The Characteristics Of Saudi Arabia

1. The Characteristics Of Saudi Arabia Maryam Abbas Humanities 8D

2. Physical Location • Saudi Arabia has an area of about 865,000 square miles. • It is roughly one-third the size of the continental United States, and the same size as all of Western Europe. • It extends from the Red Sea on the West to the Arabian Gulf in the East.

3. Climate(Physical Slide 2) • Saudi Arabia has a typical desert climate • It is hot during the day time, and cold at nights • Summers can be extremely hot with temperatures rising up to 130ºF (55ºC) in some areas • Sandstorms blow everywhere in the country, and some can last for days • Winters are quite cold with an average of 39-64 ºF (4-18ºC) • Humidity can reach up to 100% on the coastal lines

4. Desert(Physical Slide 3) • 95% of Saudi Arabia is desert • The deserts are all sandy, and they are different compare to the ones in Qatar which are all rocky • Rub’ Al Khali, which means “Empty Quarter”, is the largest desert in the world • It is one of the most harsh places on earth, and entirely uninhabitable.

5. Social • Muslims make up 99% of the population of Saudi Arabia • The population is divided into Arabs and Bedouins • Bedouins are the people that keep up with the nomadic lifestyles

6. People and Customs(Social Slide 2) • Arabic is the official religion of Saudi Arabia, but English is widely spoken • The majority of the Muslims in Saudi Arabia are Sunni • There are many strict regulations in this country • Women do not have the freedom to go out often, and they must wear Hijab at all times. • The women are also not allowed to drive. In fact, Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world with this ban

7. Culture(Social Slide 3) • The Saudi Arabian culture mainly revolves around their official religion which is Islam • Islam’s two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, are located this country • Five times a day Muslims are called for prayer in mosques, which are scattered all around the country • The “Al-Ardha” is the Country’s national dance. This sword dance is based on Bedouin traditions

8. Economy • Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government control over major economic activities • Saudi Arabia possesses 25% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum • Roughly five and a half million people play an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service sectors • Saudi Arabia officially has about 260 billion barrels of oil reserves, comprising about 24% of the world's proven total petroleum reserves

9. Oil(Economy Slide 2) • Saudi Arabia is the world’s most important oil producer • Roughly 5.5 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors • The government is trying to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil and to increase employment opportunities for the growth of Saudi’s population

10. Political(Government) • The Basic Law of Government adopted in 1992 declared that Saudi is a monarchy ruled by the sons and grandsons of the first king, Abd Al Aziz Al Hoati • It also claims that the Quran is the constitution, 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 government in the world

11. Government(Continued Slide 2) Executive Branch: • Chief of state: King and Prime Minister Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005) • Head of government: King and Prime Minister Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005) The monarch is both the chief of state and head of government

12. Government(Continued Slide 3) Legislative Branch- • Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms) Judicial Branch- • Supreme Council of Justice

13. Analysis- Social • Bedouins are the people that keep up with the nomadic lifestyles The Bedouins are the ones that spread their traditions around Saudi Arabia because of their nomadic lifestyles. It is because of them that the core traditions are maintained within Saudi Arabia. Arabic, which is the official language, came from the Bedouins traditions.

14. Analysis- Economic • Saudi Arabia is the world’s most important oil producer Saudi Arabia is helping many countries around the world. This is because of being one of the top producers of oil. Oil products are used in many ways in today’s modern world. Transportation is an important part in everyone’s daily lives. Petroleum is used for cars, without it, people wouldn’t have been able to get from one place to another. Oil can also be used to generate electricity, which is why we have lights today. Many plastic products are also based on petroleum.

15. Analysis- Political • The government claims that the Quran is the constitution, which is governed on the basis of the Sharia (Islamic Law) The constitution of Saudi is based on Islamic law. It helps because 99% of the people are Muslim, they have an advantage of staying up to date with their religion, as well as following the constitution at the same time.

16. Bibliography • http://www.arab.net/saudi/sa_climate.htm • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabuk • http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/california/images/s/california-deserts.jpg • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rub'_al_Khali • http://i-cias.com/e.o/saudi_4.htm • http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/saudi-arabia-country-profile.html • http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1012.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_arabia#Economy