Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia (orthographic projection)

Saudi Arabia - Location Map (2013) - SAU - UNOCHA.svg

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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله
Anthem: Aash Al Maleek
Capital and largest city	Riyadh
Official languages	Arabic
Government	Unitary absolute monarchy
• King	Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
• Crown Prince	Mohammed bin Salman
Area
• Total	2,149,690 km2 (830,000 sq mi) (12th)
Population
• 2020 estimate	34,813,871
• Density	15/km2 (38.8/sq mi)
Currency	Saudi riyal (SAR)
Time zone	UTC+3 (AST)
Driving side	right
Calling code	+966
ISO 3166 code	[[ISO 3166-2:SA |SA ]]
Internet TLD	.sa

Saudi Arabia (Arabic: المملكة العربية السعودية , al-Mamlakah al-‘Arabīyah as-Su‘ūdīyah) is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Jordan and Iraq to the north, Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates to the east, Oman to the southeast, and Yemen to the south; it is separated from Israel and Egypt by the Gulf of Aqaba. Saudi Arabia is the only nation with both a Red Sea coast and a Persian Gulf coast, and most of its terrain consists of arid desert, lowland, steppe, and mountains.

History

The history of Saudi Arabia dates back to the earliest traces of human activity in the region, with some of the oldest evidence of human habitation in the world found in the Arabian Peninsula. The modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 by Ibn Saud, who united the four regions into a single state through a series of conquests beginning in 1902 with the capture of Riyadh, the ancestral home of his family, the House of Saud.

Government and Politics

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, and its legal system is based on Islamic law (Sharia). The King of Saudi Arabia is both the head of state and government, and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is the heir apparent. The country does not have a legislature, but the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia serves as an advisory body.

Economy

Saudi Arabia has the world's second-largest oil reserves and is the largest exporter of petroleum. The economy is heavily dependent on oil, which accounts for the majority of the country's revenue. The government has been working to diversify the economy through its Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to reduce the country's dependence on oil and develop other sectors such as tourism, entertainment, and technology.

Geography

Saudi Arabia's geography is dominated by the Arabian Desert, which includes the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter), the largest contiguous sand desert in the world. The country also features mountain ranges such as the Asir Mountains and the Hejaz Mountains, as well as coastal plains along the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.

Demographics

The population of Saudi Arabia is approximately 34.8 million, with a significant portion being expatriates. The official language is Arabic, and the predominant religion is Islam, with the country being the birthplace of Islam and home to its two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina.

Culture

Saudi Arabian culture is deeply rooted in Islamic traditions, and the country follows a strict interpretation of Sunni Islam known as Wahhabism. The cultural landscape is characterized by its religious practices, traditional music, dance, and cuisine. The country has also been making efforts to modernize and open up its cultural scene, including the introduction of cinemas and the hosting of international events.

Education

Education in Saudi Arabia is free at all levels and is heavily influenced by Islamic teachings. The country has numerous universities and colleges, with King Saud University and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology being among the most prominent.

Health

The healthcare system in Saudi Arabia is primarily funded by the government and provides free medical services to citizens. The country has been investing in healthcare infrastructure and services to improve the quality of care and address public health challenges.

See also

• Geography of Saudi Arabia
• Economy of Saudi Arabia
• Culture of Saudi Arabia
• History of Saudi Arabia
• Politics of Saudi Arabia