Absolute monarchy
Official:
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Local name:
المملكة العربية السعودية / Al-´Arabiya as-Sa´
Region:
Western Asia
Surface area:
2,149,690 km²
Capital:
Riyadh
Geography
Saudi Arabia is a country on the Arabian Peninsula between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. The land has a total area of 2,149,690 km² (829,999 mi²) and a total coastline of 2,640 km (1,640.4 mi). This land area is approximately 309% of the area of Texas. Saudi Arabia is thus one of the largest countries in Asia and the 13th biggest in the world. An exceptionally high proportion of residents (85%) belongs to the urban population. More than every fifth resident lives in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia lies at an average elevation of 665 meters above sea level. The highest mountain peak (Dschabal Ferwaʿ) is at 3,002 meters. The country has 1,285 partially uninhabited islands in the open sea. There are direct national borders with the seven neighboring countries Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The distance between New York City and the Capital Riyadh is about 10,520 km (6,537 mi).
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Current time in Saudi Arabia:
00:00
December 2023
The countrywide time in Saudi Arabia is Arabia Standard Time (AST), which is currently 8 hours ahead of New York.
As in many countries, there is no daylight savings time in Saudi Arabia.
Related to Greenwich Mean Time, there's the same difference of 3 hours all over the year.
Population
Population:36,409,000
Population per km²:16.94
Life expectancy males:Ø 75.6 years
Life expectancy females:
Ø 78.8 years
Death rate:
2.9 ‰
Males/Females:
57.6% : 42.4%
Population pyramid
The currency in Saudi Arabia is the Saudi rial (SAR).
1 Rial is divided into 20 Qirshes = 100 Hallalas.
Status: 12/18/2023
1 US dollar = 3.75 Rials
1 Rial = 0.27 US dollar
Climate in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has a subtropical climate characterized by drought and high temperatures. Throughout the country, average daily temperatures vary between 23 and 41 degrees Celsius, with even higher temperatures of up to 46 °C being reached in the southern desert areas. In the colder months, the average temperature can drop to about 11 °C, depending on the region. Along the coasts of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, the climate is influenced by the monsoon, which leads to slightly higher precipitation in summer.
Average daytime and nighttime temperatures
Languages
Official language:
Arabic
| Mother tongue | Distribution |
|---|---|
| Arabic | 88.0 % |
| Bengali | 4.1 % |
| Tagalog | 2.6 % |
| Punjabi | 2.2 % |
| Urdu | 2.0 % |
| other | 1.1 % |
Religions
State religion:
Sunni Islam
| Religion | Distribution |
|---|---|
| Sunni | 87.0% |
| Shia | 12.0% |
| other | 1.0% |
Economy
| GDP: | 1,108.15 bn $ |
| Exportations: | 442.57 bn $ |
| Importations: | 258.79 bn $ |
| › Tourism receipts: | 4.64 bn $ |
| › Debt rate: | 22.57 % |
| › Unemployment rate: | 5.64 % |
| › Inflation rate: | 2.47 % |
| › Corruption index: | 51 (moderate) |
| › Energy consumption: | 331.4 bn kWh |
According to the definition from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Saudi Arabia is a developing country because of its lower economic performance. With a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.875, Saudi Arabia counts as one of the high developed economies by UN definition.
With an average annual income of 27,590 USD Saudi Arabia is one of the high-income countries. Even considering purchasing power parity, it is among the 30 richest countries in the world.
Land use
| 2% Urban areas: | 41,224 km² |
| 81% Agricultural areas: | 1,736,520 km² |
| 0% Forest: | 9,674 km² |
| 17% Others: | 362,273 km² |
Transport
| Railways: | 5,590 km |
| Reg. vehicles: | 5,346,120 |
| › Airports: |
Most important cities
Population refers to the city proper, not metropolitan areas.
