Saudi Arabia
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225210071
2008-07-12T13:58:15Z
Blackangel25
5039225
/* Climate */
{{pp-semi-protected|small=yes}}
:''"KSA" redirects here. For other uses of the term, please see [[KSA (disambiguation)]]''.
{{Infobox Country
|conventional_long_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;">Kingdom of Saudi Arabia</span>
|native_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;">{{lang|ar|المملكة العربية السعودية }}<br/>''al-Mamlaka al-‘Arabiyya as-Su’ūdiyya''</span>
|common_name = Saudi Arabia
|image_flag = Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg
|image_coat = Coat of arms of Saudi Arabia.svg
|image_map = LocationSaudiArabia.png
|national_motto = "There is no god but God; Muhammad is His messenger" (the [[Kalima]])
|national_anthem = "[[Aash Al Maleek]]"<small><br/>"Long live the King"</small>
|official_languages = [[Arabic language|Arabic]]
|demonym = Saudi, Saudi Arabian
|official_religion = [[Islam]]
|capital = [[Riyadh]]
|latd=24 |latm=39 |latNS=N |longd=46 |longm=46 |longEW=E
|largest_city = capital
|government_type = [[Absolute monarchy]]
|leader_title1 = [[List of kings of Saudi Arabia|King]]
|leader_name1 = [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz]]
|leader_title2 = [[crown prince|Crown Prince]]
|leader_name2 = [[Sultan, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia|Sultan bin Abdul Aziz]]
|sovereignty_type = [[History of Saudi Arabia|Establishment]]
|established_event1 = Kingdom declared
|established_date1 = [[January 8]], [[1926]]
|established_event2 = Recognized
|established_date2 = [[May 20]], [[1927]]
|established_event3 = Unified
|established_date3 = [[September 23]], [[1932]]
|area_rank = 14th
|area_magnitude = 1 E12
|area_km2 = 2,149,690
|area_sq_mi = 829,996 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|percent_water = negligible
|population_estimate = 27,601,038<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sa.html CIA - The World Factbook - Saudi Arabia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|population_estimate_year = 2007
|population_estimate_rank = 46th
|population_census =
|population_census_year =
|population_density_km2 = 11
|population_density_sq_mi = 29 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank = 205th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2007
|GDP_PPP = $446 billion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 27th
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $21,200
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 41st
|HDI_year = 2004
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.812
|HDI_rank = 61
|HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font>
|currency = [[Saudi riyal|Riyal]]
|currency_code = SAR
|country_code = SAU
|time_zone = AST
|utc_offset = +3
|time_zone_DST = (not observed)
|utc_offset_DST = +3
|cctld = [[.sa]]
|calling_code = 966
|footnote1 = Population estimate includes 5,576,076 non-nationals.
}}
The '''Kingdom of Saudi Arabia''' or '''KSA''' ({{lang-ar|'''المملكة العربية السعودية'''}}, ''{{Unicode|al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya''}}) is the largest country of the [[Arabian Peninsula]]. It is bordered by [[Jordan]] on the northwest, [[Iraq]] on the north and northeast, [[Kuwait]], [[Qatar]], [[Bahrain]], and the [[United Arab Emirates]] on the east, [[Oman]] on the southeast, and [[Yemen]] on the south. The [[Persian Gulf]] lies to the northeast and the [[Red Sea]] to its west. It has an estimated population of 27.6 million, and its size is approximately 2,150,000 square km (830,000 square miles).
The Kingdom is sometimes called "The Land of The Two Holy Mosques" in reference to [[Mecca]] and [[Medina]], the two holiest places in [[Islam]]. In English, it is most commonly referred to as '''Saudi Arabia''' (pronounced {{IPA|/ˈsɒdɪ/}} or {{IPA|/ˈsaʊdɪ əˈɹeɪbɪə/}}). The Kingdom was founded by Abdul-Aziz bin Saud, whose efforts began in 1902 when he captured the Al-Saud’s ancestral home of [[Riyadh]], and culminated in 1932 with the proclamation, and recognition of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is the world's leading [[Petroleum#Export|petroleum exporter]] and [[petroleum]] exports fuel the [[Economy of Saudi Arabia|Saudi economy]].<ref>[http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/country/country_energy_data.cfm?fips=SA U.S. Energy Information Administration - Saudi Arabia Country Energy Profile]</ref> Oil accounts for more than 90 percent of exports and nearly 75 percent of government revenues, facilitating the creation of a [[welfare state]],<ref>[http://saudinf.com/main/h814.htm Social Services 2]</ref><ref>[http://www.mofa.gov.sa/Detail.asp?InSectionID=1516&InNewsItemID=1746 Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia-London: The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia - A Welfare State]</ref> which the government has found difficult to fund during periods of low [[price of petroleum|oil price]]s.<ref>[http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=164957&Sn=BUSI&IssueID=29274 Gulf Daily News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Human rights]] groups such as [[Amnesty International]] and [[Human Rights Watch]] have repeatedly expressed concern about the state of [[human rights in Saudi Arabia]], although these concerns have been dismissed by the Saudi government.
== History ==
{{main|History of Saudi Arabia}}
[[Image:Azizfdr.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The founder of modern Saudi Arabia, [[Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia|King Abdul Aziz]], converses with U.S. President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Franklin Delano Roosevelt]] on board a ship returning from the [[Yalta Conference]] in 1945]]
Although the region in which the country stands today has an [[Pre-Islamic Arabia|ancient history]], the emergence of the Saudi dynasty began in central Arabia in 1744. That year, [[Muhammad ibn Saud]], the ruler of the town of [[Diriyah|Ad-Dir'iyyah]] near [[Riyadh]], joined forces with a cleric, [[Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab]], to create a new political entity. This alliance formed in the 18th century remains the basis of Saudi Arabian dynastic rule today. Over the next 150 years, the fortunes of the Saud family rose and fell several times as Saudi rulers contended with [[Egypt]], the [[Ottoman Empire]], and other Arabian families for control on the peninsula (see [[First Saudi State]] and [[Second Saudi State]]). The third and current Saudi state was founded in the early 20th century by King [[Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia|Abdul Aziz Al-Saud]] (known internationally as ''Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud'').
In 1902 at the age of only 22, Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud re-captured [[Riyadh]], the Al-Saud dynasty's ancestral capital, from the rival [[Al Rashid]] family. Continuing his conquests, Abdul Aziz subdued [[Al-Hasa]], [[Qatif|Al-Qatif]], the rest of [[Nejd]], and [[Hejaz]] between 1913 and 1926. On [[8 January]] [[1926]] Abdul Aziz bin Saud became the King of Hejaz. On [[29 January]] [[1927]] he took the title King of Nejd (his previous Nejdi title was Sultan). By the [[Treaty of Jeddah]], signed on [[20 May]] [[1927]], the [[United Kingdom]] recognized the independence of Abdul Aziz's realm, then known as the '''Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz'''. In 1932, the principal regions of Al-Hasa, Qatif, Nejd and Hejaz were unified to form the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Abdul Aziz's military and political successes were not mirrored economically until vast reserves of [[Petroleum|oil]] were discovered in March 1938. Development programmes, which were delayed due to the onset of the [[World War II|Second World War]] in 1939, began in earnest in 1946 and by 1949 production was in full swing. Oil has provided Saudi Arabia with economic prosperity and a great deal of leverage in the international community.
Prior to his death in 1953 Abdul Aziz, aware of the difficulties facing other regional absolute rulers reliant on extended family networks, attempted to regulate the succession.
