2003 Edition

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

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.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

209 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

31 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 2

total

71

under 914 m

2 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24

Airports - with unpaved runways

over 3047 m

1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 39 1,524 to 2,437 m: 79

total

138

under 914 m

13 (2002)

Area

land

1,960,582 sq km

total

1,960,582 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US

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

Birth rate

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

Budget

expenditures

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

revenues

$46 billion

Capital

Riyadh

Climate

harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes

Coastline

2,640 km

Constitution

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

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

Currency

Saudi riyal (SAR)

Currency code

SAR

Death rate

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

Debt - external

$25.9 billion (2003 est.)

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud

consulate(s) general

Houston, Los Angeles, and New York

telephone

[1] (202) 342-3800

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

Economic aid - donor

pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon; since 2000, Saudi Arabia has committed $307 million for assistance to the Palestinians; pledged $240 million to development in Afghanistan

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.

Electricity - consumption

113.8 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

122.4 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

100%

hydro

0%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m

lowest point

Persian Gulf 0 m

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

Ethnic groups

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Exchange rates

Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.75 (2002), 3.75 (2001), 3.75 (2000), 3.75 (1999), 3.75 (1998)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes many royal family members

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

Exports

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

Exports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products 90%

Exports - partners

US 18.6%, Japan 15.6%, South Korea 10.1%, Singapore 5.1%, China 4.6% (2002)

FAX

[966] (1) 488-7360

consulate(s) general

Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Saudi Arabia

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

GDP

purchasing power parity - $268.9 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

5.2%

industry

51.2%

services

43.6% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $11,400 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1% (2002 est.)

Geographic coordinates

25 00 N, 45 00 E

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

Government type

monarchy

Heliports

5 (2002) Military Saudi Arabia

Highways

paved

45,592 km

total

151,470 km

unpaved

105,878 km (1999)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.01% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Illicit drugs

death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin, cocaine, and hashish This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Imports

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

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

US 11.2%, Japan 8.8%, Germany 7.6%, UK 4.9%, France 4.9%, Italy 4.1% (2002)

Independence

23 September 1932 (Unification of the Kingdom)

Industrial production growth rate

1% (1997 est.)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

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

male

50.1 deaths/1,000 live births

total

47.94 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1% (2002 est.)

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)

Internet country code

.sa

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

22 (2003)

Internet users

1.453 million (2002) Transportation Saudi Arabia

Irrigated land

16,200 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Council of Justice

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.)

Land boundaries

border countries

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

total

4,431 km

Land use

arable land

1.72%

other

98.22% (1998 est.)

permanent crops

0.06%

Languages

Arabic

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

70.55 years (2003 est.)

male

66.99 years

total population

68.73 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

70.8% (2003 est.) Government Saudi Arabia

male

84.7%

total population

78.8%

Location

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

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

18 NM

continental shelf

not specified

territorial sea

12 NM

Median age

female

16.8 years (2002)

male

20.9 years

total

18.8 years

Merchant marine

convenience

Egypt 3, Finland 1, Greece 3, Kuwait 1, Sudan 1, UAE 1, UK 3 (2002 est.)

note

includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of

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

total

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

Military branches

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

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$18.3 billion (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

13% (FY00) Transnational Issues Saudi Arabia

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 - military age

17 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

253,685 (2003 est.)

National holiday

Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

Nationality

adjective

Saudi or Saudi Arabian

noun

Saudi(s)

Natural gas - consumption

53.69 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

53.69 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

6.339 trillion cu m (37257)

Natural hazards

frequent sand and dust storms

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

Net migration rate

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

Oil - consumption

1.452 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

8.711 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

261.7 billion bbl (37257)

Pipelines

condensate 212 km; gas 837 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,187 km; oil 5,062 km; refined products 69 km (2003)

Political parties and leaders

none allowed

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Population

24,293,844

note

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

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

3.27% (2003 est.)

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

Radio broadcast stations

AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios

6.25 million (1997)

Railways

standard gauge

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

total

1,392 km

Religions

Muslim 100%

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.22 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

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

Suffrage

none

Telephone system

domestic

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

general assessment

modern system

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)

Telephones - main lines in use

3.9 million (2002 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.9 million (2002 est.)

Television broadcast stations

117 (1997)

Televisions

5.1 million (1997)

Terrain

mostly uninhabited, sandy desert

Total fertility rate

6.15 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

25% (2002)

Waterways

none