj, Eid al-Fitr, etc.

During the Hajj, millions of pilgrims from all over the world come to Mecca. Pilgrims visit religious mosques, Mount Arafat and the Mina Valley.

The cuisine in Saudi Arabia is traditional for Arab countries. Traditional foods - rice, halal meat, dairy products, fish.

Traditional dishes in Saudi Arabia: kebab, shawarma, fried lamb meshui, peppers stuffed with meat, dajaj (stewed chicken in tomato sauce), haris (chicken casserole), duck with rice and vegetables , “sambusa” pies with fillings (meat, vegetables, cheese).

Various soups and broths, pilaf, and vegetable salads are popular in Saudi Arabia. Residents of Saudi Arabia like to season all their dishes with spices, olives, onions, garlic, cinnamon, and honey.

The most popular sweets in Saudi Arabia are pistachio and raisin rice pudding, Turkish delight, baklava, honey donuts, and candied fruit.

Traditional soft drinks in Saudi Arabia are coffee (often with cardamom added) and tea (usually with herbs).

Saudi Arabia is home to Muslim holy sites and mosques. In this country there are ruins of ancient fortresses, forts, mosques and even Christian temples, as well as salt mines, rock tombs, and palaces. Those. tourists have a lot to see in this country. The top ten best attractions in Saudi Arabia, in our opinion, include the following:

1. Al-Quba Mosque near Medina
2. Al-Masjid Mosque in Medina
3. Musmak Fortress in Riyadh
4. Al-Hijr Archaeological Complex
5. Shada Palace in Abha
6. Qasr Marid fortress in Domat El-Jandal
7. Rock tombs at Madain Salih
8. Masjid Omah Mosque in Domat El-Jandal
9. Royal Museum in Riyadh
10. Ancient fort in Al-Hofuf

The largest cities in Saudi Arabia are Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, and, of course, Riyadh.

Most tourists come to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan to visit Mecca. However, Saudi Arabia has several excellent resorts on the Red Sea. The beaches in Saudi Arabia are sandy and long. By the way, the longest sandy beach in Saudi Arabia is located in the Half Moon Bay region near Al Khobar. Another popular local beach resort is Obir. Also, we should not forget about Jeddah, the largest Saudi city on the Red Sea. In the coastal waters of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, scientists have counted more than 20 species of corals.

Tourists from Saudi Arabia usually bring handicrafts, jewelry, pearls, carpets, prayer rugs, traditional shoes of the inhabitants of this country, keychains and figurines in the form of an Aladdin lamp, silk, rosary beads, Arabic perfumes, hookahs, dried dates.

Banks:
Sat-Wed: 09:00-12:00

Some banks are also open in the afternoon.

Official opening hours, including shops, are from 10:00 to 15:00. However, most shops are open later. All shops, restaurants, etc. During the day they close four times for 30 minutes for prayer.

General information about the country

Located in the central part of the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia is home to the two holy cities of Islam - Mecca and Medina, where millions of Muslims from all over the world flock every year to perform the pilgrimage prescribed by the Koran - Hajj.

Most of the country is located in the desert and semi-desert zone. The climate is hot and arid. Water and food resources are limited. The population of Saudi Arabia in 2015 was about 29.74 million.

Since ancient times, the territory of the country was the periphery of the then existing states: the empires of Mesopotamia (Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian), Seleucid Syria, Sabaean and Nabataean kingdoms. Caravan roads from modern Yemen to the Mediterranean Sea passed through it. The local population, engaged in nomadic cattle breeding and oasis agriculture, made money from transit trade (participation in it, collection of tolls for travel and robbery).

After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the British government tried to establish a state in the Hejaz led by its ally Hussein. But he was expelled from the country by a group of Bedouin tribes - Islamic Wahhabi sectarians from Najd, led by the Saudi clan. In 1926, they proclaimed a new state - Saudi Arabia. With the help of the USSR, the new regime was able to keep the occupied territories under control.

City of Medina.

In the late 1940s, intensive oil development began, which by 1960 led to explosive growth in the income of the Saudi ruling clan. Enormous wealth allowed the rulers to improve the standard of living of the population and modernize the economy and army without changing anything in the archaic theocratic system of power. The ruling clan numbers several hundred people and enjoys most of the income from oil exports. Saudi Arabia leads the international oil trading cartel - OPEC.

