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Saudi Arabia

Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

Capital:Riyadh
Population:36.9M
Currency:Saudi Riyal (SAR)
Language:Arabic
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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

Saudis attempt to maintain traditions even though society is being modernized. The Saudi people are a very religious. Islamic customs play a key role in determining cultural practices.

Saudi Arabians prefer to establish trust and confidence before proceeding with business. Personal and family honor is important and can be easily offended.

Cultural Attributes

Saudis attempt to maintain traditions even though society is being modernized. The Saudi people are very religious. Islamic customs play a key role in determining cultural practices.

Saudi Arabians prefer to establish trust and confidence before proceeding with business. Personal and family honor is important and can be easily offended.

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5 more cultural topics for members

Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation

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Holidays

  • Unification of the Kingdom

    9/23

    Independence

  • Christmas

    12/25

    Christmas

    This Country is entirely Muslin and public celebrations of Christmas are not tolerated in any form. Foreign visitors may hold private holiday observances according to their country of origin.

Dates of Interest

  • July - August

    Al-Quds Day, also known as Jerusalem Day, is an annual event observed on the last Friday of Ramadan to express solidarity with the Palestinian people and their struggle for the liberation of Jerusalem. While it is not an official holiday in Saudi Arabia, some individuals participate in demonstrations or rallies to support the Palestinian cause.

How do people greet each other in Saudi Arabia?

A handshake with the right hand is the most common greeting, accompanied by "As-Salaamu Alaykum" (peace be upon you). Greetings between opposite genders are not the norm, so wait for the other person to initiate.

Do

  • Shake with the right hand and say "As-Salaamu Alaykum"
  • Let the other person initiate when greeting the opposite gender
  • Greet the oldest person first when visiting a home

Don’t

  • Don't assume you should shake hands with a woman

Good to know

  • Men who are close friends or family may exchange cheek kisses
  • Women may exchange verbal greetings, cheek kisses, or hugs if close

What are the dining customs in Saudi Arabia?

Food is eaten with the fingers of the right hand only, and the main meal is in mid-afternoon. Coffee or tea is served before meals, and common dishes include Kabsah (rice and lamb).

Do

  • Eat with the fingers of your right hand
  • Accept coffee or tea served before the meal
  • Accept food or drink offered by your host

Don’t

  • Don't eat pork or drink alcohol (Muslims abstain)
  • Don't eat with the left hand
  • Don't refuse offered food or drink, as it may seem impolite

Good to know

  • Bread may be torn with the left hand but is eaten with the right
  • Kabsah (rice and lamb) is a favorite dish throughout the country

What etiquette should I know when visiting a Saudi home?

Show respect through hospitality customs: bring a small gift, remove your shoes, and defer to elders. Saudi Arabia is known for treating guests with great respect and generosity.

Do

  • Bring a small gift such as dates, chocolates, or flowers
  • Remove your shoes before entering
  • Greet and show deference to the oldest person
  • Address elders as "Sheikh" (men) or "Sheikha" (women) with their first name

Don’t

  • Don't raise sensitive topics like politics, religion, or personal matters unless the host does
  • Don't ignore separate seating areas for men and women

Good to know

  • Focus conversation on family, culture, food, and general interests
  • Arrive on time, but be prepared for events to start later than scheduled
  • Follow your host's lead on seating; you may be offered indoor slippers

How should I dress in Saudi Arabia?

Dress conservatively and modestly, as modesty is of utmost importance even in summer heat. Avoid tight or revealing clothing.

Do

  • Men: wear long pants and shirts with sleeves
  • Women: cover arms and legs, and wear a headscarf (hijab) if Muslim
  • Dress modestly in public and in homes

Don’t

  • Don't wear tight or revealing clothing

Good to know

  • Saudi women often wear an "abaaya" and veil their faces in public
  • Saudi men typically wear a headdress ("ghutua") and a long white "thobe"

Are there gestures to avoid in Saudi Arabia?

Avoid pointing, using the left hand, and showing the sole of your foot, as these are considered rude.

