| The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
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| *Country Area: 2,240,000 sq km |
| *Population (million) : 20.6 -1997- Nationals: 72.86% Foreigners: 27.14% |
| *Type of goverment: Monarchy- King |
| *Time: GMT +3 hours |
| *Currency: Saudi Riyal (SR) = 100 Halala Exchange (rate 1 USD$)= 3.75 SR |
| *Location: Middle East. South Westren Aisa. Occupying most of the Arabian peninsula. Bounded by Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait (N), the Arabian Gulf, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates (E), Yemen and Oman (S), Red Sea (W). |
| *Geography: Saudi Arabia has five major physical regions: the great Empty Quarter(rob al-khali), a sand desert occupying the entire south and the south east. The Najd, a vast barren plateau in the center. The Hijaz and Asir along the Red Sea, with mountains raising from an arid coastal plain; and the Eastern province, along the Arabian Gulf, site of the country's rich oil resources. |
| *Climate: Usually hot and dry, although the humidity along the coasts is high. |
| *History: Arabia has been inhabited for thousands of years by nomadic Semitic tribes. With the birth of Muhammad (AD 750) in Makka, Arabia was briefly the center of Islam but by the end of the 7th century the area was disunited. Modern Saudi Arabia owes it's existence to Ibn Saud. Beginning in 1902 he conquered the Najd, Al Hasa, and Hejaz regions, and in 1932 proclaimed himself king of united Saudi Arabia. Oil was discovered in 1936; commercial production began in 1938. Ibn Saud (AbdulAziz) died in 1953 and was succeed by his eldest son, Saud. In 1964 Saud was deposed by Faisal, who secured (1974) an agreement giving the Saudis a 60% majority ownership of foreigen oil concessions in thier country. In 1975 Faisal was assassinated; he was replaced by Khalid who inaugurated a program of industrialization and social welfare. In the conflict with Israel, Saudi Arabia has generally supported the Arab states, although as a friend of the US it is a somewhat moderating force. It's moderating influence has also been felt in the organization of Petroleum Exporting countries (OPEC), in which it has acted to stabilize petroleum prices. Khaled died in 1982 and was succeed as king by Fahd. King Fahd is the king of the country untill now, he has been ruling the kingdom for 20 years. |
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| *Major Cities: Riyadh(capital), Jeddah, Dammam, Makkah, Madina. |
| *Pictures of Saudi Arabia* |
| *Facts: 1_52% of the Saudi population is under the age of 16. 2_Males are more than females. 3_Women don't drive. (How backward!) 4_Riyadh's airport is world's largest. 5_Saudi Arabia welcomes more than 2 millions Muslim pilgrims every year. |
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| Al-Faisaleyya tower in Riyadh |
| Riyadh's airport |
| Tradional home in Dariyyah, the home city of King Abdul-Aziz, the founder of the modern Saudi Arabia. |
| The gate of Holy Makkah |
| City of Jeddah at night |
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| The mosque of Prophet Muhammad in the city of Madinah, Muhammad-peace be upon him- burried there |
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| *The Flag: |
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