Saud succeeded to the throne on his father's death in 1953. However, by the early 1960s the Kingdom was in jeopardy due to Saud's economic mismanagement and failure to deal effectively with a regional challenge from [[President of Egypt|Egyptian president]] [[Gamal Abdel Nasser]]. As a consequence Saud was deposed in favour of Faisal in 1964.
Intra-family rivalry was one of the factors that led to the assassination of Faisal by his nephew, [[Faisal bin Musa'id|Prince Faisal bin Musa'id]], in 1975. He was succeeded by [[Khalid of Saudi Arabia|King Khalid]] until 1982 and then by [[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|King Fahd]]. When Fahd died in 2005, his half-brother [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|Abdullah]] ascended to the throne.
== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of Saudi Arabia}}
[[Image:Saudi Arabia map.png|thumb|Map of Saudi Arabia]]
The kingdom occupies about 80 percent of the [[Arabian Peninsula]]. In 2000 Saudi Arabia and Yemen signed an agreement to settle their long-running border dispute.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/788153.stm Yemen, Saudi Arabia sign border deal], ''BBC News'', [[June 12]], [[2000]]. Accessed [[June 25]], [[2008]].</ref> A significant length of the country's southern borders with the [[United Arab Emirates]], and [[Oman]], are not precisely defined or marked, so the exact size of the country remains unknown. The Saudi government's estimate is 2,217,949 km² (856,356 [[square mile|miles²]]). Other reputable estimates vary between 1,960,582 km²<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2147rank.html CIA World Factbook - Rank Order: Area]</ref> (756,934 mi²) and 2,240,000 km² (864,869 mi²). The kingdom is commonly listed as the world's 14th largest state.
Saudi Arabia's geography is varied. From the western coastal region ([[Tihamah]]), the land rises from sea level to a peninsula-long mountain range (Jabal al-[[Hejaz]]) beyond which lies the plateau of [[Nejd]] in the center. The southwestern [['Asir]] region has mountains as high as 3,000 m (9,840 ft) and is known for having the greenest and freshest climate in all of the country, one that attracts many Saudis to resorts such as [[Abha]] in the summer months. The east is primarily rocky or sandy lowland continuing to the shores of the [[Persian Gulf]]. The geographically hostile [[Rub' al Khali]] ("Empty Quarter") desert along the country's imprecisely defined southern borders contains almost no life.
Mostly uninhabited, much of the nation's landmass consists of [[desert]] and [[semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] regions, with a dwindling traditional [[Bedouin]] population. In these parts of the country, vegetation is limited to weeds, [[xerophyte|xerophytic]] herbs and shrubs. Less than two percent of the kingdom's total area is [[arable land]]. Population centers are mainly located along the eastern and western coasts and densely populated interior oases such as [[Hofuf]] and [[Buraydah]]. In some extended areas, primarily the Rub' al-Khali and the [[Arabian Desert]], there is no population whatsoever, although the petroleum industry is constructing a few planned communities there. Saudi Arabia has no permanent year-round rivers or lakes; however, its coastline extends for 2640 km (1640 miles) and, on the [[Red Sea]] side, offers world-class coral reefs, including those in the [[Gulf of Aqaba]].
Native animals include the [[ibex]], [[wildcat]]s, [[baboon]]s, [[gray wolf|wolves]], and [[hyena]]s in the mountainous highlands. Small birds are found in the [[oasis|oases]]. The coastal area on the Red Sea with its [[coral reef]]s has a rich [[marine biology|marine life]].
===Climate ===
Extreme heat and aridity are characteristic of most of Saudi Arabia. It is one of the few places in the world where summer temperatures above 50 °[[Celsius|C]] (122 °[[Fahrenheit|F]]) have been recorded{{Fact|date=June 2007}}, 51.7 °C (124 °F) being the highest ever recorded temperature. In winter, frost or snow can occur in the interior and the higher mountains, although this only occurs once or twice in a decade. Lowest ever recorded temperature is -12.0 °C recorded at Turaif. The average winter temperature range is 8° to 20 °C (47° to 68 °F) in January in interior cities such as Riyadh and 19° to 29 °C (66° to 83 °F) in [[Jeddah]] on the Red Sea coast. The average summer range in July is 27° to 43 °C (81° to 109 °F) in Riyadh and 27° to 38 °C (80° to 100 °F) in Jeddah. Nighttime temperatures in the central deserts can be famously chilly even in summer, as the sand gives up daytime heat rapidly once the sun has set. Annual precipitation is usually sparse (up to 100 mm or 4 [[inch]]es in most regions), although sudden downpours can lead to violent [[flash flood]]s in [[wadi]]s. Annual rainfall in Riyadh averages 100 mm (4 inches) and falls almost exclusively between January and May; the average in Jeddah is 54 mm (2.1 inches) and occurs between November and January.
== Government ==
<!--Please add new information to relevant articles of the series-->
{{main|Politics of Saudi Arabia}}
[[Image:Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.jpg|thumb|left|[[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|King Abdullah]] of Saudi Arabia]]
The central institution of the Saudi Arabian government is the [[House of Saud|Saudi monarchy]]. The ''Basic Law of Government'' adopted in 1992 declared that Saudi Arabia is a monarchy ruled by the sons and grandsons of the first king, [[Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia|Abd Al Aziz Al Saud]]. It also claims that the [[Qur'an]] is the [[constitution]] of the country, which is governed on the basis of the Sharia (Islamic Law). According to [[The Economist]]'s [[Democracy Index]], the Saudi government is the ninth most authoritarian regime in the world.
There are no recognized political parties or national elections, except the local elections which were held in the year 2005 when participation was reserved for male citizens only.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3734420.stm Saudi women barred from voting], ''BBC News'', [[October 11]], [[2004]]. Accessed [[June 25]], [[2008]].</ref> The king's powers are theoretically limited within the bounds of Shari'a and other Saudi traditions. He also must retain a consensus of the Saudi royal family, religious leaders (''[[ulema]]''), and other important elements in Saudi society. The Saudi government spreads [[Islam]] by funding construction of mosques and [[Madrasah|Qur'an schools]] around the world. The leading members of the royal family choose the king from among themselves with the subsequent approval of the ulema.
Saudi kings have gradually developed a central government. Since 1953, the Council of Ministers, appointed by the king, has advised on the formulation of general policy and directed the activities of the growing bureaucracy. This council consists of a prime minister, the first prime minister and twenty ministers.
Legislation is by resolution of the Council of Ministers, ratified by [[Decree|royal decree]], and must be compatible with the Shari'a. A 150-member [[Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia|Consultative Assembly]], appointed by the King, has limited legislative rights. [[Justice]] is administered according to the Shari'a by a system of religious courts whose judges are appointed by the king on the recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, composed of twelve senior jurists. [[Independence]] of the judiciary is protected by law. The king acts as the highest court of appeal and has the power to pardon. Access to high officials (usually at a ''majlis''; a public audience) and the [[right to petition]] them directly are well-established traditions.
The combination of relatively high oil prices and exports led to a revenues windfall for Saudi Arabia during 2004 and early 2005. For 2004 as a whole, Saudi Arabia earned about $116 billion in net oil export revenues, up 35 percent from 2003 revenue levels. Saudi net oil export revenues are forecast to increase in 2005 and 2006, to $150 billion and $154 billion, respectively, mainly due to higher oil prices. Increased oil prices and consequent revenues since the price collapse of 1998 have significantly improved Saudi Arabia's economic situation, with real GDP growth of 5.2 percent in 2004, and forecasts of 5.7% and 4.8% growth for 2005 and 2006, respectively.