Do

  • Use both hands when passing something to someone

Don’t

  • Don't point with your finger or signal with your hand
  • Don't make gestures or pass items with the left hand alone
  • Don't point the bottom of your foot toward another person

What should I know about family and gender customs in Saudi Arabia?

Separation of males and females is the norm, with many customs designed to protect a woman's modesty. Dating is not done, and marriages are usually arranged.

Do

  • Respect the separation of men and women in public and social settings

Don’t

  • Don't expect men and women to socialize together in public

Good to know

  • Women are usually accompanied by a male relative in public
  • Weddings are an Islamic ceremony followed by separate parties for men and women

What do people do for recreation in Saudi Arabia?

Popular activities include shopping malls, social gatherings for meals and coffee, outdoor desert activities, sports, cultural events, and religious activities.

Good to know

  • Malls offer shops, restaurants, cinemas, and air-conditioned relief from the heat
  • Outdoor options include picnics, camping, hiking, desert safaris, sandboarding, and dune bashing
  • Football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and cricket are popular, alongside camel racing and falconry
  • Explore sites like Jeddah's Old Town, the Nabatean ruins of Al-Ula, and the Red Sea coastline

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Saudi Arabia

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Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Currency
Saudi riyal (SAR)
Time Difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
Riyadh’s climate has a greater difference between winter and summer temperatures than elsewhere in the Kingdom. Riyadh has practically no humidity, making summers especially dry and dusty. Annual rainfall averages 2 to 4 inches, usually concentrated in a few torrential rainfalls in early spring. Winters produce moderate daytime temperatures from November through February. Evenings are sometimes cool enough to require residential heating. Jeddah, the commercial center, has a tropical climate — mild in winter and hot and very humid in summer. Summer lasts 8 to 10 months, with temperatures moderating in November. Relief from the heat often comes at sunset when sea breezes arrive. Except on the few occasions when it rains, the sun shines daily. Winter is comparable to the spring and summer seasons of resorts on the Mediterranean Sea. Dhahran’s climate, like that of Jeddah, is very humid, 60% – 90%, with summer lasting from April through October. The average maximum shade temperature in July and August is 110 °F, with "in sun" temperatures up to 150 °F. From December to April, it is cooler and pleasant, with indoor heating required at times, especially in the areas north of Dhahran. Rainfall in both Jeddah and Dhahran is sparse, about 3 – 4 inches a year concentrated in a few heavy showers during fall and spring.
Airports
204
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Green Coriander Salad

Main Dish

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History

Historical Eras

  1. Pre-Islamic Arabia

    3000 BCE – 622

    The Arabian Peninsula was home to ancient trade kingdoms such as the Nabataeans and the Sabaeans, as well as nomadic Bedouin tribal confederations. Mecca emerged as a significant religious and commercial center, housing the Kaaba. The birth of the Prophet Muhammad around 570 CE set the stage for a transformative religious revolution that would reshape the peninsula and the wider world.

  2. Early Islamic Era

    622 – 1517

    The Hijra of 622 CE marks the founding moment of the Islamic community, followed swiftly by pivotal events such as the Battle of Badr and the conquest of Mecca in 630. The holy cities of Mecca and Medina became the spiritual heart of an expanding empire. After Muhammad's death in 632, the peninsula passed through successive caliphates — Rashidun, Umayyad, and Abbasid — before fragmenting under local dynastic and tribal rule.

  3. Ottoman Suzerainty

    1517 – 1744

    The Ottoman Empire extended its authority over the Hejaz in 1517, assuming the role of guardian of Mecca and Medina and legitimizing its claim to the caliphate. Ottoman control over the interior of the peninsula remained nominal, and tribal powers operated with considerable autonomy. The construction of fortifications such as al-Ajyad Castle in Mecca symbolized Ottoman efforts to assert a physical presence in the region's most sacred territories.

