Saudi Arabia is officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and it's located in the Middle East. At 2.15 million square kilometers of land size, it's by definition the largest country within Arabia. The nation's more than 38 million people are mostly of Arab descent. The capital and largest city in Saudi Arabia is called Riyadh, a city located in the middle of the country. Mecca, Medina, Dammam, and Jeddah are all other important cities of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is famous for its gigantic oil reserves that have formed the bedrock of its economy and global effects.
History:
The history of Saudi Arabia is as old as mankind in the history of Saudi Arabia, the Arabian Peninsula's historical record stretches back even further. Islam first appeared on the Arabian Peninsula in the seventh century, when the prophet Muhammad started to propagate it from his native Mecca. Muslim dynasties ranging from the Rashidun period to those who have ruled the Arabian Peninsula in the subsequent centuries also have included the Ummayad, Abbasid, and Ottoman empires. The first Saudi state was established in the 18th century as a result of an agreement between Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, a reformer of Islam, and a totalitarian leader whose name was Muhammad bin Saud. Later, the Ottoman Empire overthrew the Saudi state, but Abdulaziz Al Saud eventually reconstituted the state at the beginning of the 20th century after uniting under his rule all the tribes and territories on the Arabian Peninsula. In 1932, Saudi Arabia became a modern state, with its first monarch Abdulaziz Al Saud. The House of Saud has reigned supreme in Saudi Arabia for the last century.
Culture:
Islamic traditions and rituals occupy an important place in Saudi Arabian culture; Islam is deeply rooted there. Saudi culture, meanwhile, tends to emphasize hospitality, such as how all visitors are treated with the utmost kindness and respect. The clan has an important position in both social and economic lives, and family values are extremely important to Saudi tradition. Men and women in public life generally keep to their own company. Men must put on thobe, a traditional long white robe, for example; whereas women are obliged to wear a headscarf and don abaya, the long black gown. Saudi Arabia is also famous for its traditional handicrafts, including jewelry making, weaving, and pottery.
Language:
Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia, the native language of the great majority of the country's inhabitants. English is also commonly spoken in Saudi Arabia as well as other languages such as Urdu, Hindi, and Tagalog. In business and education, English has long been a major language in Saudi Arabia, often serving as a common means of communication among speakers of different dialects.
Geography:
The vast desert of the Arabian Desert covers most of central and western Saudi Arabia, and in addition, there lies Rub' al Khali, also known as the Empty Quarter because it is considered one of the largest deserts of sand in the world. Much of Saudi Arabia is desert, yet she also has many oases offering fertile land for farming and habitation of human beings. Oil in particular, omnipresent throughout the country, has been a major factor in their economy and international influence. Looking-glass coral reefs along the Red Sea coast primarily attract snorkellers and scuba divers.
Official Name | Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
Capital | Riyadh |
Population | Approximately 38.4 million |
Area | 2,149,690 km2 |
Currency | Saudi riyal (SAR) |
Religion | Islam |
Language | Arabic |
Major Cities | Jeddah, Mecca, Medina |
The Economy:
The oil industry constitutes a significant portion of both GDP and government revenue in Saudi Arabia, due to which the country's economy is heavily dependent on it. Such large oil reserves, indeed, have made it merely the world's second-largest producer and exporter of petroleum. Most recently Saudi Arabia has been seeking to diminish its reliance on this single industry and has put forward its Vision 2030 initiative, aiming not only to reduce dependence upon oil (and generate other production sectors such as tourism or entertainment) but actively transform itself. By investing in a variety of domestic and international projects, the Public Investment Fund is playing a critical role in this transformation.
Vision 2030 also calls for developing so-called non-oil industrial sectors such as mining, manufacturing, logistics, and so on. The country is investing in mega-projects like the NEOM mega-city which are meant to function as nodes for innovation and sustainability. Saudi Arabia is also working to revitalize its tourism industry by building historical and cultural facilities and new entertainment that excites or relaxes the customer.
