Saudi Arabia

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Motto: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah" (the Shahada)[1]
Anthem: "Aash Al Maleek" "Long live the King"
Capital (and largest city)		Riyadh 24°39′N 46°46′E / 24.65°N 46.767°E / 24.65; 46.767
Official languages		Arabic
Demonym		Saudi, Saudi Arabian
Government		Islamic absolute monarchy
-	King	Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz
-	1st Crown Prince	Sultan bin Abdul Aziz
-	2nd Crown Prince	Nayef bin Abdul Aziz
Legislature		Consultative Assembly[2] (appointed by the king)
Establishment
-	First Saudi State established	1744
-	Second Saudi State established	1824
-	Third Saudi State declared	January 8, 1926
-	Recognized	May 20, 1927
-	Kingdom Unified	September 23, 1932
Area
-	Total	2,149,690 km2 (14th) 1,071,000 sq mi
-	Water (%)	Negligible
Population
-	2009 estimate	28,686,633[3] (41st)
-	Density	12/km2 (205th) 31/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$592.886 billion[4]
-	Per capita	$23,814[4]
GDP (nominal)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$469.426 billion[4]
-	Per capita	$18,855[4]
HDI (2007)		▲ 0.843[5] (high) (59th)
Currency		Riyal (SAR)
Time zone		AST (UTC+3)
-	Summer (DST)	(not observed) (UTC+3)
Drives on the		Right
Internet TLD		.sa
Calling code		966
1	Population estimate includes 5,576,076 non-nationals.

Saudi Arabia (officially Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) is a Western Asian country and the largest country of the Middle East. It is bordered by Jordan and Iraq on the north and northeast, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates on the east, Oman on the southeast, and Yemen on the south. The Persian Gulf lies to the northeast and the Red Sea to its west. It has an estimated population of 28 million, and its size is approximately 2,149,690 square kilometres (830,000 sq mi).
The Kingdom is sometimes called "The Land of the Two Holy Mosques" in reference to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest places in Islam. The two mosques are Masjid al-Haram and Masjid Al-Nabawi. In English, it is most commonly referred to as Saudi Arabia (pronounced /ˈsɔːdɪ/ or /ˈsaʊdɪ əˈreɪbɪə/). The current Kingdom was founded by Abdul-Aziz bin Saud, whose efforts began in 1902 when he captured the Al-Saud’s ancestral home of Riyadh, and culminated in 1932 with the proclamation and recognition of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, though its national origins go back as far as 1744 with the establishment of the First Saudi State.
Saudi Arabia is the world's leading petroleum exporter. Petroleum exports fuel the Saudi economy.^[6] Oil accounts for more than 90 percent of exports and nearly 75 percent of government revenues, facilitating the creation of a welfare state,^[7][8] which the government has found difficult to fund during periods of low oil prices.
For this reason, Saudi culture lacks the diversity of religious expression, buildings, annual festivals and public events that is seen in countries where religious freedom is permitted.^[38] Christianity in Saudi Arabia faces persecution
Tourist attraction
Mecca
The holy city of Mecca is believed to be where the prophet Mohammed was born. Many tourists visit Saudi Arabia precisely to visit Mecca as part of a Muslim pilgrimage that all Muslims are encouraged to take, no matter where they are in the world. As many as three million Muslims visit Mecca during the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah every year. Non-Muslims are banned from visiting Mecca and the other holy sites along its perimeter. Checkpoints line the roads to stop non-Muslims from taking this forbidden journey.
Al-Imam Abdul Aziz ibn Mohammed St
The national museum thoroughly portrays Saudi Arabia’s rich history in eight galleries. It houses the tombs of royalty as well as dazzling examples of rock art as well as impressive scale models of Jeddah, the old Dir’aiyah and the holy mosques in Mecca and Medina. Aside from the relics themselves, the high-tech operation of the museum is also impressive. Visitors need only push a button and they are rewarded with virtual visits to ancient sites of yore or treated to historical narratives on small-screen cinemas with audio commentary in English and Arabic.
Riyadh
Since 1973, Riyadh has been the capital of Saudi Arabia and one of the region’s most impressive cities, filled with huge structures made of glass, steel and concrete as well as large hotels, massive hospitals and one of the biggest airports in the world. The city also hosts a camel market where you can rent a camel for a trip out of town.
Habalah
From the ground, Habalah looks like a deserted village with a few fascinating features, but the view from cable cars above is simply spectacular and among featuring some of the best-preserved houses in the region with carved interior doors.
Madain Saleh cemetery
The Madain Saleh cemetery is a sight like no other, rising up from the sands of a beautiful landscape of impressive rock formations. It hosts 131 tombs, including 45 that bear Arabic transcriptions above their doors, indicating the dead person’s place and prominence in society. All the tombs are well-preserved.
Mecca
The holy city of Mecca is believed to be where the prophet Mohammed was born. Many tourists visit Saudi Arabia precisely to visit Mecca as part of a Muslim pilgrimage that all Muslims are encouraged to take, no matter where they are in the world. As many as three million Muslims visit Mecca during the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah every year. Non-Muslims are banned from visiting Mecca and the other holy sites along its perimeter. Checkpoints line the roads to stop non-Muslims from taking this forbidden journey.
Al-Imam Abdul Aziz ibn Mohammed St
The national museum thoroughly portrays Saudi Arabia’s rich history in eight galleries. It houses the tombs of royalty as well as dazzling examples of rock art as well as impressive scale models of Jeddah, the old Dir’aiyah and the holy mosques in Mecca and Medina. Aside from the relics themselves, the high-tech operation of the museum is also impressive. Visitors need only push a button and they are rewarded with virtual visits to ancient sites of yore or treated to historical narratives on small-screen cinemas with audio commentary in English and Arabic.
Riyadh
Since 1973, Riyadh has been the capital of Saudi Arabia and one of the region’s most impressive cities, filled with huge structures made of glass, steel and concrete as well as large hotels, massive hospitals and one of the biggest airports in the world. The city also hosts a camel market where you can rent a camel for a trip out of town.
Habalah
From the ground, Habalah looks like a deserted village with a few fascinating features, but the view from cable cars above is simply spectacular and among featuring some of the best-preserved houses in the region with carved interior doors.
Madain Saleh cemetery
The Madain Saleh cemetery is a sight like no other, rising up from the sands of a beautiful landscape of impressive rock formations. It hosts 131 tombs, including 45 that bear Arabic transcriptions above their doors, indicating the dead person’s place and prominence in society. All the tombs are well-preserved.