  4. First & Second Saudi States

    1744 – 1902

    In 1744, the scholar Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab allied with tribal leader Muhammad ibn Saud in Diriyah, fusing Wahhabi religious reform with Saudi political ambition. The First Saudi State expanded dramatically, capturing Mecca and Medina in 1802–03, before Egyptian forces under Muhammad Ali crushed it in 1818. A Second Saudi State briefly revived Saud dominance from Riyadh but collapsed under pressure from the rival Al Rashid dynasty, forcing the Al Saud into exile in Kuwait by the 1890s.

  5. Unification & Kingdom

    1902 – 1973

    Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud recaptured Riyadh from the Al Rashid in 1902 and spent three decades consolidating the Arabian Peninsula, formally proclaiming the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. American geologists discovered oil in 1938, and the founding of Aramco began transforming one of the world's poorest desert kingdoms into an emerging petrostate. Vast oil revenues funded rapid modernization while the monarchy maintained strict Wahhabi religious governance and tribal-based statecraft.

  6. Oil Power & Modern State

    1973 – present

    The 1973 oil embargo demonstrated Saudi Arabia's commanding influence over global energy markets, and the kingdom leveraged petroleum wealth to build modern infrastructure, cities, and institutions at extraordinary speed. The 1979 seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca by Islamist militants, the Gulf War of 1991, and the domestic terrorist attacks of 2003 exposed persistent tensions between modernization and religious conservatism. Under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Vision 2030 has pursued sweeping economic diversification and social liberalization while the monarchy retains authoritarian political control.

Overview

Abd al Aziz ibn Abd ar Rahman Al Saud, founder of Saudi

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Timeline of Key Events

  1. 570

    Birth of Prophet Muhammd

    Birth of Prophet Muhammd, the later Prophet of Islam.

  2. 622

    Islamic Era began

    Islamic Era began. Mahomet began his flight from Mecca to Medina.

  3. 624

    The Battle of Badr

    Muslims engaged non-believers for the 1st time at the Battle of Badr.

  4. 630

    Mecca is conqured by Prophet Muhammads men

    Mecca is conquered by Prophet Muhammads men, and strong expansion is started towards first the Arab peninsular, later beyond in northern direction.

  5. 632

    Mohammed died

    Mohammed, the founder of Islam and unifier of Arabia, died.

  6. 702

    Ethiopian (Axumite) raiders occupy the port of Jeddah in modern-day Saudi Arabia

    Ethiopian (Axumite) raiders occupy the port of Jeddah in modern-day Saudi Arabia.

  7. 1400

    The Saud dynasty

    The Saud dynasty was founded near Riyadh.

View full timeline (59 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • The discovery of oil in the 1930s improved the country's economy tremendously, allowing the people to enjoy a high standard of living and an increasingly diverse economy.

  • Privacy is very important to the Saudi Arabians, so houses are built with big walls. When you visit the house of a Saudi Arabian you should stand at the door in such a way that ensures you cannot see inside. It is all right to enter when your host has signaled you by extending his right hand, palm up, and said Tafaddal, or “Come in”.

  • Today, Saudi Arabia's proven oil reserves are estimated at 260 billion barrels. This large figure clearly indicates the wealth of Saudi Arabia.

  • In keeping with the Sacred Scripture of the Quran, which does not allow depiction of people or animals, places of entertainment such as theatres and cinema are banned in Saudi Arabia.