Government and Politics:
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy the King is both head of state and head of government. The country uses Islamic legal principles. The king is assisted by a council of ministers made up of members from the royal family and government appointees. The Consultative Assembly or Shura Council is an advisory body to advises the King and Council of Ministers. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is one of the driving forces behind many recent reforms in the country's change to modernize both its economy and society.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a country full of strong central power and the king holds great authority. But it is Corruption has dogged the country for many years. Saudi Arabia has initiated many anti-corruption measures. As well as this, they are working on ways through which the bureaucratic and public sectors can be made more efficient.
Education:
King Fahd University and other research institutes bear witness to this fact. The government endeavors to improve the quality of education and widen the spread of higher education opportunities for men and women alike. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is just one example of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to further education and research.
In Saudi Arabia, the education system is classified into three levels: Primary, Intermediate, and Secondary education stages. Higher education institutions are universities, colleges, and technical colleges. Education is free and universal for all citizens, and there is indeed, a strong emphasis on fields relating to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Moreover, Saudi Arabia has been working to bring its education up to international standards by adopting them and by joint ventures with foreign universities.
Healthcare:
In Saudi Arabia, there exists a sound healthcare system that offers free medical treatment to all citizens. The government is busy investing in building many more and modernizing the existing hospitals right across Saudi Arabia. It mainly has the task of overseeing the entire health care system and ensuring that it meets international standards The trend of the last few years has been to concentrate in rural areas on improving medical services and to make more of certain specialized treatments available.
The kingdom’s system consists of hospitals, clinics, and primary health centers. The infant mortality rate has declined and the life expectancy of people in the country has increased to one of the highest in the world. At the same time, Saudi Arabia has put more emphasis on medical research and innovation in an attempt to combat prevalent health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Meanwhile, the government is encouraging healthy lifestyles and preventive medical care through public health campaigns and projects.
Transportation:
The kingdom has a modern infrastructure of transportation, with a widespread network of roads and highways that make it easy to get around anywhere in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has several international airports. Of those, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh are the busiest. The Saudi Railways Organization operates passenger and freight trains, linking main cities with industrial centers. In addition, the government is investing in developing public transportation systems: the Riyadh Metro and Jeddah Metro.
The country's strategic location at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa makes it a crucial link for trade and logistics. Saudi Arabia is investing in the expansion of its ports and in the construction of new logistics centers to improve connectivity and expedite commercial transactions.
Environment and Sustainability:
Moreover, the government is promoting the use of electric vehicles and sustainable transportation solutions as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and enhance air quality. Environment and Sustainability Saudi Arabia still faces many environmental challenges, including water scarcity, desertification, and air pollution. The government has launched a variety of initiatives to meet these problems and promote sustainability. The Saudi Green Initiative aims to increase the level of green cover in the country, reduce carbon emissions, and use more renewable sources of energy. The country is also investing in desalination plants to make sure there is a steady supply of drinking water, and it is taking steps to protect the salt marsh and mangrove ecosystems that line its coasts.
The initiative, Vision 2030, has a high profile in environmental sustainability. For example, increasing the proportion of renewable energy in the energy mix from which Saudi Arabia so heavily depends, is one goal. Another goal is to reduce fossil fuel consumption. Also, the country is aggressively investing in solar and wind energy projects. In addition, it is exploring alternative technologies like hydrogen fuel cells or gas cleanup and conversion processes for coal-fired power stations to minimize their environmental impact. Saudi Arabia is also working hard to put an end to its habit of using landfills instead of waste and recycling.
FAQs
Q1: How is the climate of Saudi Arabia?
The climate in Saudi Arabia is generally hot and dry, with little rainfall and high temperatures throughout much of the year.
Q2: What is the capital of Saudi Arabia?
Riyadh is the capital city of Saudi Arabia.
Q3: What is the currency of Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia’s currency is the Saudi riyal (SAR).
Q4: Which is the largest city of Saudi Arabia?
Riyadh is the largest city in Saudi Arabia.
Last Updated on: January 21, 2025