For [[fiscal year]] 2004, Saudi Arabia originally had been expecting a [[Deficit|budget deficit]]. However, this was based on an extremely conservative price assumption of $19 per barrel for Saudi oil and an assumed production of {{convert|7.7|Moilbbl/d|m3/d|abbr=on}}<!--barrels per day?-->. Both of these estimates turned out to be far below actual levels. As a result, as of mid-December 2004, the Saudi Finance Ministry was expecting a huge budget surplus of $26.1 billion, on budget revenues of $104.8 billion (nearly double the country's original estimate) and expenditures of $78.6 billion (28 percent above the approved budget levels). This surplus is being used for several purposes, including: paying down the Kingdom's public debt (to $164 billion from $176 billion at the start of 2004); extra spending on education and development projects; increased security expenditures (possibly an additional $2.5 billion dollars in 2004; see below) due to threats from terrorists; and higher payments to Saudi citizens through subsidies (for housing, education, health care, etc.). For 2005, Saudi Arabia is assuming a balanced budget, with revenues and expenditures of $74.6 billion each.
In spite of the recent surge in its oil income, Saudi Arabia continues to face serious long-term economic challenges, including high rates of unemployment (12 percent of Saudi nationals),<ref>Ghafour, P.K. Abdul. [http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=95003&d=15&m=4&y=2007 470,000 Saudis Are Jobless, Says Study], ''Arab News'', [[April 15]], [[2007]]. Accessed [[June 25]], [[2008]].</ref> one of the world's fastest population growth rates, and the consequent need for increased government spending. All of these place pressures on Saudi oil revenues. The Kingdom also is facing serious security threats, including a number of terrorist attacks (on foreign workers, primarily) in 2003 and 2004. In response, the Saudis reportedly have ramped up spending in the security area (reportedly by 50 percent in 2004, from $5.5 billion in 2003). Saudi Arabia's per capita oil export revenues remain far below high levels reached during the 1970s and early 1980s. In 2007, Saudi Arabia's citizens earned around $20,700 per person, versus $22,589 in 1980, but it is catching up. This 80 percent decline in real per capita oil export revenues since 1980 is in large part because Saudi Arabia's young population has nearly tripled since 1980, while oil export revenues in real terms have fallen by over 40 percent (despite recent increases). Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has faced nearly two decades of heavy budget and trade deficits, the expensive 1990-1991 war with Iraq, and total public debt of around $175 billion. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia does have extensive foreign assets (around $110 billion) which provide a substantial fiscal "cushion."
[[Saudi Arabian municipal elections, 2005|Saudi municipal elections]] took place in 2005 and some commentators saw this as a first tentative step towards the introduction of [[democracy|democratic]] processes in the Kingdom, including the legalization of political parties. Other analysts of the Saudi political scene were more skeptical.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4252079.stm 'Islamist win' in key Saudi poll], ''BBC News'', [[February 11]], [[2005]]. Accessed [[June 25]], [[2008]].</ref>
==== Law ====
The [[Basic Law of Saudi Arabia|Basic Law]], in 1992, declared that Saudi Arabia is a monarchy ruled by the progeny of [[Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia|King Abd Al Aziz Al Saud]]. It also declared the [[Qur'an]] as the constitution of the country, governed on the basis of [[Sharia|Islamic law]].<ref name = Jurist>[http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/world/saudiarabia.htm Saudi Arabia]. JURIST</ref>
Criminal cases are tried under Sharia courts in the country. These courts exercise authority over the entire population including foreigners (regardless of religion). Cases involving small penalties are tried in Shari'a summary courts. More serious crimes are adjudicated in Shari'a courts of common pleas. Courts of appeal handle appeals from Shari'a courts.<ref name = Jurist/>
Civil cases may also be tried under Sharia courts with one exception: Shia may try such cases in their own courts. Other civil proceedings, including those involving claims against the Government and enforcement of foreign judgments, are held before specialized administrative tribunals, such as the Commission for the Settlement of Labor Disputes and the Board of Grievances.<ref name = Jurist/>
Main sources of Saudi law are [[Hanbali]] [[fiqh]] as set out in a number of specified scholarly treatises by authoritative jurists, other schools of law, state regulations and royal decrees (where these are relevant), and custom and practice.<ref name =emory>[http://www.law.emory.edu/ifl/legal/saudiarabia.htm Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of]</ref>
The Saudi legal system prescribes [[capital punishment]] or [[corporal punishment]], including [[amputation]]s of hands and feet for certain crimes such as [[murder]], [[robbery]], rape, drug smuggling, [[homosexuality|homosexual activity]], and [[adultery]]. The courts may impose less severe punishments, such as [[Flagellation|floggings]], for less serious crimes against [[public morality]] such as [[drunkenness]].<ref>[http://hrw.org/backgrounder/mena/saudi/saudi.pdf Human Rights in Saudi Arabia: A Deafening Silence]</ref>
Murder, accidental death and bodily harm are open to punishment from the victim's family. Retribution may be sought in kind or through [[Blood money (term)#In Islam|blood money]]. The blood money payable for a woman's accidental death is half as much as that for a man.<ref>[http://www.jeansasson.com/law_and_government.htm Saudi Arabian Government and Law]</ref> The main reason for this is that, according to Islamic law, men are expected to be providers for their families and therefore are expected to earn more money in their lifetimes. The blood money from a man would be expected to sustain his family, for at least a short time. Honor killings are also not punished as severely as murder. This generally stems from the fact that honor killings are within a family, and done to compensate for some dishonorable act committed. [[Slavery]] was abolished in 1962.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/history/slavery_8.shtml BBC - Religion & Ethics - Islam and slavery: Abolition]</ref><ref>[http://www.britannica.com/blackhistory/article-24160 Welcome to Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to Black History]</ref>
=== Human rights ===
{{main|Human rights in Saudi Arabia}}
Several international [[human rights]] organizations, such as [[Human Rights Watch]], [[Amnesty International]] and the [[United Nations]] Human Rights Committee have issued reports critical of the Saudi legal system and its human rights record in various political, legal, and social areas, especially its severe limitations on the rights of women. The Saudi government typically dismisses such reports as being outright lies or asserts that its actions are based on its adherence to Islamic law.
In 2002, the [[United Nations Convention Against Torture|United Nations Committee against Torture]] criticized Saudi Arabia over the amputations and floggings it carries out under the Shari'a. The Saudi delegation responded defending its legal traditions held since the inception of Islam in the region 1300 years ago and rejected "interference" in its legal system.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1992027.stm Saudi 'torture' condemned by UN], ''BBC News'', [[May 16]], [[2002]]. Accessed [[June 25]], [[2008]].</ref>
Saudi Arabia is also the only country in the world where women are banned from driving on public roads.<ref>Hassan, Ibtihal; Hammond, Andrew. [http://www.reuters.com/article/basicindustries-SP-A/idUSL1071429920071210 Car makers target Saudi women despite driving ban], ''Reuters'', [[December 10]], [[2007]]. Accessed [[June 25]], [[2008]].</ref> (Women may drive off-road and in private housing compounds - some of which extend to many square miles.) The ban may be lifted soon.<ref>[http://www.aina.org/news/20080320135642.htm "Saudi Arabia to Allow Women to Drive - With Conditions" by [[Assyrian International News Agency]], March 17, 2008]</ref>
The Government views its interpretation of Islamic law as its sole source of guidance on human rights. In 2000, the Government approved the October legislation, which the Government claimed would address some of its obligations under the Convention Against Torture or Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.<ref name = Jurist/>
{{quotation
|"The state protects human rights in accordance with the Islamic Shari'ah."
|[[Basic Law of Saudi Arabia|Basic Law]], Chapter 5, Article 26.<ref>[http://www.mideastinfo.com/documents/Saudi_Arabia_Basic_Law.htm Saudi Arabia: Basic Law of Government]</ref>
}}
The first independent human rights organization, the [[National Society for Human Rights]] was established in 2004.