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Geography and Environment

Saudi Arabia lies in the area known as the Middle-East the meeting place of the continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe. It occupies much of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about 830,000 square miles. The vast uninhabited Empty Quarter, al-Rub'al-Khali, is the largest single body of sand in the world. The principal cultivated areas are in the Asir Highlands in the Southwestern Province and in the Hasa Eastern Province along the Arabian Gulf.
Terrain
mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
Climate
Riyadh’s climate has a greater difference between winter and summer temperatures than elsewhere in the Kingdom. Riyadh has practically no humidity, making summers especially dry and dusty. Annual rainfall averages 2 to 4 inches, usually concentrated in a few torrential rainfalls in early spring. Winters produce moderate daytime temperatures from November through February. Evenings are sometimes cool enough to require residential heating. Jeddah, the commercial center, has a tropical climate — mild in winter and hot and very humid in summer. Summer lasts 8 to 10 months, with temperatures moderating in November. Relief from the heat often comes at sunset when sea breezes arrive. Except on the few occasions when it rains, the sun shines daily. Winter is comparable to the spring and summer seasons of resorts on the Mediterranean Sea. Dhahran’s climate, like that of Jeddah, is very humid, 60% – 90%, with summer lasting from April through October. The average maximum shade temperature in July and August is 110 °F, with "in sun" temperatures up to 150 °F. From December to April, it is cooler and pleasant, with indoor heating required at times, especially in the areas north of Dhahran. Rainfall in both Jeddah and Dhahran is sparse, about 3 – 4 inches a year concentrated in a few heavy showers during fall and spring.
Natural Hazards
frequent sand and dust storms
Current Environmental Issues
desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Arabic

  • Arabic

Population

Population
36,947,025
Population in Major Urban Areas
RIYADH (capital) 5.451 million; Jeddah 3.578 million; Mecca 1.591 million; Medina 1.142 million; Ad Dammam 941,000
Nationality Noun
Saudi(s)
Ethnic Groups
Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
SaudiArabia
Full Country Name
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Local - Long
Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
Local - Short
Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

Government Structure

Government Type
monarchy
Legal System
based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive Branch
chief of state: King and Prime Minister SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 23 January 2015); Crown Prince MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (son of the monarch, born 31 August 1985); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: King and Prime Minister SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 23 January 2015); Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud; note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes many royal family members; Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman serves as First Deputy Prime Minister and holds significant governing authority elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Legislative Branch
Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms); the body serves in an advisory capacity, reviewing legislation and government policies, but does not function as an elected parliament. In 2013, King Abdullah issued a royal decree reserving 20 percent of Majlis al-Shura seats for women, a landmark development that resulted in 30 women being appointed to the council. Municipal council elections have been held periodically, with the 2015 elections marking a significant milestone as Saudi women were permitted to vote and stand as candidates for the first time. The council may propose draft laws and review royal decrees, but ultimate legislative and executive authority remains with the monarch and the Council of Ministers. There are no political parties in Saudi Arabia, and all members of the Majlis al-Shura continue to be appointed rather than elected.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Council of Justice
Suffrage
none
Constitution
governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993
Independence
23 September 1932 (Unification of the Kingdom)
National Holiday
Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

Capital City

Capital Name
Riyadh
Capital - geographic coordinate
24 39 N, 46 42 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

the name derives from the Arabic word "riyadh," meaning "gardens," and refers to various oasis towns in the area that merged to form the city

Military

Branches: Ministry of Defense and Aviation Forces: Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes Marine Forces and Special Forces), Royal Saudi Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya as-Sa'udiya), Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Rocket Forces, Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

U.S. Embassy Riyadh

Abdullah Ibn Hudhafah As Sahmi Street, Roundabout no. 9, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh

Telephone: (966) (011) 488-3800

Fax: (966) (011) 483-0773

Emergency after-hours telephone: (966) (011) 488-3800

U.S. Consulate General Dhahran

Between KFUPM and King Abdulaziz Airbase, Dhahran

Telephone: (966) (13) 330-3200

Fax: (966) (13) 330-6816

Emergency after-hours telephone: (966) (13) 330-3200

U.S. Consulate General Jeddah

Falasteen Street intersecting with Al-Andalus Street, Jeddah

Telephone: (966) (12) 667-0080

Fax: (966) (12) 669-3098

Emergency after-hours telephone: (966) (12) 667-0080

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Economy

Saudi Arabia has a high-income, oil-based economy with significant government oversight of major economic activities, though the kingdom has been steadily liberalizing its markets under the Vision 2030 reform program launched in 2016.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Saudi Riyal (SAR)
GDP — official exchange rate
$264,000,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
6.1%
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News & Weather

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Latest News

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Climate Overview

Riyadh’s climate has a greater difference between winter and summer temperatures than elsewhere in the Kingdom. Riyadh has practically no humidity, making summers especially dry and dusty. Annual rainfall averages 2 to 4 inches, usually concentrated in a few torrential rainfalls in early spring. Winters produce moderate daytime temperatures from November through February. Evenings are sometimes cool enough to require residential heating.