The oil and other manufacturing industries employ hundreds of thousands of foreign workers who have no civil rights in the country. Its own population receives social benefits from the government. The rulers of Saudi Arabia consider themselves the protectors and bulwark of Islam; There is religious legislation in force in the country - Sharia. The country's laws are still based on extreme forms of Islamic law, limiting the rights of women and any people of other faiths, including Muslims of other persuasions than the ruling one. Slavery has been officially abolished only recently, and is actually still practiced at the beginning of the 21st century.

The Saudi Arabian army and security services are equipped with the most modern weapons. Wealth allows the country's authorities to encourage young people to study at the most advanced educational institutions in the West and to carry out innovations in the field of technology. Saudi investments are present in key sectors of the global economy. The country has undergone economic diversification; Non-oil-related industries and agriculture are developing. For example, potatoes from Saudi Arabia are exported to Russia and Ukraine.

Saudi Arabia's political position with a claim to leadership in the Arab and Muslim world and management of the oil market has led it to several conflicts. Saudi Arabia's competitor for leadership in the Arab world was and remains Egypt, with which a war was fought in Yemen in 1962-1967. In the Islamic world, Saudi Arabia is trying to oust Iran (which claims to expand its possessions in the Persian Gulf). In the eastern regions of the country, where most of Saudi oil is produced, the population - both Saudi and foreign workers - is mainly Shia, subject to religious oppression and inclined to support Iran.

Despite the formal alliance of the Saudi authorities with the United States, the country’s entire ideological system is aimed at conflict with the Western world, including military-terrorist jihad. The Saudi authorities finance and encourage the activities of extreme Islamist groups around the world, including terrorists (for example, Hamas). Private and public organizations in the country, not formally associated with the government, are going even further in the same direction.

The presence in the country of groups trying to overthrow the ruling regime leads to a constant danger of internal conflicts. Almost all of these groups are even more radical Islamists than the official religious authorities of the country.

Saudi Arabia's Anti-Israeli Position

Since the formation of the State of Israel, Saudi Arabia has been among the most implacable opponents of the Jewish state, generously funding anti-Israeli terror, anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic propaganda. Jews were banned from entering Saudi Arabia; official guests and diplomats were given copies of the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” (for more information about Saudi Arabia’s attitude towards Israel, see State of Israel. Israel and the Arab World).

In 1991, Saudi Arabia acted as one of the most active participants in the anti-Iraq coalition in the Gulf War. This has reinforced Saudi Arabia's traditional dependence on the United States, which has consistently influenced the country's rulers to take a more moderate stance towards Israel. This also met the vital interests of the Saudi regime, which feared destabilization in the Middle East and the actions of radical regimes and movements in the Arab world.

In the 2010s, against the backdrop of the general crisis in the Middle East (see below), opportunities for cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Israel emerged. Certain circles of the Saudi authorities realized that radical Islamists pose a danger to them, but Israel does not, and that they no longer have the opportunity to attack Israel. Israeli diplomacy is making efforts to establish unpublicized ties with the Saudi leadership.

Events of the beginning of the 21st century

Islamic terrorist organizations associated with the Al-Qaeda movement were increasingly less controlled by the royal government, turning into contenders for the seizure of power. The ruling circles are forced to fight them, as well as the Shiite terrorists supported by Iran. At the same time, the administration of US President Barack Obama has taken a course towards abandoning the alliance with Saudi Arabia and attempting to reorient itself towards Iran.

Saudi Arabia is trying to prevent the growth of shale oil production in the United States and other countries around the world. To do this, it is increasing the export of its own oil, causing a fall in prices on the world market. As a result of falling oil prices, the income of the Saudi royal court is declining. At the same time, the population is growing rapidly, which creates difficulties in maintaining the established level of well-being of the population.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whose population dates back to the second millennium BC (it was then that the indigenous Arab tribes occupied the entire Arabian Peninsula), is today a major member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. The state ranks second in the world in the production and export of oil and petroleum products. In addition, referring to Mecca and Medina - the main holy cities of Islam - Saudi Arabia is called the Land of the Two Holy Mosques. It is the rich deposits of black gold and the penetration of religion into many areas of life that distinguish the kingdom.