Al-Masjid al-Haram, Saudi Arabia

Al-Masjid al-Haram, Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia, is the largest mosque of the world. Located in the city of Mecca, this mosque is the place where Hajjis offer prayers on completion of their pilgrimage. This mosque houses two of the most renowned Saudi Arabia attractions - Kaaba and The Black Stone.

Kabba in Saudi Arabia

The Kaaba in Saudi Arabia is the cubical structure around which worshippers perform their ritual circumambulations during Hajj. Black in color and made of granite, the Kaaba is believed to have been built on orders by Allah himself. It is the structure towards which all Muslims turn during their daily prayers.

Black Stone in Saudi Arabia

The Black Stone in Saudi Arabia is a popular Saudi Arabian attraction, is the northern cornerstone of the Kaaba in Mecca. Bound to the Kaaba by a huge silver band, this stone is believed to have been a meteorite's remnant. A few Islamists believe that it was originally white in color, and has turned black by absorbing the sins committed by mankind.

Media House in Saudi Arabia

The city of Medina house in Saudi Arabia is a popular attraction, the Masjid al-Nabawi, or Mosque of Prophet Muhammad. Built by the Prophet himself, it is the final resting place of this founder of Islam.

Riyadh Zoo in Saudi Arabia

The Riyadh Zoo, in Saudi Arabia is located in capital city of Riyadh, is extremely popular with kids. This place houses myriad species of wildlife. Al Balad area in the city of Jeddah is the best place for shopping in Saudi Arabia. Other must-visit Saudi Arabia attractions are Masmek Citadel, Corniche at Al Khobar, Jeddah Fountain, etc.