The Saudi Government is an active censor of Internet reception within its borders.<ref>[http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/filtering/saudiarabia/ "Documentation of Internet Filtering in Saudi Arabia"]</ref> A Saudi [[blog]]ger, [[Fouad al-Farhan]], was jailed for five months in [[solitary confinement]] in December, 2007, without charges, after criticizing Saudi religious, business and media figures.<ref>Robertson, Nic; Drash, Wayne. [http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/27/saudi.blogger/index.html "No freedom for 'dean of Saudi bloggers'"], ''CNN'', [[February 28]], [[2008]]. Accessed [[June 25]], [[2008]].</ref>
== Emirates ==
{{main|Emirates of Saudi Arabia|Governorates of Saudi Arabia}}
Saudi Arabia is divided into 13 ''emirates''<ref>http://www.arab.net/saudi/sa_admindivisions.htm</ref> (''manatiq'', - singular ''[[mintaqah]]''). The emirates are further divided into governorates.
{| border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5"
|-
! Emirate || Capital || L. Map
|-
| [[Al Bahah Province|Al Bahah]]
| [[Al Bahah|Al Bahah city]]
| rowspan="14" | {{Saudi Arabia Prv}}
|-
| [[Northern Borders Region|Northern Border]]
| [[Arar]]
|-
| [[Al Jawf Province|Al Jawf]]
| [[Al Jawf, Saudi Arabia|Al Jawf city]]
|-
| [[Medina]]
| [[Medina]]
|-
| [[Al-Qassim Province|Al Qasim]]
| [[Buraidah]]
|-
| [[Ha'il Province|Ha'il]]
| [[Ha'il|Ha'il city]]
|-
| [['Asir|Asir]]
| [[Abha]]
|-
| [[Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia|Eastern Emirate]]
| [[Dammam]]
|-
| [[Riyadh Province|Al Riyadh]]
| [[Riyadh|Riyadh city]]
|-
| [[Tabuk Province|Tabuk]]
| [[Tabuk|Tabuk city]]
|-
| [[Najran Province|Najran]]
| [[Najran|Najran city]]
|-
| [[Makkah Province|Makkah]]
| [[Mecca]]
|-
| [[Jizan Province|Jizan]]
| [[Jizan|Jizan city]]
|-
|}
== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Saudi Arabia}}
[[Image:AramcoCoreArea.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Saudi Aramco|Aramco]], the Saudi national oil company, whose main offices are in [[Dhahran]]]]
Saudi Arabia's economy is Petroleum-based; roughly 75% of budget revenues and 90% of export earnings come from the oil industry. The oil industry comprises about 45% of Saudi Arabia's [[gross domestic product]], compared with 40% from the private sector (see below). Saudi Arabia officially has about {{convert|260|Goilbbl|m3}} of [[oil reserves]], comprising about 24% of the world's proven total petroleum reserves.<ref>[http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/reserves.html World Proved Reserves of Oil and Natural Gas, Most Recent Estimates]</ref>
[[Image:SaudiArabiaNetExports.PNG|thumb|Saudi Arabia is the largest exporter of [[petroleum]] in the world]]
The government is attempting to promote growth in the private sector by privatizing industries such as power and telecom. Saudi Arabia announced plans to begin privatizing the electricity companies in 1999, which followed the ongoing privatization of the telecommunications company. Shortages of water and rapid population growth may constrain government efforts to increase self-sufficiency in agricultural products.
In the 1990s, Saudi Arabia experienced a significant contraction of oil revenues combined with a high rate of population growth. Per capita income fell from a high of $11,700 at the height of the oil boom in 1981 to $6,300 with in 1998.<ref>[http://www.jica.go.jp/english/global/pov/profiles/pdf/sau_eng.pdf Country Profile Study on Poverty: Saudi Arabia]</ref> Recent oil price increases have helped boost per capita GDP to $17,000 in 2007 dollars,<ref>[[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita]]</ref> or about $7,400 adjusted for inflation.<ref>[http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl CPI Inflation Calculator]</ref>
Recent oil price increases have triggered a second oil boom, pushing Saudi Arabia's budget surplus to $28 billion (110SR billion) in 2005. [[Tadawul]] (the Saudi stock market Index) finished 2004 with a massive 76.23% to close at 4437.58 points. [[Market capitalization]] was up 110.14% from a year earlier to stand at $157.3 billion (589.93SR billion), which makes it the biggest stock market in the [[Middle East]].
OPEC limits its member's oil production based on its "proven reserves." The higher their reserves, the more OPEC allows them to produce.{{Fact|date=September 2007}} Saudi Arabia's published reserves have shown little change since 1980, with the main exception being an increase of about {{convert|100|Goilbbl|m3}} between 1987 and 1988.<ref>[http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/international/iealf/crudeoilreserves.xls Crude Oil Reserves]</ref> Some have suggested that Saudi Arabia is greatly exaggerating its reserves and may soon show production declines (see [[peak oil]]).{{Fact|date=March 2007}}
To diversify the economy, Saudi Arabia launched a new city on the western coast with investments exceeding 26.6 billion dollars. The city which is named "[[King Abdullah Economic City]]" will be built near al-Rabegh industrial city north to Jeddah. The new city, where construction work started in December 2005, includes a port which is the largest port of the kingdom. Extending along a coastline of 35 km, the city will also include petrochemical, pharmaceutical, tourism, finance and education and research areas.
Saudi Arabia officially became a [[World Trade Organization]] member in December 2005.
=== Development ===
Saudi Arabia is one of the few fastest growing [[country|countries]] in the world with a high [[per capita income]] of $20,700 (2007), Saudi Arabia will be launching six [[economic]] [[city|cities]] ([[King Abdullah Economic City]])<ref>[http://www.sagia.gov.sa/en/business-opportunities/economic-cities Six New Economic cities in Saudi Arabia]</ref> which will be completed by the year 2020. These six new industrialized [[city|cities]] will diversify the economy of Saudi Arabia, and will also increase the per capita income to a high level. The King of Saudi Arabia has announced that the [[per capita income]] is forecast, to rise from $ 15,000 in 2006 to $33,500 in 2020.<ref>[http://professional.tdctrade.com/content.aspx?data=Professional_content_en&contentid=917452&w_sid=194&w_pid=836&w_nid=10993&w_cid=917452&w_idt=1900-01-01&w_oid=181&w_jid= Construction boom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE]</ref> The [[city|cities]] will be spread around Saudi Arabia to promote diversification for each region and their economy, and the cities will contribute $ 150 billion to the GDP.
However the [[urban area]]s of [[Riyadh]] and [[Jeddah]] will contribute $287 billion dollars by the year 2020.<ref>[http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/richest-cities-2020.html Riyadh's Urban area will contribute $ 167 B and Jeddah's will contribute $ 111 Billion]</ref>
=== Foreign labour ===
Despite the government's efforts to promote [[Saudization]], many men and women from [[South Asia|South]], [[Southeast Asia|South East]] ([[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Indonesia]], the [[Philippines]], [[Nepal]], [[Sri Lanka]]), [[East Asia]], [[East Africa]] (Egypt) and the [[Middle East]] continue to seek work in Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hrw.org/reports/2004/saudi0704/saudi0704.pdf |title=Bad Dreams: Exploitation and Abuse of Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia (PDF)|publisher=Human Rights Watch |date=July 2004 |accessdate=2007-04-20}}</ref> There are also some people from [[North America]], [[South America]], and [[Europe]]. Hundreds of thousands of low-[[skilled worker]]s and skilled workers from regions of the [[developing country|developing world]] migrate to Saudi Arabia, sometimes only for a short period of time, to work. Although exact figures are not known, skilled experts in the [[bank]]ing and services professions seek work in the Kingdom.
== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of Saudi Arabia}}
Saudi Arabia's population as of July 2006 is estimated to be about 27,019,731, including about 5,576,076 resident foreigners.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} Until the 1960s, a majority of the population was [[nomad]]ic; but presently more than 95% of the population is settled, due to rapid economic and urban growth. As recently as the 1950s, the Saudi Arabia’s slave population was estimated at 450,000 — 20% of the population.<ref>[http://www.answering-islam.org/Silas/slavery.htm Slavery in Islam]</ref><ref>[http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/apr07/page18.html £400 for a Slave]</ref> [[Slavery]] was finally abolished in 1962.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/history/slavery_8.shtml BBC - Religion & Ethics - Islam and slavery: Abolition]</ref><ref>[http://www.britannica.com/blackhistory/article-24160 Welcome to Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to Black History]</ref> The birth rate is 29.56 births per 1,000 people. The death rate is 2.62 deaths per 1,000 people. Some cities and oases have densities of more than 1,000 people per square kilometer (2,600/sq mi).
Around 85 percent of Saudis are ethnically [[Arab]].{{Fact|date=September 2007}} Approximately 12% of the population is [[South Asia]]n or of South Asian ancestry, including Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis. In addition, there are some citizens of [[Asian people|Asian]] and [[Sub-Saharan Africa|sub-Saharan]]/[[East Africa]]n ancestry. Many Arabs from nearby countries are employed in the kingdom. There are over seven million migrants from countries all around the world, including (including non-Muslims):<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2005/51609.htm Saudi Arabia: International Religious Freedom Report 2005]</ref> [[Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin|Indian]]: 1.4 million, [[Bangladesh]]i: 1 million, [[Filipino people|Filipino]]: 950,000, [[Pakistan]]i: 900,000, [[Egyptians|Egyptian]]: 900,000, [[Yemen]]i: 800,000, [[Indonesia]]n: 500,000, [[Sri Lanka]]n: 350,000, [[Sudan]]ese: 250,000, [[Demographics of Syria|Syrian]]: 100,000 and [[Turkish people|Turkish]]: 80,000.<ref>[http://www.un.org/esa/population/meetings/EGM_Ittmig_Arab/P02_Kapiszewski.pdf Arab versus Asian migrant workers in the GCC countries]</ref> There are around 100,000 [[Western world|Westerners]] in Saudi Arabia, most of whom live in [[Compound (fortification)|compounds]] or [[Gated community|gated communities]].
Saudi Arabia expelled 800,000 Yemenis in 1990 and 1991 to punish [[Yemen]] for its opposition to the [[Gulf War|war]] against [[Iraq]]. An estimated 240,000 [[Palestinian people|Palestinians]] are living in Saudi Arabia. They are not allowed to hold or even apply for Saudi citizenship, as the new law passed by Saudi Arabia's Council of Ministers in October 2004 (which entitles [[expatriate]]s of all nationalities who have resided in the kingdom for ten years to apply for citizenship, with priority being given to holders of degrees in various scientific fields) has one glaring exception: Palestinians will not be allowed to benefit from the new law because of [[Arab League]] instructions barring the Arab states from granting them citizenship in order "to avoid dissolution of their identity and protect their right to return to their homeland."<ref>[http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=58980&d=14&m=2&y=2005 Expatriates Can Apply for Saudi Citizenship in Two-to-Three Months]</ref>
The majority of the population adheres to a theological interpretation within Islam most commonly known as [[Salafism]] or [[Wahhabism]]. The [[demographics of Islam|Shia population]] of the country is estimated at around 15-25 percent,<ref>Beehner, Lionel. [http://www.cfr.org/publication/10903/shiite_muslims_in_the_middle_east.html Shia Muslims in the Mideast], ''Council on Foreign Relations'', [[June 16]], [[2006]]. Accessed [[June 25]], [[2008]].</ref> primarily in the eastern provinces on the Gulf, southwestern provinces bordering [[Yemen]], Makkah and particularly, Medina, as well as other larger cities in the Kingdom.
== Education ==
{{Main|Education in Saudi Arabia}}
When the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932, [[education]] was not accessible to everyone and limited to individualized instruction at religious schools in mosques in urban areas. These schools taught Islamic law and basic literacy skills. By the end of the century, Saudi Arabia had a nationwide educational system providing free training from preschool through university to all citizens. The modern Saudi educational system provides quality instruction in diverse fields of modern and traditional arts and sciences.{{Fact|date=November 2007}} This diversity helps meet the Kingdom's growing need for highly-educated citizens to build on its rapid progress.
The primary education system began in Saudi Arabia in the 1930s. By 1945, King Abdulaziz bin Abdelrahman Al-Saud, the country's founder, had initiated an extensive program to establish schools in the Kingdom. Six years later, in 1951, the country had 226 schools with 29,887 students. In 1954, the Ministry of Education was established, headed by then Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz as the first Minister of Education. The first university, now known as [[King Saud University]], was founded in Riyadh in 1957.
Today, Saudi Arabia's nationwide public educational system comprises twenty universities, more than 24,000 schools, and a large number of colleges and other educational and training institutions. The system provides students with free education, books and health services and is open to every Saudi. Over 25 percent of the annual State budget is for education including vocational training. The Kingdom has also worked on scholarship programs to send students overseas to the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[France]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Australia]], [[Japan]], [[Malaysia]] and other nations. Currently thousands of students are being sent to higher-educations programs every year.
The study of Islam remains at the core of the Saudi educational system. The Islamic aspect of the Saudi national curriculum is examined in a recent report by [[Freedom House]].<ref>http://www.freedomhouse.org/religion/news/bn2005/bn-2005-2006-05-23.htm</ref> The report found that in religious education classes (in any religious school), children are taught to deprecate other religions, in addition to other branches of Islam. The Saudi religious studies curriculum is taught outside the Kingdom in [[madrasah]] throughout the world.
== Sports ==
Men can often be found playing sports. Women rarely participate in sports, and always away from the presence of men; this often leads to indoor gyms. Even though [[association football|football]] is the most popular sport, Saudi Arabia has recently participated in the [[Summer Olympic Games]] and in international competitions in [[volleyball]] and other sports. The Saudi Arabian national youth baseball team has also participated in the Little League World Series. The [[Saudi Arabia national football team]] is often most known for being in four consecutive times in the [[FIFA World Cup]] and six times in the [[AFC Asian Cup]], which the team won three times and was runner-up three times. Some popular football players include [[Majed Abdullah]], [[Mohamed Al-Deayea]], [[Sami Al-Jaber]], and [[Saeed Al-Owairan]].
== Culture ==
[[Image:Omm Al Qura ST - Mecca.JPG|thumb|Street view of [[Mecca]]]]
[[Image:Montazah alsalam.jpg|thumb|A recreation park in [[Riyadh]]]]
Saudi Arabian culture mainly revolves around the religion of [[Islam]]. Islam's two holiest sites, [[Mecca]] and [[Medina]], are located in the country. Five times every day, Muslims are called to prayer from the minarets of mosques which are scattered around the country. The weekend begins on Thursday due to Friday being the holiest day for Muslims. All Muslim countries have a Thursday-Friday or Friday-Saturday weekend.<ref>Sulaiman, Tosin. [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article697051.ece Bahrain changes the weekend in efficiency drive], ''The Times'', [[August 2]], [[2006]]. Accessed [[June 25]], [[2008]].</ref> The public practice of any religion other than Islam, including Christianity and Judaism, the presence of churches, and possession of non-Islamic religious materials is not allowed except in Aramco compounds in which many expatriates attend church services.{{fact|date=February 2008}} Saudi Arabia's cultural heritage is celebrated at the annual [[Jenadriyah]] cultural festival.