General information about Saudi Arabia

The state from where Islam spread occupies about 80% of the territory of the Arabian Peninsula. Most of the country is occupied by desert areas, foothills and mountains of medium height, so that less than 1% of the land is suitable for cultivation. The Arabian Peninsula is one of the few places on Earth where summer temperatures consistently exceed 50 degrees.

The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh. Other major cities are Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Em-Dammam, Al-Hofuf. There are 27 settlements with a population of more than 100 thousand people, four millionaire cities. The capital of Saudi Arabia is traditionally not only the administrative, but also the political, scientific, educational and business center of the country. Religious and cultural centers, shrines of the state - Mecca and Medina.

The official symbols are the Saudi flag, coat of arms and anthem. The flag is a green cloth with a sword, symbolizing the victories of the founder of the state, and an inscription - the Muslim symbol of faith (shahadah). Interestingly, the flag of Saudi Arabia is never flown at half-mast on occasions of mourning. Also, the image cannot be applied to clothing and souvenirs, since the Shahada is considered sacred for Muslims.

The king of Saudi Arabia who rules the state today is a direct descendant of the first king, Abdul Aziz. The power of Salman ibn Abdul-Aziz Al Saud from the Saudi dynasty is actually limited only by Sharia law. Important government decisions are made by the king after consultation with a group of religious leaders and other respected members of Saudi society.

Current demographic situation

The population of Saudi Arabia as of 2014 was 27.3 million people. About 30% of them are visitors, while the indigenous population is made up of Arab Saudis. After a brief stabilization of demographic indicators in 2000 at around 20 million people, the population of Saudi Arabia began to grow again. In general, the dynamics of the population of the kingdom do not show sharp jumps in population size.

Other relevant demographic indicators for Saudi Arabia are:

• birth rate - 18.8 per 1000 people;
• mortality - 3.3 per 1000 people;
• the total fertility rate is 2.2 children per woman;
• natural population growth - 15.1;
• migration population growth is 5.1 per 1000 people.

Density of inhabitants and pattern of settlement

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia covers an area of ​​2,149,610 square kilometers. In terms of territory, the state is 12th in the world and the first among the countries of the Arabian Peninsula. These data, as well as an approximate estimate of the population for 2015, make it possible to calculate the value of population density. The figure is 12 people per square kilometer.

Most of Saudi Arabia's population is concentrated in cities. Firstly, the relief and climate of the Arabian Peninsula make it possible to live comfortably only within the oases, around which the largest cities of the state were once formed. Secondly, a significant share of the urban population is due to the structure of the economy, where agriculture occupies an extremely small part, due to the tiny percentage of land suitable for growing plants and livestock.

The kingdom's urbanization rate is 82.3% and the corresponding rate is 2.4% per year. More than five million people live in the capital of Saudi Arabia. The total population of the remaining three million-dollar cities amounts to another six million Saudis. Thus, the four largest cities of the kingdom are home to eleven million people out of 31.5 (estimated for 2015), which is equal to approximately 35% of the country's inhabitants.

Religious affiliation of the population

Saudi Arabia, whose population is highly religious, is officially an Islamic state. Islam as the state religion is enshrined in the first article of the Basic Law of the state. 92.8% of Saudi Arabia's population is Muslim. By the way, tourists who do not profess Islam are prohibited from entering Mecca and Medina.

The second most followed religion in the kingdom is Christianity. The number of Christians is about 1.2 million, the majority of whom are foreigners. Quite often, cases of oppression of adherents of other religions (non-Muslims) are recorded in the country - Saudi Arabia is in sixth place among the states where the rights of Christians are most often oppressed.

Atheism in the kingdom is considered a grave sin and equated to terrorism, so it is impossible to estimate the exact number of non-believers in the country. The American Institute of Public Opinion, based on surveys, provides the following data: 5% of Saudis are convinced atheists, about 19% call themselves non-believers. Profile publications publish smaller figures, indicating only 0.7% in the “atheists and non-believers” column.