Jeddah, the commercial center, has a tropical climate — mild in winter and hot and very humid in summer. Summer lasts 8 to 10 months, with temperatures moderating in November. Relief from the heat often comes at sunset when sea breezes arrive. Except on the few occasions when it rains, the sun shines daily. Winter is comparable to the spring and summer seasons of resorts on the Mediterranean Sea.

Dhahran’s climate, like that of Jeddah, is very humid, 60% – 90%, with summer lasting from April through October. The average maximum shade temperature in July and August is 110 °F, with "in sun" temperatures up to 150 °F. From December to April, it is cooler and pleasant, with indoor heating required at times, especially in the areas north of Dhahran.

Rainfall in both Jeddah and Dhahran is sparse, about 3 – 4 inches a year concentrated in a few heavy showers during fall and spring.

Videos

2 curated YouTube videos.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Saudi Arabia?
The population of Saudi Arabia is approximately 36.9M.
How do people greet each other in Saudi Arabia?
A handshake with the right hand is the most common greeting, accompanied by "As-Salaamu Alaykum" (peace be upon you). Greetings between opposite genders are not the norm, so wait for the other person to initiate. Do: Shake with the right hand and say "As-Salaamu Alaykum" Let the other person initiate when greeting the opposite gender Greet the oldest person first when visiting a home Don't: Don't assume you should shake hands with a woman Men who are close friends or family may exchange cheek kisses Women may exchange verbal greetings, cheek kisses, or hugs if close
What are the dining customs in Saudi Arabia?
Food is eaten with the fingers of the right hand only, and the main meal is in mid-afternoon. Coffee or tea is served before meals, and common dishes include Kabsah (rice and lamb). Do: Eat with the fingers of your right hand Accept coffee or tea served before the meal Accept food or drink offered by your host Don't: Don't eat pork or drink alcohol (Muslims abstain) Don't eat with the left hand Don't refuse offered food or drink, as it may seem impolite Bread may be torn with the left hand but is eaten with the right Kabsah (rice and lamb) is a favorite dish throughout the country
What etiquette should I know when visiting a Saudi home?
Show respect through hospitality customs: bring a small gift, remove your shoes, and defer to elders. Saudi Arabia is known for treating guests with great respect and generosity. Do: Bring a small gift such as dates, chocolates, or flowers Remove your shoes before entering Greet and show deference to the oldest person Address elders as "Sheikh" (men) or "Sheikha" (women) with their first name Don't: Don't raise sensitive topics like politics, religion, or personal matters unless the host does Don't ignore separate seating areas for men and women Focus conversation on family, culture, food, and general interests Arrive on time, but be prepared for events to start later than scheduled Follow your host's lead on seating; you may be offered indoor slippers
How should I dress in Saudi Arabia?
Dress conservatively and modestly, as modesty is of utmost importance even in summer heat. Avoid tight or revealing clothing. Do: Men: wear long pants and shirts with sleeves Women: cover arms and legs, and wear a headscarf (hijab) if Muslim Dress modestly in public and in homes Don't: Don't wear tight or revealing clothing Saudi women often wear an "abaaya" and veil their faces in public Saudi men typically wear a headdress ("ghutua") and a long white "thobe"
Are there gestures to avoid in Saudi Arabia?
Avoid pointing, using the left hand, and showing the sole of your foot, as these are considered rude. Do: Use both hands when passing something to someone Don't: Don't point with your finger or signal with your hand Don't make gestures or pass items with the left hand alone Don't point the bottom of your foot toward another person
What should I know about family and gender customs in Saudi Arabia?
Separation of males and females is the norm, with many customs designed to protect a woman's modesty. Dating is not done, and marriages are usually arranged. Do: Respect the separation of men and women in public and social settings Don't: Don't expect men and women to socialize together in public Women are usually accompanied by a male relative in public Weddings are an Islamic ceremony followed by separate parties for men and women
What do people do for recreation in Saudi Arabia?