However, secret negotiations are rumored to be taking place between the Vatican and Saudi Arabia regarding authorization to build Catholic Churches in the Kingdom.<ref>Adnkronos International, March 17, 2008, "Vatican: Secret talks for churches in Saudi Arabia, says report," http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Religion/?id=1.0.1982104543</ref>
=== Music and dance ===
One of Saudi Arabia's most compelling folk rituals is the [[Ardha|Al Ardha]], the country's national dance. This [[sword dance]] is based on ancient [[Bedouin]] traditions: drummers beat out a rhythm and a poet chants verses while sword-carrying men dance shoulder to shoulder. [[Al-sihba]] folk music, from the [[Hejaz]], has its origins in [[al-Andalus]]. In [[Mecca]], [[Medina]] and [[Jeddah]], dance and song incorporate the sound of the [[mizmar]], an [[oboe]]-like [[woodwind instrument]] in the performance of the [[Mizmar (dance)|mizmar dance]]. The [[drum]] is also an important instrument according to traditional and tribal customs. [[Samri]] is popular traditional form of music and dance in which poetry is sung.
=== Dress ===
Saudi Arabian dress follows strictly the principles of [[hijab]] (the Islamic principle of [[modesty]], especially in dress). The predominantly loose and flowing but covering garments are helpful in Saudi Arabia's [[desert]] climate. Traditionally, men usually wear an ankle-length shirt woven from wool or cotton (known as a [[thawb]]), with a [[keffiyeh]] (a large checkered square of cotton held in place by a cord coil) or a [[Keffiyeh|ghutra]] (a plain white square made of finer cotton, also held in place by a cord coil) worn on the head. For rare chilly days, Saudi men wear a [[camel]]-hair cloak ([[bisht (clothing)|bisht]]) over the top. Women's clothes are decorated with tribal motifs, coins, sequins, metallic thread, and appliques. Women are required to wear an [[abaya]] or modest clothing when in public.
=== Food ===
[[Islamic dietary laws]] forbid the eating of [[pork]] and the drinking of [[alcoholic beverage|alcohol]], and this law is enforced strictly throughout Saudi Arabia. Arabic unleavened bread, or [[Khubz|khobz]], is eaten with almost all meals. Other staples include [[lamb and mutton|lamb]], [[Chicken (food)|grilled chicken]], [[falafel]] (deep-fried [[chickpea]] balls), [[shawarma]] (spit-cooked sliced lamb), and [[Ful medames]] (a paste of [[Vicia faba|fava beans]], [[garlic]] and [[lemon]]). Traditional [[coffeehouse]]s used to be ubiquitous, but are now being displaced by food-hall style cafes. Arabic [[tea]] is also a famous custom, which is used in both casual and formal meetings between friends, family and even strangers. The tea is black (without milk) and has herbal flavoring that comes in many variations.
=== Film and theatre ===
[[Theater (structure)|Public theatres]] and [[movie theater|cinemas]] are prohibited, as Wahhabi tradition deems those institutions to be incompatible with Islam. However, an [[IMAX]] theatre is available,<ref>[http://www.scitech.com.sa/IMAX.html IMAX Arabic]</ref> and in private compounds such as [[Saudi Aramco Residential Camp in Dhahran|Dhahran]] and [[Ras Tanura]] public theaters can be found, but often are more popular for local music, arts, and theatre productions rather than the exhibition of motion pictures. Recently, plans for some cinemas that will be allowed to feature Arabic cartoons for women and children were announced.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} DVDs, including American and British movies, are legal and widely available.
=== Literature ===
Some Saudi [[novel]]ists have had their books published in [[Beirut]], [[Lebanon]], because of [[censorship]] in Saudi Arabia. Despite signs of increasing openness, Saudi novelists and [[artist]]s in [[film]], [[theatre]], and the [[visual arts]] face greater restrictions on their freedom of expression than in the West. Contemporary Saudi novelists include:
* [[Abdul Rahman Munif]] (exiled, now deceased)
* Yousef Al-Mohaimeed
* Abdu Khal
* [[Turki al-Hamad]] (subject of a [[fatwā]] and death threats)
* Ali al-Domaini (in jail)
* Ahmed Abodehman (now writes in French)
* [[Raja'a Alem]]
* [[Abdullah Al-Qasemi]]
* [[Rajaa al-Sanea|Rajaa Al Sanie]], author of best-selling novel [[Girls of Riyadh]]
== Military ==
{{main|Military of Saudi Arabia}}
{{see also|Al Yamamah}}
[[Image:Saudi V-150 Commando.jpg|thumb|[[Saudi Arabian National Guard|SANG]] V150]]
[[Image:RSAF Tornado 114 07.jpg|thumb|Saudi Tornado during [[Gulf War]]]]
Saudi military was founded as the [[Ikhwan]] army, the tribal army of [[Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia|Ibn Saud]]. The Ikhwan had helped King Ibn Saud conquer the Arabian peninsula during the First World War.
By expanding the military forces years later, Saudi Arabia today has many military branches.
*Military branches of Ministry of Defence:
**[[Saudi Arabian Army|Army]]
**[[Royal Saudi Air Force|Air Force]]
**[[Saudi Navy|Navy]]
**[[Royal Saudi Air Defense|Air Defense]]
*Independent Military branches:
**[[Saudi Arabian National Guard|National Guard]]
**[[Saudi Royal Guard Regiment|Royal Guard]]
**[[Al Mukhabarat Al A'amah|General Intelligence]]
**[[Saudi Military Police|Military Police]]
**[[Saudi Lightning Force]]
*Military branches of Ministry of Interior:
**Saudi Arabian Police Force
**Saudi Arabian Border Guard
***Saudi Border Guard
***Saudi Coast Guard
**Al-Mujahidoon
**[[Special Emergency Force|Saudi Emergency Force]]
== Foreign relations ==
{{main|Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia}}
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest contributors of [[development aid]], both in term of [[Official development assistance|volume of aid]] and in the ratio of aid volume to [[gross domestic product|GDP]].<ref>[http://saudinf.com/MAIN/l102.htm Saudi Aid to the Developing World]</ref><ref>[http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/197906/arab.aid-an.introduction.htm Arab Aid]</ref>
Much of Saudi Arabia's aid has gone to poorer Islamic countries or Islamic communities in non-Islamic countries. This "aid" has contributed to the spreading of a uniform and puritanical form of Islam, disregarding the needs and traditions of the different ethnic groups. Therefore Saudi Arabia has spearheaded the erosion of formerly mellow and colorful Islamic cultures through rigid standardization. Examples of the acculturizing effect of Saudi aid can be seen among the [[Minangkabau]] and the [[Aceh]]nese in [[Indonesia]], as well as among the people of the [[Maldives]].<ref>Ricklefs, M.C. ''A history of modern Indonesia since c.1200''. Stanford. 2001 Stanford University Press.</ref><ref>Abdullah, Taufik. ''Adat and Islam: An Examination of Conflict in Minangkabau''. 1966.</ref><ref>Indonesia's Population: Ethnicity and Religion in a Changing Political Landscape. 2003. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.</ref><ref>Xavier Romero-Frias, ''The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom''. 1999, ISBN 84 7254 801 5</ref>
== Cities ==
{{main|List of cities and towns in Saudi Arabia}}
<center>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right; margin-right:50px; font-size:90%"
|-
! align=center |'''Largest Cities by Population'''<br/><small>(2007)</small>
! <br/><small>mill.</small>
! rowspan=4 | [[Image:Kingdom Tower at night.JPG|145px]]
! rowspan=4 | [[Image:Jeddah corniche rosewoood.JPG|145px]]
! rowspan=4 | [[Image:mecca skyline.jpg|145px]]
|-
| align=left | '''[[Riyadh]]''' || 4.7
|-
| align=left | '''[[Jeddah]]''' || 3.6
|-
| align=left | '''[[Mecca]]''' || 1.7
|-
| align=left | '''[[Medina]]''' || 1.3 ||align=center | [[Riyadh]] ||align=center | [[Jeddah]] ||align=center | [[Mecca]]