Sex and age structure of the population

Saudi Arabia, whose population is mostly of working age, is distinguished by a progressive (or growing) type of age-sex pyramid. This is better seen in a simplified diagram, where only three categories of citizens are distinguished: children and adolescents (up to 14 years of age), the working population (from 15 to 65 years old) and elderly people (over 65 years old).

There are about 22 million working-age people, accounting for 67.6% of the total Saudi population. There are 9.6 million children and adolescents in the state, or 29.4%; elderly people account for only 3%; this group makes up 0.9 million people. In general, the dependent part of citizens (children and pensioners supported by the adult population) amounts to 32.4% of Saudis. Such indicators do not create a particularly significant social burden on society.

Saudi Arabia, whose population traditionally oppresses the fair sex, has an almost equal gender structure of the population. The country's population is 55% male and 45% female.

Women's rights in Saudi Arabia

Women's rights are severely limited in a country like Saudi Arabia. The population is deeply religious, so they follow all religious norms. Thus, women are prohibited from driving, voting, using public transport unless accompanied by a husband or male relative, and communicating with men (except for relatives and husband). Representatives of the fair sex are required to wear long dark robes, and in some regions only their eyes are allowed to be left open.

The quality of education for women in Saudi Arabia is worse than for men. In addition, female students receive smaller stipends than their male counterparts. And in general, representatives of the fair sex do not have the right to study, work or travel outside the country unless their husband or closest male relative allows them to do so. Even for rape in Saudi Arabia, the woman can be punished, not the criminal. In this case, the victim is charged with “provocation to rape” or violation of the dress code.

Saudi Arabia, whose population gives the main prerogative to men, adheres to the principles of gender segregation. For example, houses have separate entrances for women and men, restaurants are divided into several zones (women's, men's and family), special events are held separately, and classes for students of different genders are held at different times so that boys and girls do not overlap .

The King of Saudi Arabia has repeatedly stated that women will soon be granted certain rights. For example, he said that he would allow women to drive cars as soon as Saudi society was ready for this step. Of course, we will have to wait quite a long time for equal rights for women and men in Saudi society (and this is simply contrary to Islamic norms), but there are already some concessions for the fair sex.

Literacy rate of the kingdom's inhabitants

Saudi Arabia, which has a fairly literate population (94.4% of citizens over 15 can read and write), has different literacy rates for women and men. Thus, 97% of men and 91% of women can read and write, which is associated with the traditional oppression of the rights of the fair sex. However, among young people (from 15 to 24 years old), literacy rates are approximately equal: in Saudi Arabia, 99.4% and 99.3% of literate young men and women, respectively.

Culture in Saudi Arabia

The culture of the kingdom is very closely connected with the state religion. Muslims are forbidden to consume pork and alcohol, so mass celebrations are practically excluded. In addition, cinemas and theaters are prohibited in the country, but such establishments exist in areas populated mainly by foreigners. Home video viewing is very common in Saudi Arabia, and Western films are largely uncensored.

State economic structure

The country has 25% of the world's oil reserves, which determines the basis of the economy of a state such as Saudi Arabia. Oil provides almost all export revenues (90%). In the last thirty years, industry, transport, and trade have also developed, but the share of agriculture in the economy is very small.

The currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal. The exchange rate of the monetary unit is pegged to the US dollar at a ratio of 3.75 to 1. In conclusion, information for tourists on how the currency of Saudi Arabia is converted in terms of the currencies of other countries: 100 rial is 1500 rubles, 25 euros, 26.6 dollars United States of America.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the richest oil country in the world and among the driest and hottest places on the planet. The country is the spiritual center of the Arab world and the Islamic religion. It was here that the Prophet Muhammad was born in the city of Medina in 540. In Saudi Arabia, everything begins and ends with religion. It is extremely strongly woven into the way of life and laws. The country professes one of the strictest branches of Islam, called Wahhabism.

Form of government. Saudi Arabia is a kingdom, and more precisely an absolute monarchy. All power in the state, including religious rule, is concentrated in the hands of the monarch, and in this case in the hands of the Saudi dynasties. As understood from the very meaning, the country bears the name of the Al-Saud dynasty.

