Introduction Saudi Arabia --

Background:

In 1902, ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud captured Riyadh and set out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian Peninsula. In the 1930s, the discovery of oil transformed the country. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all major governmental concerns.

Geography Saudi Arabia --

Location:

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen

Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 45 00 E

Map references: Middle East

Area:

total: 1,960,582 sq km

water: 0 sq km

land: 1,960,582 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US

Land boundaries:

total: 4,431 km

border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km

Coastline:

2,640 km

Maritime claims:

contiguous zone: 18 NM

continental shelf: not specified

territorial sea: 12 NM

Climate:

harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes

Terrain:

mostly uninhabited, sandy desert

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

Land use:

arable land: 1.72%

permanent crops: 0.06%

other: 98.22% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land:

16,200 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

frequent sand and dust storms

Environment - current 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

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal

People Saudi Arabia --

Population: 24,293,844

note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2003 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 42.3% (male 5,245,413; female 5,028,595)

15-64 years: 54.8% (male 7,700,121; female 5,622,099)

65 years and over: 2.9% (male 393,173; female 304,443) (2003 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.8 years

male: 20.9 years

female: 16.8 years (2002)

Population growth rate:

3.27% (2003 est.)

Birth rate:

37.2 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate:

5.79 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Net migration rate:

1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.37 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.29 male(s)/female

total population: 1.22 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 47.94 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 45.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male: 50.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 68.73 years

male: 66.99 years

female: 70.55 years (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.15 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.01% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Saudi(s)

adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian

Ethnic groups:

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Religions:

Muslim 100%

Languages:

Arabic

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 78.8%

male: 84.7%

female: 70.8% (2003 est.)

Government Saudi Arabia --

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

conventional short form: Saudi Arabia

local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

Government type:

monarchy

Capital:

Riyadh

Administrative divisions:

13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk

Independence:

23 September 1932 (Unification of the Kingdom)

National holiday:

Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

Constitution:

governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993

Legal system:

based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

none

Executive branch:

chief of state: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary

head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); 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

Legislative branch:

Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (120 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Council of Justice

Political parties and leaders:

none allowed

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BIS, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud

chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York

telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. JORDAN

embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh

mailing address: American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693

telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800

FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360

consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

Flag description:

green with large white Arabic script (that may be translated as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); green is the traditional color of Islam

Economy Saudi Arabia --

Economy - overview:

This is an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world (26% of the proved reserves), ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 25% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 4 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service sectors. The government in 1999 announced plans to begin privatizing the electricity companies, which follows the ongoing privatization of the telecommunications company. The government is supporting private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population. Priorities for government spending in the short term include additional funds for the water and sewage systems and for education. Water shortages and rapid population growth constrain the government's efforts to increase self-sufficiency in agricultural products.

GDP:

purchasing power parity - $242 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.6% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $10,500 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 5.2%

industry: 51.2%

services: 43.6% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1% (2002)

Labor force:

7 million

note: 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 12%, industry 25%, services 63% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

25% (2002)

Budget:

revenues: $46 billion

expenditures: $56.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2003 est.)

Industries:

crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, construction, fertilizer, plastics

Industrial production growth rate:

1% (1997 est.)

Electricity - production:

122.4 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source:

fossil fuel: 100%

hydro: 0%

other: 0% (2001)

nuclear: 0%

Electricity - consumption:

113.8 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2001)

Oil - production:

8.711 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1.452 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA (2001)

Oil - imports:

NA (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

261.7 billion bbl (January 2002 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

6.339 trillion cu m (January 2002 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk

Exports:

$71 billion f.o.b. (2001)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum and petroleum products 90%

Exports - partners:

US 18.5%, Japan 15.8%, South Korea 10.3%, Singapore 5.4%, India 3.5% (2001)

Imports:

$39.5 billion f.o.b. (2001)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles

Imports - partners:

US 16.6%, Japan 10.4%, Germany 7.4%, UK 6.1% (2001)

Debt - external:

$25.9 billion (2003 est.)

Currency:

Saudi riyal (SAR)

Currency code:

SAR

Exchange rates:

Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.745 (2002), 3.745 (2001), 3.745 (2000), 3.745 (1999), 3.745 (1998)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Saudi Arabia --

Telephones - main lines in use:

3.9 million (2002 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2.9 million (2002 est.)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system

domestic: extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and fiber-optic cable systems

international: microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:

117 (1997)

Internet country code:

.sa

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

22 (2003)

Internet users:

1.453 million (2002)

Transportation Saudi Arabia --

Railways:

total: 1,392 km

standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) (2002)

Highways:

total: 146,524 km

paved: 44,104 km

unpaved: 102,420 km (1997 est.)

Waterways:

none

Pipelines:

crude oil 6,400 km; petroleum products 150 km; natural gas 2,200 km (includes natural gas liquids 1,600 km)

Ports and harbors:

Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh, Ra's al Khafji, Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Madinat Yanbu' al Sinaiyah

Merchant marine:

total: 71 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,461,964 GRT/2,301,258 DWT

ships by type: cargo 9, chemical tanker 11, container 4, livestock carrier 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 23, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 9, short-sea passenger 8

note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Egypt 3, Finland 1, Greece 3, Kuwait 1, Sudan 1, UAE 1, UK 3 (2002 est.)

Airports:

209 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 71

over 3,047 m: 31

2,438 to 3,047 m: 12

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2002)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 24

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 138

under 914 m: 13 (2002)

over 3047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 39

1,524 to 2,437 m: 79

Heliports:

5 (2002)

Military Saudi Arabia --

Military branches:

Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary)

Military manpower - military age:

17 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - availability:

males age 15-49: 6,123,784 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:

males age 15-49: 3,431,281 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:

males: 253,685 (2003 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$18.3 billion (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

13% (FY00)

Transnational Issues Saudi Arabia --

Disputes - international:

nomadic groups on border region with Yemen resist demarcation of boundary; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have been negotiating a long-contested maritime boundary with Iran; because the treaties have not been made public, the exact alignment of the boundary with the UAE is still unknown and labeled approximate

Illicit drugs:

death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin, cocaine, and hashish

This page was last updated on 1 August, 2003

From CIA: The World Factbook