|-
| align=left | '''[[Dammam]]''' || 1.3 ||rowspan=4 | [[Image:Masjid Nabawi. Medina, Saudi Arabia.jpg|145px]] ||rowspan=4 | [[Image:Dammam.jpg|145px]] || rowspan=4 |[[Image:Snowintabuk.jpg|145px]]
|-
| align=left | '''[[Qatif]]''' || 0.8
|-
| align=left | '''[[Ta’if]]''' || 0.7
|-
| align=left | '''[[Buraydah]]''' || 0.6
|-
| align=left | '''[[Tabuk]]''' || 0.5
|-
| align=left | '''[[Khamis Mushait]]''' || 0.4 || align=center | [[Medina]] ||align=center | [[Dammam]] || align=center | [[Tabuk]]
|}
</center>
== International rankings ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Organization
! Survey
! Ranking
|-
| [[Heritage Foundation]]/''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''
| [[Index of Economic Freedom#Current ratings|Index of Economic Freedom]]
| 62 out of 157
|-
| ''[[The Economist]]''
| [http://www.economist.com/theworldin/international/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3372495&d=2005 Worldwide Quality-of-life Index, 2005]
| 72 out of 111
|-
| [[Reporters Without Borders]]
| [[Reporters Without Borders#Worldwide press freedom index|Worldwide Press Freedom Index]]
| 161 out of 167
|-
| [[Transparency International]]
| [[Corruption Perceptions Index]]
| 70 out of 163
|-
| [[United Nations Development Programme]]
| [[List of countries by Human Development Index|Human Development Index]]
| 61 out of 177
|-
| [[A. T. Kearney]]/[[Foreign Policy|Foreign Policy Magazine]]
| [http://www.atkearney.com/main.taf?p=5,4,1,116 Globalization Index 2005]
| 45 out of 62
|}
== See also ==
{{portal}}
{{columns |width=270px |gap=5px
|col1 =
* [[Communications in Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Public holidays in Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Human rights in Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Human trafficking in Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Irrigation in Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Basic Law of Saudi Arabia|Law of Saudi Arabia, Basic]]
* [[Military of Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Nuclear program of Saudi Arabia]]
|col2 =
* [[Mutaween|Muttawa ("religious police")]]
* [[Saudi Arabian Boy Scouts Association]]
* [[Saudi Aramco]]
* [[Saudi riyal]]
* [[Pre-Islamic Arabia]]
* [[Arab diaspora]]
* [[Freedom of religion in Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Transport in Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Water supply and sanitation in Saudi Arabia]]
}}
=== Lists ===
* [[List of Arabian Houses]]
* [[List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia]]
* [[List of cities and towns in Saudi Arabia]]
* [[List of companies of Saudi Arabia]]
* [[List of universities in Saudi Arabia]]
== Notes and references ==
{{reflist|2}}
== Bibliography ==
* Jones, John Paul. ''If Olaya Street Could Talk: Saudi Arabia- The Heartland of Oil and Islam.'' The Taza Press (2007). ISBN 0-97904-360-3
* Lippman, Thomas W. "Inside the Mirage: America's Fragile Partnership with Saudi Arabia" (Westview 2004) ISBN 0-8133-4052-7
* Mackey, Sandra, ''The Saudis: Inside the Desert Kingdom'' (Houghton Mifflin, 1987) ISBN 0-395-41165-3
* Matthew R. Simmons, ''Twilight in the Desert The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy'', [[John Wiley & Sons]], 2005, ISBN 0-471-73876-X
* Ménoret, Pascal, ''The Saudi Enigma: A History'' (Zed Books, 2005) ISBN 1-84277-605-3
* al-Rasheed, Madawi, ''A History of Saudi Arabia'' (Cambridge University Press, 2002) ISBN 052164335X
* Robert Lacey, ''THE KINGDOM: Arabia & The House of Sa'ud'', Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc, 1981 (Hard Cover) and [[Avon (publishers)|Avon Books]], 1981 (Soft Cover. Library of Congress: 81-83741 ISBN 0-380-61762-5
* Roger Owen, ''State, Power and Politics in the Making of the Modern Middle East'', 3rd Edition (Routledge, 2006) ISBN 10: 0-415-29713-3
* T R McHale, ''A Prospect of Saudi Arabia'', [[International Affairs]] Vol. 56 No 4 Autumn 1980 pp622-647
* Turchin, P. 2007. Scientific Prediction in Historical Sociology: Ibn Khaldun meets Al Saud. [http://edurss.ru/cgi-bin/db.pl?cp=&page=Book&id=53185&lang=en&blang=en&list=Found History & Mathematics: Historical Dynamics and Development of Complex Societies.] Moscow: KomKniga, 2007. ISBN 5484010020
== External links ==
{{sisterlinks|Saudi Arabia}}
* [http://www.newspaperindex.com/en/newspapers/Saudi+Arabia Online Newspapers in Saudi Arabia]
* [http://www.un.org/esa/population/meetings/EGM_Ittmig_Arab/P02_Kapiszewski.pdf Arab versus Asian migrant workers in the GCC countries]
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/10/international/middleeast/10saudi.html ''The New York Times'' "Asterisk Aside, First National Vote for Saudis" 2005-02-10]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4230685.stm BBC "Q&A: Saudi municipal elections"]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4252305.stm BBC "Saudis' first exercise in democracy"]
* [http://www.hesbah.com/disapprove.asp Hesbah.com site of Authority for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice] Forum for Saudis to anonymously report "un-Islamic" activities to the Mutaween.
* [http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=8696492 "Saudi says US human trafficking criticism unfounded"]
* [http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/filtering/saudiarabia/ "Documentation of Internet Filtering in Saudi Arabia"]
*[http://www.salafimanhaj.com/pdf/SalafiManhaj_Terrorism_In_KSA.pdf The Ideology of Terrorism and Violence in Saudi Arabia: Origins, Reasons and Solution]
* {{PDFlink|[http://www.salafimanhaj.com/pdf/SalafiManhaj_Saudi.pdf Does Saudi Arabia Preach Intolerance in the UK and US?]|844 KB}}
'''Government'''
* [http://www.moe.gov.sa/openshare/moe/index.htm Saudi Arabian Information Resource] from the Saudi Ministry Education
* [http://www.saudinf.com Saudi Arabian Information Resource] from the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information
* [http://www.saudiembassy.net Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia] in [[Washington, DC]]
'''Overviews'''
* http://www.freemuslims.org/blog/index.php?id=1003 (Understanding Saudi Arabia by Kamal Nawash)
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/country_profiles/791936.stm BBC News Country Profile - ''Saudi Arabia'']
* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sa.html CIA World Factbook - ''Saudi Arabia'']
* [http://digital.library.unt.edu/govdocs/crs/search.tkl?q=saudi+arabia&search_crit=subject&search=Search&date1=Anytime&date2=Anytime&type=form Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports regarding Saudi Arabia]
* [http://www.state.gov/p/nea/ci/c2419.htm US State Department - ''Saudi Arabia''] includes Background Notes, Country Study and major reports
* [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/country/country_energy_data.cfm?fips=SA U.S. Energy Information Administration - Country Energy Profiles - Saudi Arabia]
'''Directories'''
* [http://www.saudinf.com/ ''SAMIRAD website - Saudi Arabia Market Information and Directory''] directory category
* [http://www.al-bab.com/arab/countries/saudi.htm Arab Gateway - ''Saudi Arabia'']
* [http://dmoz.org/Regional/Middle_East/Saudi_Arabia/ Open Directory Project - ''Saudi Arabia''] directory category
* [http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Saudi_Arabia/ Yahoo! - ''Saudi Arabia''] directory category
* [http://www.datarabia.com/ Datarabia - Saudi Royal Family, Business Directory - ''Saudi Arabia''] directory category
'''Other links'''
* [http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/mark-steel/mark-steel-why-does-saudi-arabia-need-military-aid-459786.html: Mark Steel: Why does Saudi Arabia need military aid?]
