Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia (Arabic: السعودية‎ as-Su‘ūdīyah or incorrectly as-Sa‘ūdīyah, officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arabic: المملكة العربية السعودية‎ al-Mamlakah al-‘Arabīyah as-Su‘ūdīyah Arabic pronunciation (help·info)), commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia ( ⁱ/ˌ s aʊ d i ə ˈ r eɪ b i ʌ / or in American English as ⁱ/ˌ s ɔː d iː ə ˈ r eɪ b iː ʌ /) is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World, after Algeria. It is bordered by Jordan, and Iraq on the north and northeast, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on the east, Oman on the southeast, and Yemen on the south.The Red Sea lies to its west, and the Persian Gulf lies to the northeast. Saudi Arabia has an area of approximately 2,149,690 km² (830,000 sq mi), and it has an estimated population of 27 million, of which 8.8 million are registered foreign expatriates and an estimated 1.5 million are illegal immigrants. Saudi nationals comprise an estimated 16 million people.

RIYADH is the Capital of Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh

Riyadh (pronounced [riˈjɑːd]; Arabic: الرياض‎ transliterated Ar Riyāḍ pronounced [irriˈjɑːdˤ], English: The Gardens) is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a region with a population of close to 7 million people. The city is divided into 15 municipal districts, managed by Riyadh Municipality headed by the mayor of Riyadh, and the Riyadh Development Authority, chaired by the Governor of Riyadh Province, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz. The current mayor of Riyadh is Abdul Aziz ibn Ayyaf Al-Miqrin, appointed in 1998.

Culture

Saudi Arabia is a very conservative country with centuries-old attitudes and traditions, often derived from Arab tribal culture. This conservative tendency has been bolstered by the austerely puritanical Wahhabi form of Islam, which arose in the eighteenth century and now predominates in the country. The many limitations on behaviour and dress are strictly enforced both legally and socially. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited, for example, and there is no theatre or public exhibition of films. Public expression of opinion about domestic political or social matters is discouraged. There are no organizations such as political parties or labour unions to provide public forums.

Dress

Ghutrah (Arabic: غتره‎) is a traditional headdress typically worn by Arab men. It is made of a square of cloth ("scarf"), usually cotton, folded and wrapped in various styles around the head. It is commonly worn in areas with an arid climate, to provide protection from direct sun exposure, and also protection of the mouth and eyes from blown dust and sand.

Agal (Arabic: عقال‎) is an Arab headdress constructed of cord which is fastened around the Ghutrah to hold it in place. The agal is usually black in colour.

Thawb (Arabic: ثوب‎) is the standard Arabic word for garment. It is ankle length, usually with long sleeves similar to a robe.

Bisht (Arabic: بشت‎) is a traditional Arabic men’s cloak usually only worn for prestige on special occasions such as weddings.

Abaya (Arabic: عباية‎) is a women's garment. It is a black cloak which loosely covers the entire body except the head.

Politics

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy,^[49] although, according to the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia adopted by royal decree in 1992, the king must comply with Sharia (that is, Islamic law) and the Quran. The Quran and the Sunnah (the traditions of Muhammad) are declared to be the country's constitution, but no written modern constitution has ever been written for Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia remains the only Arab Nation where no national elections have ever taken place, since its creation.^[50] No political parties or national elections are permitted^[49] and according to The Economist's 2010 Democracy Index, the Saudi government is the seventh most authoritarian regime from among the 167 countries rated.^[51]

On 25 September 2011, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has announced that women will have the right to stand and vote in future local elections and join the advisory Shura council as full member and be able to run as candidates in the municipal election.

Climate

Saudi Arabia occupies about 80 percent of the Arabian peninsula,^[153] lying between latitudes16° and 33° N, and longitudes 34° and 56° E. Because the country's southern borders with the United Arab Emirates and Oman are not precisely defined or marked, the exact size of the country remains unknown.^[153] The CIA World Factbook's estimate is 2,149,690 km²(830,000 sq mi) and lists Saudi Arabia as the world's 13th largest state.

Al-Masjid al-Haram (The Holy Mosque)

Mecca

The holiest mosque in the world, the Haram Mosque has been much expanded from its original 7th-century form. Today it can accommodate up to 820,000 worshippers in air-conditioned comfort.

The Ka'ba

Mecca

The Ka'ba is believed to have been built by Abraham and his son Ishmael. Enshrining a sacred stone, it is said to be first place on earth that was created. It is the directional focus of worldwide Muslim prayers.

The Prophet's Mosque

Medina

This huge mosque stands over the site of the Prophet Muhammad's house and tomb and is the second holiest mosque in the world after al-Haram in Mecca.

Vegetation of southwestern mountains, particularly in Asir and surrounding areas, is dense and consists of species with North East African affinity. Juniperus procera, Olea europaea, Acacia asak, Acacia seyal, Teclea nobilis, Nuxia oppositifolia, Nuxia spp. along with Euryops arabicus, Lavandula dentata, Rumex nervosus, Dodonaea angustifolia, Cluytia myricoides, etc are the dominant plants of high altitude areas. Slopes of the mountains also posses a dense vegetation, mostly dominated by Acacia asak, Maesa lanceolata, Carrisa edulis, Delonix elata, Acacia hamulosa, Cadia purpurea, etc. The ravines and gullies at lower levels also posses a relatively dense vegetation, mostly dominated by Ficus palmata ssp.salicifolia, Acacia etbaica, Cadia purpurea, Ziziphus spina-christi and a number succulents such asCaralluma, Sansevieria, Ceropegia, etc.

Vegetation of the northern part of the country is also dominated by annual species. However, perennial components such as salsola spp., Traganum nudatum, Haloxylon salicornicum, Haloxylon persicum, Artemisia spp., Zilla spinosa, etc. are forming large communities in all range lands. In general, the entire area is divided into Nafud, Hammad, Harrah, Widyan, El-Shama and Wadi Sirhan, each of which has a characteristic vegetation.

The mountains on the western and northwestern regions are discontinuous. Vegetation on high altitude areas of these mountains is dominated by Juniperus phoenicea, Olea europaea, Acacia etbaica, Commiphora spp., Prunus korschiniskii, Launaea acanthodes, etc. Wadis and foothills are sparsely vegetated. Scattered populations of Acacia tortilis, Maerua crassifolia, Ficus palmata, Moringa peregrina, Ocharadenus baccatus, etc. can be seen in these areas.