Geographical location, boundaries and dimensions. Saudi Arabia is the largest Arab country in the world. It covers an area of ​​2,218,000 sq. km.
and is the 13th largest in the world. The country is located entirely in the tropics and occupies almost the entire area of ​​the Arabian Peninsula. It is located approximately between 32.09° and 16.22° north latitude and between 34.34° and 55.40° east longitude. The country borders Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. In addition, it is in close proximity to three other states - Bahrain, and. The country is connected to Bahrain through a bridge, and has access to the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.

Climate and water. Saudi Arabia falls entirely within the borders. The local climate is characterized by year-round high temperatures, constantly sunny weather and scanty precipitation. Temperatures in the capital Riyadh are very high. They vary between 21° in the coldest month of January and 40-45°C in the summer months from May to September. Precipitation reaches its maximum of 25 mm in April. Between June and the end of September there is usually not a drop of rain. Only about 100 mm of rain falls throughout the year, but locally in the country it does not rain for years. Saudi Arabia is very poor in water, and its vast territory does not have a single permanent river or lake. The main sources of fresh water are desalination of sea water and artesian wells.

Relief. Saudi Arabia has predominantly flat terrain in its eastern parts, but in the west it is mainly occupied by mountains of varying heights. The Hejaz and Asir mountains follow the coastline of the Red Sea, from which it is separated by a narrow, dry and hot plain. The highest peak in the country is called Jebel Sewda. It is located in the southwestern parts of Saudi Arabia in Mount Asir, 70 km. from the Red Sea, and rises to 3133 m in height. The country's coastline is moderately dissected towards both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. In the immediate vicinity of the coast there are many small islands with low sea level and deserted appearance.

Nature. The landscapes of Saudi Arabia are likened to those in Egypt, and. Almost the entire country is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts. The vast sand dunes seem endless. There are practically no forests. The only exception is oases, which are lush greenery in the desert near some random source. The mountains are also bare and barren. Even at high altitudes above sea level, vegetation is quite rare. This is no coincidence - Saudi Arabia is among the driest and hottest countries on the planet. The landscape of this Arab country is dominated by two large deserts - the Great Nefud in the north and the even harsher Rub al-Khali in the south. In some parts of the country, thanks to the desalination of sea water, large areas have been reclaimed from the desert and turned into cultivated land. Few creatures can survive in such conditions. The most well adapted are camels and various types of snakes, lizards and insects. They can survive without water for quite a long time, and this is the most important condition for maintaining integrity in this harsh environment. The constantly warm sea waters off the coast of Saudi Arabia are full of life. A little below the surface of the Red Sea there are beautiful ones. The waters are clean and clear. Thousands of species of fish and other marine life live here. Locally on the coasts (especially on the Red Sea), beautiful beaches with golden sand have formed.

Population and settlements. The population of Saudi Arabia exceeds 25.7 million people. Despite this, given its huge area, the country is very sparsely populated. Huge areas are deserted. Cities like the capital Riyadh have a large population accumulation. The city has almost 5,300,000 inhabitants, and the urban agglomeration is home to another 1,500,000 people. Other major cities are Jeddah, Mecca and Medina. All of them are located in the western part of the country, and Jeddah is located on the very coast. The population of Saudi Arabia is entirely Muslim. This is probably the most religious Arab country. It is no coincidence that the most important Muslim city, Mecca, is also located here. The official language in the country is Arabic. A characteristic feature of the local population is the lack of equality between men and women.

Economy. Saudi Arabia is a rich country that derives its economic prosperity entirely from its vast oil reserves. The country ranks first in the world in terms of deposits and production, and therefore Saudi Arabia can boast of a gross domestic product that in 2010 exceeds $24,000 per capita. Mostly men participate in the local economy, and women only by exception. There are a large number of foreigners working in the country (about 1/3 of all workers in Saudi Arabia). They are also male and predominantly from Islamic countries in the area. Literacy for men reaches almost 85%, but for women it is quite lower - about 71%.