Popular activities include shopping malls, social gatherings for meals and coffee, outdoor desert activities, sports, cultural events, and religious activities. Malls offer shops, restaurants, cinemas, and air-conditioned relief from the heat Outdoor options include picnics, camping, hiking, desert safaris, sandboarding, and dune bashing Football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and cricket are popular, alongside camel racing and falconry Explore sites like Jeddah's Old Town, the Nabatean ruins of Al-Ula, and the Red Sea coastline
What is the capital of Saudi Arabia?
Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia and its largest city, serving as the political, administrative, and economic heart of the kingdom. Located in the central Najd region, the city rose to national prominence in 1902 when Abd al-Aziz bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud captured it and launched a campaign to unify the Arabian Peninsula. Today, Riyadh is a sprawling modern metropolis that balances rapid urban development with deep-rooted cultural and religious traditions.
Where is Saudi Arabia located?
Saudi Arabia is located in the Middle East, occupying the vast majority of the Arabian Peninsula in southwestern Asia. It is the largest country in the region and one of the largest in the world by land area, stretching from the Red Sea coast in the west to the Arabian Gulf in the east. The country's strategic position at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe has historically made it a significant center of trade, religion, and geopolitical influence.
What countries border Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia shares land borders with eight countries: Jordan and Iraq to the north, Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, Bahrain (via a causeway), and the United Arab Emirates to the east, Oman to the southeast, and Yemen to the south. The kingdom also has extensive coastlines along the Red Sea to the west and the Arabian Gulf to the east. These borders reflect Saudi Arabia's central role in both the Arab world and broader regional geopolitics.
What religion is practiced in Saudi Arabia?
Islam is the official and overwhelmingly dominant religion of Saudi Arabia, with essentially the entire population identifying as Muslim. The kingdom holds unique religious significance as the birthplace of Islam and the site of its two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. Islamic law and customs profoundly shape daily life, governance, and cultural practices. Saudi Arabia also serves as custodian of the Grand Mosque in Mecca and hosts millions of Muslim pilgrims each year during the Hajj.
What is the currency of Saudi Arabia?
The official currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal, with the ISO code SAR. The riyal has been pegged to the US dollar since 1986, providing monetary stability that supports the kingdom's oil-driven economy. The discovery of oil in the 1930s transformed Saudi Arabia's financial landscape dramatically, enabling a high standard of living and funding diversification efforts that continue today through initiatives such as Vision 2030.
What language is spoken in Saudi Arabia?
Arabic is the official and primary language of Saudi Arabia, spoken in its Modern Standard form in government, education, and media, while various regional dialects are used in everyday conversation. The Hejazi, Najdi, and Gulf Arabic dialects are among the most widely spoken across different parts of the kingdom. English is commonly used in business, higher education, and the oil industry, reflecting Saudi Arabia's extensive international commercial ties.
What is Saudi Arabia's geography and terrain like?
Saudi Arabia is a vast country covering a large portion of the Arabian Peninsula, characterized by dramatic geographic diversity. Much of the interior is dominated by the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter), the world's largest continuous sand desert, while the Hejaz and Asir mountain ranges run along the western Red Sea coast. The landscape also includes rocky plateaus, fertile oases, and extensive coastal plains. This largely arid terrain means that water scarcity has historically been a defining challenge for settlement and agriculture.
What is Saudi Arabia known for?
Saudi Arabia is known above all for its vast oil reserves, estimated at approximately 260 billion barrels — among the largest proven reserves in the world — which have made it a dominant force in global energy markets and a founding member of OPEC. The kingdom is equally renowned as the spiritual center of Islam, drawing millions of pilgrims annually to Mecca and Medina. Culturally, Saudi Arabia is recognized for its tradition of elaborate hospitality, Arabic coffee and date ceremonies, and historic sites such as the UNESCO-listed Nabataean city of Hegra (Al-Hijr) in the northwest.

Last reviewed 2026

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