Saudi Arabia: Key Facts and Statistics

Saudi Arabia is the largest Arab state by land area (approximately 2,150,000 km2 (830,000 sq mi)), constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.

  • Full name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Location: The Middle East, bordering Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
  • Population: 28.7 million (UN, 2012)
  • Capital: Riyadh
  • Area: 2.24 million sq km (864,869 sq miles)
  • Climate: harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
  • Major language: Arabic
  • Major religion: Islam
  • Monetary unit: 1 Riyal = 100 halalah
  • Main exports: Oil, gas, cereals
  • GNI per capita: US $17,820 (World Bank, 2011)
  • Internet domain: .sa
  • International dialling code: +966
  • National Airlines: Saudi Arabian Airlines operating as Saudia is the flag carrier airline of Saudi Arabia

The press

  • Al-Watan – Abha-based daily
  • Al-Riyadh – Riyadh-based daily
  • Okaz – Jeddah-based daily
  • Al-Jazirah – Riyadh-based daily
  • Al-Sharq – Riyadh-based daily
  • Al-Hayat – Saudi pan-Arab daily, based in London
  • Al-Sharq al-Awsat – Saudi pan-Arab daily, based in London, site in English
  • Arab News – Jeddah-based English-language daily
  • Saudi Gazette – Jeddah-based English-language daily