Saudi Arabia is majorly a great plateau of crystalline rocks from the ancient times. These rocks are chiefly composed of sand and limestone. It rose sharply from the coastal plain of the Red Sea and reached its peak in the South West of Arabia (it is c. 12,000 ft/3,700 m) and inclined towards the East of Persian Gulf. This piece of land is so arid that there is not a single water body, big or small, making it deprived of water. It is because of the coast-side Mountains that block all the moisture which the dry winds bring with them. Its interior is shaped like a basin which contains dessert with a swapping steppe landscape. The Northern Nafud desert is joining with the Southern Rub-ul-Khali, through a constricted sand passageway, Dahna. (Blij, 2010: 274-278)
Almost all the Arab Peninsula is occupied by the Saudi Kingdom. Its eastern side comprises of the Persian Gulf while, in the west, there is Red Sea and Aqaba Gulf. The Saudi main terrain is connected through its neighboring countries via a ramp.
Chief neighbors
The Capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh. Its population is above 3.6 million. However, major cities of Saudi Arabia are Jeddah, with a population is 2.9 million, Mecca 1.6millon, Ad Dammam (population is 1.6millon) and Medina 854,500. Both Mecca and Medina have religious significance for all the Muslims around the world. Most of its urban settlements are spread alongside the coast.
Geography
Saudi Arabia is located in the Middle East, and its total area is 1,960,582 square kilometers and it is one-fifth of the size of United States. Total border area of Saudi Arabia is 4,431 kilometers with Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, The U.A.E, Kuwait, and Qatar.
The Coastline of Saudi Arabia is 2,640 kilometers of length nearly 1800 kilometers along the Gulf of Aqaba in the red sea and the remaining with Persian Gulf. Saudi Arabia has no its permanent rivers and lakes however in eastern Arabia it provides valuable water resources and, therefore, no extensive form of agriculture is possible over it as rainy weather is scarce at this place.
Climate
The climate of Saudi Arabia have great difference between other countries it contains high humidity with more moderate temperature along the cost which exceeds to 38*C, but in interior region normal temperature in summer is 45*C but sometimes temperature reaches to 54*C. The average temperature of capital Riyadh is 42*C in summer (July) and 14*C in winter (January), major area of Saudi Arabia reaches infrequent rainfall. Coastline remains humid and has better conditions than the entire land of Arabia. Its industrial, agricultural and population water requirements are mainly dependent upon underground water resources and desalination plants.
The desert climate of the territory has not allowed it to enjoy rains as frequently as other places or areas of the world. Jeddah has a warm climate throughout the season. However, winter is comparatively a better season to visit it. Riyadh, on the other hand, is either hottest in summers or coldest in winters. Late autumn or early spring is ideal to visit the metropolis. And the “Empty Quarter” (Rub-ul-Khali) has either no or rare rainfall records which make Saudi Arabia, the driest place across the globe.
Natural Resources
Saudi Arabia is rich in Oil sources and also have large natural gas sources and also in coal, copper, gold, iron, platinum and silver, etc. Most area of Saudi Arabia is covered with deserts nearly half of the country approximately 1.6% percent of Saudi land is open in the shape of deserts and only 0.09 percent of country land is planted to permanent crops. The dryness of the region results in frequent dust and storms. There are major gas resources in the country as well.
Population
The annual growth rate of Saudi Arabians population increases at 2.18 percent, and the total population is 27,019,731. Approximately 100,000 foreigners the country each year for job purpose and religious activities mostly in Mecca and Medina, mostly workers came from other Arab and Muslim countries. The most populated area in Saudi Arabia is Jeddah, which contains 26 percent of the total population. Major population consists of Bedouins (meaning desert dwellers). They constitute one-tenth of the population of Arabia.
Economy and Life Style
Ancient Arabians were tribal, rural and nomads, who had no particular occupation, way of living or source of income. They led a nomadic or pastoral lifestyle. They wear light but long white garbs (thwab) and sun hats to fight the harsh weather throughout the year. They used to live in temporary tents near the water resources.
Women are not allowed to reveal their face or hair which makes them veil themselves fully with “abayah” (it is a long black cloth which is basically a clock) women dressing is quite embellished and adorned. They adorn themselves with jewelry as well. Their dressing is still traditional. Most of the Arabians have still been sticking to their sedentary lifestyle, particularly, in Hejaz and Nejd. Fruits, dates, and grains are their main crops. They raise cattle and other animals to earn a living. The ancient Arabians used to export wool, spices, coffee, camel, famed horses and pearls, etc. before the discovery of oil resources. It contains the world’s principal oil reserves plus natural gas resources. Saudi Arab acquired them in 1970 and today they have been controlling them all over the world. This changed their entire lifestyle as the nomads turned into respectable people by flourishing in trade, industry, standards, private enterprise and many more.
Health Care
According to Saudi government, citizens have access to unlimited free medical care and got. provides huge numbers of operated hospitals, they provide 13% of the total budget to health sectors. Government also provides mobile units which work 24 hours to provide excellent health care, mostly doctors are local, and they are also increasing day by day with the increase of education in Saudi and medical science. The total rate of HIV/AIDS in all over the Saudi is less than0.02% because of excess of medical care.
Cuisines
Arabian cuisines are quite similar to that of Persian, African and Turkish foods. They follow Islamic culture and tradition in their eating habits. No pork or vine is allowed in Arabia. Animals are slaughtered in a proper Islamic format. Kebabs, Shwarma, and Khuzi, are the most popular dishes of that area. Dates and coffee are an essential part of their daily diet.
Reference
H J de Blij, H. J. (2010). College Atlas of the World. America: Wiley Publishers/National Geographic.
