SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIA

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest state on the Arabian Peninsula. The capital is Riyadh. The political system is an absolute monarchy. The power of the king is limited only by the norms of Sharia, all laws are based on Islamic law. The official language is Arabic.
The Arabian Peninsula is the historical homeland of the Arabs. The first settlements of Arab tribes appeared here in the II millennium BC. e. And in 632 A.D. the first state was founded – the Arab Caliphate, which covered almost the entire territory of the peninsula. In the Middle Ages, Arabia was ruled by the Ottoman Empire until the emergence of the Saudi state in the middle of the 18th century.

Population

The population of Saudi Arabia is 24.2 million people, about a third of them are immigrants. 81% of the population lives in several large cities along the coast. Most of the country – the territory of the desert and semi-desert – is inhabited by nomadic Bedouin tribes.
All life in Saudi Arabia is firmly connected with Islam, and the inhabitants of the country adhere to the national traditions and canons of Islam in their clothes, avoiding excessive frankness. All citizens receive free education, including higher education.

Economy

Saudi Arabia possesses colossal oil reserves (24% of all proven oil reserves on Earth) and is the world leader in its production and export. The country’s economy is based on the oil industry, which accounts for 45% of GDP, as well as on the production of chemical compounds such as polymers, alcohols, ethers, medicines and fertilizers. Buyers – China, Japan, India, USA. The main imports are industrial equipment, foodstuffs, chemical products, automobiles, and textiles. The main suppliers are China, USA, Germany.
Recently, the country has embarked on a policy of diversifying its oil export revenues. The transformation program for the next decade is called Vision 2030, and an important role in it is assigned to the creation of the entertainment industry and the promotion of international tourism. The plans are already being implemented: since 2019, the kingdom has been issuing tourist visas for travelers, and infrastructure is being actively built.
Saudi Arabia is a member of international organizations: UN, Arab League, WTO, OPEC, etc.

Transport

The most common mode of transport in Saudi Arabia is private cars and taxis. There is an extensive network of intercity bus routes. More than 300 thousand km of roads have been built for road communication in the country, about half of them are paved. About 1.5 thousand kilometers of railways have been laid, 6 international and two hundred local airports are operating.

Interesting

The megacities of Mecca and Medina are the birthplace and sacred cities of Islam. About 3 million pilgrims from all over the world visit them annually.
The country strictly prohibits the use and trafficking of alcohol and drugs, as well as gambling.
The climate of Saudi Arabia is hot, arid desert.
National currency – Saudi riyal (SAR)
GMT: +3 hours.