2007 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: 38.2% (male 5,261,530/female 5,059,041) 15-64 years: 59.4% (male 9,159,519/female 6,895,616) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 342,020/female 302,005) (2006 est.)

Area

land

2,149,690 sq km

total

2,149,690 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US

Background

Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina, and the king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman AL SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. A male descendent of Ibn Saud, his son ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz, rules the country today as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. 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. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong on-going campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. King ABDALLAH has continued the cautious reform program begun when he was crown prince. To promote increased political participation, the government held elections nationwide from February through April 2005 - for half the members of 179 municipal councils. In December 2005, King ABDALLAH completed the process by appointing the remaining members of the advisory municipal councils. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds approximately 25% of the world's proven oil reserves. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in December 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the kingdom. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoing governmental concerns. Geography Saudi Arabia

Birth rate

29.34 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Capital

geographic coordinates

24 38 N, 46 43 E

name

Riyadh

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Climate

harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes

Coastline

2,640 km

Constitution

governed according to Shari'a 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

Death rate

2.58 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Executive branch

chief of state

King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch, born 5 January 1928) note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.01% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Independence

23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)

Infant mortality rate

female

10.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

14.71 deaths/1,000 live births

total

12.81 deaths/1,000 live births

Irrigated land

16,200 sq km (2003)

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

1.67%

other

98.24% (2005)

permanent crops

0.09%

Languages

Arabic

Legal system

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

77.78 years (2006 est.)

male

73.66 years

total population

75.67 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

19.4 years (2006 est.)

male

22.9 years

total

21.4 years

National holiday

Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

Nationality

adjective

Saudi or Saudi Arabian

noun

Saudi(s)

Natural hazards

frequent sand and dust storms

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

Net migration rate

-4.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Population

27,019,731

note

includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2006 est.)

Population growth rate

2.18% (2006 est.)

Religions

Muslim 100%

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.2 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.33 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/female

Suffrage

adult male citizens age 21 or older

note

voter registration began in November 2004 for partial municipal council elections held nationwide from February through April 2005

Terrain

mostly uninhabited, sandy desert

Total fertility rate

4 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

208 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

32 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 2

total

73

under 914 m

2 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

over 3,047 m

1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 75 914 to 1,523 m: 40

total

135

under 914 m

12 (2006)

Budget

expenditures

$107.6 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2006 est.)

revenues

$189.2 billion

Currency (code)

Saudi riyal (SAR)

Currency code

SAR

Current account balance

$103.8 billion (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$47.39 billion (2006 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador James C. OBERWETTER

embassy

Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh

mailing address

American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307;

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Ambassador Designate Adil al-Ahmed al-JUBAYR

telephone

[1] (202) 342-3800

Disputes - international

Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the now fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran

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 $230 million to development in Afghanistan; pledged $1 billion in export guarantees and soft loans to Iraq; pledged $133 million in direct grant aid, $187 million in concessional loans, and $153 million in export credits for Pakistan earthquake relief

Economy - overview

This is an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia possesses 25% of the world's proven petroleum 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 40% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 5.5 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors. The government is encouraging private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population. The government is promoting private sector and foreign participation in the power generation, telecom, natural gas, and petrochemical industries. As part of its effort to attract foreign investment and diversify the economy, Saudi Arabia acceded to the WTO in December 2005 after many years of negotiations. With high oil revenues enabling the government to post large budget surpluses, Riyadh has been able to substantially boost spending on job training and education, infrastructure development, and government salaries.

Electricity - consumption

144.4 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

155.2 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

100%

hydro

0%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Exchange rates

Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.745 (2006), 3.747 (2005), 3.75 (2004), 3.75 (2003), 3.75 (2002)

Exports

$204.5 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products 90%

Exports - partners

US 16.8%, Japan 16.5%, South Korea 9.3%, China 7.1%, Singapore 5.2%, Taiwan 4.3% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 944-3113

[966] (1) 488-3989

consulate(s) general

Houston, Los Angeles, New York

consulate(s) general

Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

Fiscal year

1 March - 28 February Communications Saudi Arabia

Flag description

green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (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); design dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932 Economy Saudi Arabia

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

3.3%

industry

67%

services

29.8% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$13,800 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5.9% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$286.2 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$374 billion (2006 est.)

Heliports

6 (2006)

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; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Imports

$64.16 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

US 14.8%, Japan 9%, Germany 8.2%, China 7.4%, UK 4.7% (2005)

Industrial production growth rate

1.9% (2006 est.)

Industries

crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals; ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics; metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.9% (2006 est.)

International Mail

P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693

telephone

[966] (1) 488-3800

International organization participation

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

Internet country code

.sa

Internet hosts

10,931 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

22 (2003)

Internet users

3.2 million (2006) Transportation Saudi Arabia

Investment (gross fixed)

16.2% of GDP (2006 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Council of Justice

Labor force

7.125 million

note

more than 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

12%

industry

25%

services

63% (1999 est.)

Legislative branch

Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (120 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms); note - in October 2003, Council of Ministers announced its intent to introduce elections for half of the members of local and provincial assemblies and a third of the members of the national Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura, incrementally over a period of four to five years; in November 2004, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs initiated voter registration for partial municipal council elections held nationwide from February through April 2005

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49

5,417,922 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

7,648,999

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49

4,659,347 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

6,592,709

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 18-49

234,500 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

247,334

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 5, chemical tanker 15, container 4, passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 9

foreign-owned

9 (Egypt 2, Kuwait 5, Sudan 1, UAE 1)

registered in other countries

55 (Bahamas 12, Comoros 3, Dominica 3, French Southern and Antarctic Lands 1, Liberia 24, Marshall Islands 1, Norway 3, Panama 8) (2006)

total

60 ships (1000 GRT or over) 837,272 GRT/1,064,377 DWT

Military branches

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

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$18 billion (2002)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

10% (2002) Transnational Issues Saudi Arabia

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2004)

Natural gas - consumption

65.68 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

65.68 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

6.654 trillion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

1.845 million bbl/day (2004)

Oil - exports

7.92 million bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - production

9.475 million bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

262.7 billion bbl (2006 est.)

Pipelines

condensate 212 km; gas 1,880 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,183 km; oil 4,531 km; refined products 1,150 km (2006)

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Population below poverty line

NA%

Ports and terminals

Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jiddah, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah Military Saudi Arabia

Public debt

32.5% of GDP (2006 est.)

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) (2005)

total

1,392 km

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin)

240,015 (Palestinian Territories) (2006)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$31.63 billion (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

45,461 km

total

152,044 km

unpaved

106,583 km (2000)

Telephone system

domestic

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

general assessment

modern system

international

country code - 966; 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

4.5 million (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular

13.3 million (2005)

Television broadcast stations

117 (1997)

Televisions

5.1 million (1997)

Trafficking in persons

current situation

Saudi Arabia is a destination country for workers from South and Southeast Asia who are subjected to conditions that constitute involuntary servitude including being subjected to physical and sexual abuse, non-payment of wages, confinement, and withholding of passports as a restriction on their movement; domestic workers are particularly vulnerable because some are confined to the house in which they work, unable to seek help; Saudi Arabia is also a destination country for Nigerian, Yemeni, Pakistani, Afghan, Somali, Malian, and Sudanese children trafficked for forced begging and involuntary servitude as street vendors; some Nigerian women were reportedly trafficked into Saudi Arabia for commercial sexual exploitation

tier rating

Tier 3 - Saudi Arabia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so

Unemployment rate

13% among Saudi males only (local bank estimate; some estimates range as high as 25%) (2004 est.)