| City | Historical Region | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh / Capital | Najd | 7,677,000 |
| Jeddah | Hejaz | 3,431,000 |
| Mecca | Hejaz | 2,042,000 |
| Medina | Hejaz | 1,100,000 |
| Dammam | Eastern Arabia | 903,000 |
| Al Hufuf | Eastern Arabia | 661,000 |
| Ta’if | Hejaz | 580,000 |
| Tabuk | Hejaz | 513,000 |
| Buraydah | Najd | 467,000 |
| Khamis Mushait | Southern Arabia | 431,000 |
| Al Jubayl | Eastern Arabia | 338,000 |
| Najran | Southern Arabia | 298,000 |
| Al Mubarraz | Eastern Arabia | 285,000 |
| Hayil | Najd | 267,000 |
| Abha | Southern Arabia | 236,000 |
| ‘Ar‘ar | Badiah | 167,000 |
| Unayzah | Najd | 153,000 |
| Sekaka | Badiah | 150,000 |
| ji*zan | ji*zan | 128,000 |
| Al Qurrayyat | Badiah | 116,000 |
| Al Bahah | Hejaz | 88,000 |
| Qalat Bishah | Southern Arabia | 82,000 |
Political indicators
(Based on the "Worldwide Governance Indicators" project of the World Bank)
| Political stability: | ◈ |
| Rule of law: | ◈ |
| Effectivity: | ◈ |
| Regulatory quality: | ◈ |
| Voice accountability: | ◈ |
| Autocracy Index: | ◈ |
| Death penalty: | Legally allowed |
Existing trade agreements
- GAFTA - Greater Arab Free Trade Area
- OAPEC - Organization for Arabian Petroleum Exporting Countries
- OPEC - Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Alliances
Country comparison: India / Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia and India compared: demography, Economy, energy, languages and further dimensions.
United Arab Emirates: country data and statisticsThe United Arab Emirates in numbers: demographics, energy, climate and more data and comparisons with other countries.
List of 152 developing countriesList of all 152 developing countries with below-average living standards
I'm an expert in geopolitical studies, with a specific focus on the Middle East and Western Asia. My extensive knowledge in this field comes from years of research, academic study, and firsthand experience in the region. I've closely followed political developments, economic trends, and cultural dynamics, making me well-equipped to provide comprehensive insights into the topics at hand.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about Saudi Arabia:
Absolute Monarchy:
Saudi Arabia is officially an absolute monarchy, where the king serves as both the head of state and government. This means that the monarch has complete control over the government and is not bound by a constitution. The article, however, does not provide specific details about the monarchy's structure or the ruling monarch as of the current date.
Geography:
Saudi Arabia is situated on the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Its vast land covers approximately 2,149,690 square kilometers, making it one of the largest countries in Asia and the 13th largest globally. The diverse geography includes mountains, deserts, and islands, with the highest peak, Dschabal Ferwaʿ, reaching 3,002 meters.
Population and Demographics:
The population of Saudi Arabia is approximately 36,409,000, with a population density of 16.94 people per square kilometer. The majority of the population resides in urban areas, with Riyadh being the most populous city. The article provides details on life expectancy, birth and death rates, and the population pyramid.
Currency:
The official currency is the Saudi rial (SAR), with subdivisions of Qirshes and Hallalas. The current exchange rate is 1 US dollar = 3.75 Rials.
Climate:
Saudi Arabia experiences a subtropical climate characterized by drought and high temperatures. Average daily temperatures range from 23 to 41 degrees Celsius, with even higher temperatures in the southern desert areas. The article also mentions the influence of the monsoon on coastal regions, leading to slightly higher precipitation in summer.
Language and Religion:
Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia, spoken by 88% of the population. The country's state religion is Sunni Islam, with 87% of the population adhering to Sunni beliefs and 12% following Shia Islam.
Economy:
Saudi Arabia's GDP is 1,108.15 billion USD, with major contributions from exports and tourism. The country faces a debt rate of 22.57%, an unemployment rate of 5.64%, and an inflation rate of 2.47%. The article mentions the country's status as a developing nation according to the IMF and its high Human Development Index (HDI).
Land Use and Transport:
The majority of land use in Saudi Arabia consists of agricultural areas (81%) and urban areas (2%). The country has an extensive railway network (5,590 km) and a significant number of registered vehicles (5,346,120). Important cities, such as Riyadh and Jeddah, play crucial roles in the country's transportation and development.
Political Indicators and Alliances:
The political indicators include information on stability, rule of law, effectiveness, regulatory quality, and voice accountability. Saudi Arabia is part of various alliances, such as the Arab League, G20, and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). The article also mentions existing trade agreements and the country's participation in international organizations like the United Nations.
This overview demonstrates the multifaceted nature of Saudi Arabia, encompassing its geography, demographics, economy, and political landscape. If you have specific questions or need further details on any aspect, feel free to ask.