Conservative society. Saudi Arabia is often criticized for its treatment of women. Their role in it is still extremely weak and unequal. They are not allowed to travel unless they are accompanied by a spouse or male relative. In addition, they cannot work without permission from their spouse. The most embarrassing fact is that women in Saudi Arabia cannot undergo medical operations without the permission of their spouse! It is prohibited to listen to music or smoke in the country. Practicing another religion is a crime, and homosexuality is punishable by death!

Tourism in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is not a very popular destination. The number of Western tourists is insignificant. Despite this, tourism is a significant sector of the local economy, especially during the Hajj - the largest religious worship in the world. It takes place between the 10th and 15th of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. A characteristic feature of Saudi Arabia is that, unlike most countries in the world, the country uses the Islamic calendar, whose year is 11 days shorter than the year of the Gregorian calendar. For this reason, Hajj is not associated with a specific date in the Western calendar. During the Hajj, the Muslim holy city of Mecca attracts millions of visitors. An important feature is the fact that Mecca, the holy places, also the second most important city for Muslims, Medina, are absolutely prohibited for Muslims!

The most popular seaside resort in Saudi Arabia is located on the shores of the Red Sea. It is called Jeddah and has many hotels. Those looking for beautiful and expansive beaches, however, may be left a little disappointed by Jeddah. The city does have a picturesque coastline, but lacks a beach strip. There are indeed beautiful beaches and excellent coral reefs for diving, but they are located in the north of Jeddah. There you will find yacht ports and even hotel complexes with their own beaches, from which you can get to the coral reefs without even leaving the hotel.

The biggest advantages of Saudi Arabia:

Saudi Arabia is a sunny country. No matter what part of the year you travel, sunny and warm weather is guaranteed. The underwater biodiversity in the coastal coral reefs is amazing, and the landscapes and architecture seem to come straight out of the fairy tale “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp”.

Biggest disadvantages:

The culture and way of life in Saudi Arabia is too different from anything a person can see in Western countries. Local Society
extremely conservative and for this reason a person risks getting himself into serious trouble with behavior that is considered completely normal and acceptable in America or other parts of the world. In addition, not everyone can adapt to extremely high temperatures, which can reach up to 50°C in the summer months!

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The name of the country comes from the Saudi dynasty.

Capital of Saudi Arabia. Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia Square. According to various estimates, it ranges from 1,750,000 to 2,240,000 km2.

Population of Saudi Arabia. 22,757 thousand people

Location of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is a state in the southwest, occupying the largest part. In the north it borders with, and, in the east - with, in the southeast - with and, in the south - with the Republic. In the east it is washed by the Persian Gulf, in the west by the Gulf of Aqaba.

Administrative divisions of Saudi Arabia. The state is divided into 13 administrative regions.

Form of government of Saudi Arabia. Absolute monarchy.

Head of State of Saudi Arabia. King.

Supreme legislative body of Saudi Arabia. The King and the Advisory Council appointed by the King.

Supreme executive body of Saudi Arabia. Council of Ministers.

Major cities in Saudi Arabia. Mecca, Jeddah, Medina, Ad-Dammam, At-Taif.

Official language of Saudi Arabia. Arab.

Religion of Saudi Arabia. The majority are Wahhabi Muslims.

Ethnic composition of Saudi Arabia. 90% are Arabs.

Currency of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabian rial = 100 halalam.

Sights of Saudi Arabia. B - Museum of Archeology and Ethnography, Royal Palace, Jamida Mosque; in Medina - the Prophet's Mosque, where the tomb of Muhammad, the tomb of the daughter of the prophet and Umar is located; c - Al-Haram mosque, a sacred well, the ancient sanctuary of the Kaaba, in one of the walls of which there is a black stone that fell from the sky.

Useful information for tourists

The diet in Arab countries is two meals a day: usually a very hearty breakfast and an equally hearty lunch.

The holiday dinner usually begins with watermelon or melon. Then they serve bintas-sakhn (sweet dough poured with melted butter and honey), lamb or boiled meat with spicy sauce. Lunch ends with broth. Fresh and pickled vegetables are consumed as a snack (mazza): olives, tomatoes, peppers, nuts, watermelon seeds, game, kubba, etc. An indispensable part of lunch is hel-ba (hot red pepper sauce with mustard and aromatic herbs).