Cultural Scrapbook Saudi Arabia

1. Cultural ScrapbookSaudi Arabia Eduardo Tecla Geography Honors

2. Saudi Arabia Flag • Green is Islamic • White is Islamic faith • Sword meaning justice and the 1st king of Saudi Arabia • White translated meaning "There is no God but Allah and Mohammad is the Prophet of Allah"

3. Geography • It’s ¼ of the size of the United States • It’s the 12th largest country in the world • The Red Sea lies in the west • The Arabian Gulf ( Persian Gulf ) lies in the east • Most mountains lie in the southwest • No Major Rivers or Lakes • Deserts control the east and south • The country is an arid plain of sand and rock that is barren as well as dry • The largest desert in the world is Rub’ Al Khali • With some green oases and cultivated fields irrigation is possible • This country’s natural resources are crude oil, natural gas, iron ore, gold, and copper

4. Climate • Weather here is hot • In May and October has the hottest temperatures • 110 degrees F • In December and January has the coldest temperatures • 70 degrees F and at night drops down to freezing • Deserts climate have sandstorms, extremes in temperatures and intense heat • Temperatures are higher inland compared to the coastal area • Inland temperatures are hot with intense heat • Coastal areas are a little cooler but greater humidity

5. Population / Ethnic Facts • Saudi Arabia’s population is about 29.2 million • About 5.6 million aren’t citizens • Most of them come from Islamic countries • The country wants to change the non-citizens with citizens • Saudi nations are about 80% of the population • 90% are Arabs and 10% are Afro-Asian heritage • Afro- Asian are from Islamic countries • Arabs are from nomadic tribes • 82% of the population in live Urban areas • Growth rate is 1.75%

6. Government • Divided into 13 regions know as governorates • Each are headed by a Prince-Governor • As well as Emir who answers to the King • King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud who is Prime Minster, head of state, and head of government • The king runs the country with a council of ministers • After the current King the princes choose the next king out of 500

7. Health Care • Health care is improving quickly • There is free medical attention to all citizens and Hajj pilgrims • Most hospitals grown in cities and rural places

8. Language • Arabic is the dominate language • Other languages include English • English is spoken only or solely of the reason of business and educated circles • Arabic comes the Qur’an ( Koran ) the scripture of Islam • No other languages are included due to the fact that there isn’t enough to make 1%

9. Religion • Islam is the only legal religion is Saudi Arabia • Islam is the teaching of Muhammad • There are two sacred cities where non-Muslims are not allowed in • They are called Makkah and Al Madínah • As being religious thousands Muslims complete a pilgrimage ( Hajj ) • The Hajj is done seven times • Each time the head back and forth to the Ka’abahin Makkah • During the Hajj men where a white two piece towel like garment that is called Ihram and women can’t wear a veil • The Ka’abah is a stone building that contain a black sacred stone that was there before the advent of Islam • There God is Allah

10. Religion Continued • On Friday Muslims go to the mosque to pray • Men go and so do women but women sit in areas where there can’t be any men • So most women stay home and pray • Five Pillars of Islam- • Doing five daily prayers • A once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage • Shahada (Allah) only god • Muhammad messenger • Zakat giving to the poor • Fasting in the month of Ramadan • 90% of the Saudi citizens are Muslims including the Royal Family belong to the Sunni branch of Islam • 10% are Shi’I Muslims are never to change their religion

11. Greeting • Muslims usually give a handshake and say As-Salaamu 'Alaykum (Peace be upon you) • Men will also put their left hand on the right shoulder of the other man • Kissing in the right and left cheek is done as well • Greetings are different for the person by the relationship and social status • When a man is accompanied by a women with a veil he doesn’t introduce her • Also he expects that the other man not to handshake her hand • Sabah al-Khairmeans “Good morning” • Mesah al-Khairmeans “Good evening”

12. Gestures • Using the Left hand is very impolite • Using the Right hand is okay • When passing items use both or right hand very left hand • When telling someone to come one puts the palm down and waves the fingers back and forth • It is impolite to point a finger and to point one’s foot at an other person • It is also rude to have the ankle go over the knee but it’s okay when having the legs crossed

13. Holidays • National Day is on September 23rd • Lunar Calendars tell Islamic Holidays • A three day feast is at the Ramadan known as Eid al Fitr • Eid al Adha the day of Sacrifice of Abraham’s son and annual Hajj • Saudis secretly celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic New Year • Since they are celebrated by the Saudis it is considered unacceptable • During the Eid al Fitreating, drinking, and smoking is not done in the the day hours only in the predawn and night hours

14. Rite of Passage • Since there is the separation of sexes dating is unheard of • But in urban areas both genders can choose their mate • An Islamic wedding there is two parties one for men and one for women • Men pay dowry and marry extended family members to keep their social status • A man can marry up to four women but have only one wife • A wife is expected to bring chastity in a marriage • The man when married to more than one wife he has to be equal to all and is given consent by his wife’s • Saudis hardly intermarry and don’t marry foreigners most of the time

15. Life Cycle • When a baby is born it is time to celebrate • When the baby is boy this is especially happy • The birth is given at the home or hospital • The mother returns to her parents home and stays to recover • The baby’s name is given the grandparent’s name • Often the baby was already engaged to another but this is no longer done because it is no longer practiced • Death is nothing • Death to someone is God’s will and the soul’s way to get to paradise • Too much mourning is never okay and the body is quickly buried and is given a blank grave stone

16. Food / Diet • Food is mildly spicy • Most common food is rice with lamb or chicken • Kabsahis rice with meat and is most popular • Rice is served with vegetables and with salad • Desserts are fruits with dates • Drinks is tea and bitter coffee are served before the meal • Buttermilk and camel’s milk as well is popular • There is a variety of fish making sea food popular in coastal areas • Muslims don’t eat pork and don’t drink alcohol

17. Clothing • Male clothing is almost similar to female • Men wear garments that is loose and is almost worn like a dress all the way to the ankle • Summer clothes are white made of cotton and winter clothes are black made of wool known as Thobe • And where a Tagiyah like a cap and has a belt like rope around the waist and scarf to cover the face • Women wear Thobe but has designs and wear a veil • Wearing trousers under the Thobe that almost completely covers the body

18. Sports / Recreation • Soccer is the most popular sports in Saudi Arabia • Men can only play and can only watch in the stands and stadium • Young men play volley ball, basketball, swimming, wrestling, and roller skating • Horse racing is enjoyed but no betting • Falconry hunting for small game • Women don’t play sports and don’t do leisure but visit other women • Girls play volley ball and other sports in school • Women go with their family to family outings • DVDs are popular but there are no theaters and there are only certain DVDs due to Islamic laws

19. Arts • Literature and poetry are cherished art • Today stories are published and are told orally • The Qur’an is the inspiration of everything especially art • Other arts are jewelry, embroidery, textiles, architecture, and decoration of weapons • Music is vocal • Al-mizmar is similar to an oboe • Rebaba is a one stringed instrument, and drums • The national dance is called al-ardah known as the sword dance for men • Jenadriyah Heritage and Culture Festival features camel racing, dancing, music, and poetry

20. Pictures

23. Work Cited • http://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country.php?contid=3&wmn=Asia&cid=139&cn=Saudi_Arabia • http://www.saudinf.com/main/q031.htm