* [http://www.library.uu.nl/wesp/populstat/Asia/saudiarc.htm Saudi Arabia: Historical Demographic Data Factsheet]
* [http://www.blacksmithbooks.com/9628673254press.htm ''Saudi Match Point''] - a novel set in contemporary Saudi Arabia
* [http://www.asinah.net/index.php?saudi Asinah - Saudi Arabia]
* [http://www.bbg-jed.org British Business Group, Jeddah]
* [http://www.eSaudi.info eSaudi.info Information about Saudi Arabia Historical]
* [http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fara/Fara1st02/COUNTRY/SAUDIARA.HTM#2165 U.S. Department of Justice: Foreign Agents Registration Act]
* {{wikitravel}}
{{portalpar|Saudi Arabia}}
<br/>{{Saudi Arabia topics}}
{{Template group
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|list =
{{Countries and territories of the Middle East}}
{{Countries of Southwest Asia}}
{{Countries of Asia}}
{{Countries bordering the Red Sea}}
{{Countries and territories bordering the Indian Ocean}}
}}
{{Template group
|title = International membership
|list =
{{Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (CCASG)}}
{{Arab League}}
{{World Trade Organization (WTO)}}
{{Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)|state=collapsed}}
{{OPEC}}
{{Monarchies|state=collapsed}}
{{Afro-Asiatic-speaking nations}}
}}
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[[be-x-old:Саудаўская Арабія]]
[[bar:Saudi Arabien]]
[[bo:སའུ་དི་ཨ་ར་པི་ཡ]]
[[bs:Saudijska Arabija]]
[[br:Arabia Saoudat]]
[[bg:Саудитска Арабия]]
[[ca:Aràbia Saudita]]
[[ceb:Arabyang Saudi]]
[[cs:Saúdská Arábie]]
[[cy:Saudi Arabia]]
[[da:Saudi-Arabien]]
[[pdc:Saudi Arabia]]
[[de:Saudi-Arabien]]
[[dv:ސައޫދީ އަރަބިއްޔާ]]
[[dsb:Saudiska-Arabska]]
[[dz:སའུ་དི་ཨེ་ར་སྦི་ཡ་]]
[[et:Saudi Araabia]]
[[el:Σαουδική Αραβία]]
[[es:Arabia Saudita]]
[[eo:Saŭda Arabio]]
[[eu:Saudi Arabia]]
[[fa:عربستان سعودی]]
[[fo:Saudi-Arabia]]
[[fr:Arabie saoudite]]
[[fy:Saûdy-Araabje]]
[[ga:An Araib Shádach]]
[[gv:Yn Araab Saudi]]
[[gd:Saud-Aràibia]]
[[gl:Arabia Saudí - العربية السعودية]]
[[hak:Sâ-vû-thi Â-lâ-pak]]
[[ko:사우디아라비아]]
[[haw:Saudi ʻAlapia]]
[[hi:साउदी अरब]]
[[hsb:Saudi-Arabska]]
[[hr:Saudijska Arabija]]
[[io:Saudia Arabia]]
[[ilo:Saudi Arabia]]
[[bpy:সৌদি আরব]]
[[id:Arab Saudi]]
[[ia:Arabia Saudi]]
[[os:Саудаг Арави]]
[[is:Sádí-Arabía]]
[[it:Arabia Saudita]]
[[he:ערב הסעודית]]
[[jv:Arab Saudi]]
[[pam:Saudi Arabia]]
[[ka:საუდის არაბეთი]]
[[ks:सऊदी अरब]]
[[csb:Saudëjskô Arabijô]]
[[kk:Арабстан]]
[[kw:Arabi Saoudek]]
[[sw:Saudia]]
[[ht:Arabi Sawoudit]]
[[ku:Erebistana Siyûdî]]
[[la:Arabia Saudiana]]
[[lv:Saūda Arābija]]
[[lb:Saudi-Arabien]]
[[lt:Saudo Arabija]]
[[lij:Àrabia Saudïa]]
[[li:Saoedi-Arabië]]
[[ln:Saudi Arabia]]
[[hu:Szaúd-Arábia]]
[[ml:സൗദി അറേബ്യ]]
[[mr:सौदी अरेबिया]]
[[ms:Arab Saudi]]
[[mn:Саудын Араб]]
[[nah:Arabia Sauditlān]]
[[nl:Saoedi-Arabië]]
[[ne:साउदी अरेवीया]]
[[ja:サウジアラビア]]
[[no:Saudi-Arabia]]
[[nn:Saudi-Arabia]]
[[nrm:Arabie Saudi]]
[[nov:Saudi Arabia]]
[[oc:Arabia Saudita]]
[[or:ସୌଦି ଆରବ]]
[[uz:Saudiya Arabistoni]]
[[ps:سعودي عربستان]]
[[pms:Arabia Saodita]]
[[nds:Saudi-Arabien]]
[[pl:Arabia Saudyjska]]
[[pt:Arábia Saudita]]
[[crh:Saudiy Arabistan]]
[[ro:Arabia Saudită]]
[[qu:Sawud Arabya]]
[[ru:Саудовская Аравия]]
[[se:Saudi-Arábia]]
[[sa:सऊदी अरब]]
[[sco:Saudi Arabie]]
[[sq:Arabia Saudite]]
[[scn:Arabbia Saudita]]
[[simple:Saudi Arabia]]
[[sk:Saudská Arábia]]
[[sl:Saudova Arabija]]
[[sr:Саудијска Арабија]]
[[sh:Saudijska Arabija]]
[[su:Saudi Arabia]]
[[fi:Saudi-Arabia]]
[[szl:Arabja Saudyjsko]]
[[sv:Saudiarabien]]
[[tl:Arabyang Saudi]]
[[ta:சவுதி அரேபியா]]
[[te:సౌదీ అరేబియా]]
[[th:ประเทศซาอุดีอาระเบีย]]
[[vi:Ả Rập Saudi]]
[[tg:Арабистони Саудӣ]]
[[tr:Suudi Arabistan]]
[[tk:Saudi Arabystan]]
[[udm:Сауд Аравия]]
[[uk:Саудівська Аравія]]
[[ur:سعودی عرب]]
[[vo:Sauda-Larabän]]
[[fiu-vro:Saudi Araabia]]
[[war:Arabya Saudi]]
[[yo:Saudi Arabia]]
[[zh-yue:沙地阿拉伯]]
[[diq:Erebıstano Seudi]]
[[bat-smg:Saudo Arabėjė]]
[[zh:沙特阿拉伯]]