Saudi Arabia is the capital of which country. Saudi Arabia - recreation, attractions, weather, cuisine, tours, photo, map

The largest state of the Arabian Peninsula is Saudi Arabia. By type of device - this is a kingdom. The country shares its borders in the north with Kuwait, Iraq and Jordan, in the east with the United United Arab Emirates and Qatar, in the southeast with Oman and in the south with Yemen. Water borders run along the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. It should be noted that the country is not characterized by a clearly defined territory.

Saudi Arabia is often associated with mosques, the main ones being in Mecca and Medina. These are the shrines of Islam.

The main wealth of the country is a huge number of oil fields. The export of black gold has become a dominant position in the economy of the state. This industry accounts for 75% of the total gross domestic product.

Saudi Arabia is inhabited by 28.68 million inhabitants, of which 90% are Arabs, the rest are Asians and East Africans. Islam became the predominant religion. In the country, it is recognized as the state form of religion. Popularization of other creeds is prohibited here. Visiting foreigners, non-Muslims, are not allowed to visit the main shrines. The observance of traditions is monitored by the local religious police service - muttawa.

The official language is Arabic and the currency is the Saudi Riyal. It is equal to 100 halals. The exchange rate is approximately 1 euro to 4.75 rials.

Saudi Arabia - capital and major cities

The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh. Its population is 4.87 million people. This is a huge city, whose name means "place of trees and gardens." There is really a lot of greenery here.

Previously, nomadic Arabs lived in these territories. But by the 18th a Wahhabi center had formed. Neighboring lands were united around it. So there was a state with the capital Riyadh.

The population of the city began to grow rapidly after the 1950s. Oil revenues turned this place into a modern developed metropolis with luxurious buildings. There are a lot of skyscrapers here, and the development and implementation of grandiose projects is considered the norm of life in the capital city.

The tallest building in the capital, and indeed in the whole country, is the building of Burj al-Mamlaka. Now the construction of a huge subway has begun here, which will be the second after the subway in Mecca.

A feature of Saudi Arabia is the concentration of the bulk of the population in cities. In addition to the capital, the cities of Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Dammam, Khaftji and others are characterized by a large number.

Saudi Arabia - holidays and tours

In the first place among the types of tourism in this country are visits for the purpose of worshiping shrines. Pilgrims have become the main source of income from the tourism business. Millions of believers come to the "country of two mosques" every year.

In addition to religious tourism, Saudi Arabia attracts with the opportunity to get acquainted with the magnificent cultural property preserved and come down to us through many centuries.

Traditional is beach holiday on the coast of the sea and the bay. The hot sun all year round gives tourists the opportunity to soak up the golden sand and splash in the warm waters.

Visiting businessmen also make up a significant part of the country's guests. Conclusion of business contracts with local firms is an excellent opportunity for business development.

Saudi Arabia - Attractions

Guests of the country are recommended to visit the Museum of Riyadh. open here free entrance. There are expositions that acquaint tourists with the culture and traditions of Saudi Arabia. Here you get special access to view others historical monuments countries.

In the city of Diraya there are interesting excavations of mosques and palaces.

The city of Jeddah, located on the Red Sea, is the main port of the country. It is also the most powerful industrial center of the state. It was nicknamed "the city of statues and markets". The magnificent fountain 312 meters high has become the main attraction.

There are 140 mosques in the country, and each of them is cultural and national value. They are unique in their external outlines, so they are all unique.

Mecca and Medina are the spiritual capitals of Islam. Millions of believers gather here for the Hajj, access is strictly prohibited to representatives of other faiths.

Saudi Arabia - weather (climate)

The main part of the country's territory is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts. Accordingly, the climate here is arid and hot. On the Arabian Peninsula summer temperatures are constantly at around +50 degrees. Snow falls only in mountainous areas, but not every year.

The coldest winter month is January. At this time, the average temperature is approximately +15 degrees in mountainous areas, and +30 in deserts. But at night, a sharp cooling can occur even in the desert, then the thermometer will stop near 0 degrees. This is due to the physical characteristics of sand, which is able to instantly give off the heat received during the day.

There are very few rainfalls. For the year their number is only 100mm. Rains are possible only at the end of the winter period or in early spring.

Weather in Saudi Arabia now:

Saudi Arabia - Cuisine

The cuisine of this country was formed under the influence of historical features, as well as natural and climatic conditions. Here, as in all Arab countries, sacredly honor traditions. Foods used for cooking are common to all Muslims. Even minor differences, which are due to ethnic diversity, mainly relate to minor aspects of cooking: the addition of spices or seafood.

Muslims do not eat pork at all. Therefore, beef, fish, poultry and eggs are prepared here. A favorite food is fried meat cooked on coals or in a frying pan with the addition of a large amount of vegetable oil.

The traditional dish is meat on a spit (“kultra”). Most often it is a lamb or a bird. The shish kebab here is called "tika". Shawarma ("shvarma") is often prepared. And "kebab" - marinated beef or lamb shish kebab, does not leave indifferent any gourmet. Moreover, there are about a hundred options for cooking kebab, and each of them is a work of culinary art.

In general, meat is very popular here. It is prepared whole carcasses, pieces or chopped. Plov (“maklube”) is one of the favorite dishes of local cuisine.

Eggplants, peppers, zucchini are served with meat from vegetables. Meat soups are popular. They are cooked very thick, and the main ingredient is beans.

The preparation of various varieties of poultry is widespread. It is stewed with the addition of tomato paste or sauce. There are many various recipes cooking duck, turkey, chicken, quail. They are stuffed with rice or vegetables, baked or grilled.

Rice is the main side dish. It is also mandatory to have a salad of fresh green vegetables on the dining table.

Oriental cuisine cannot do without spices. Onions, garlic, spices are the components that give each dish a taste and aroma.

Oriental sweets (dessert) are known to all. Lukum, halva, candied fruit - these delicacies are loved not only by the local population, but also by sweet tooth all over the world.

Coffee has become a traditional drink for conversation. It is prepared in a special way and consumed in miniature cups. Since the local drink is very strong, it is better for tourists who are not used to it to limit their use.

Saudi Arabia - interesting facts

In Saudi Arabia, the norms of behavior are completely different from Western traditions.

TO foreign mercenaries there is disrespect here. People who work for hire are treated as slaves. It is permissible to involve them in the most difficult and dirty types of work. Even assault is allowed. The owner will not be condemned if he physically punishes a negligent performer who came from another state.

Polygamy is the norm here. Marriage with minor children is as natural as ordinary marriage. There is no age limit for marriage in this state. The fate of the daughter is decided by her parents, regardless of her personal desires. The Prophet Muhammad himself was engaged to a 6-year-old girl, Aisha. Therefore, Muslims have someone to take a similar example from.

A woman in Saudi Arabia has absolutely no rights. Domestic violence is common. It is extremely difficult to prove the fact of beating by a husband, therefore, most often such conflicts are ignored by the authorities, even if a woman writes a statement with a complaint.

saudi arabia visa application

A visa is required to travel to Saudi Arabia. The types of visas are as follows:
working,
student,
transit,
business,
guestbook,
Group (for pilgrims).

Any tour is organized by an accredited company. There are no tourist visas for this country.

The following documents should be submitted to the Visa Application Centre:
Foreign passport and civil passport,
Questionnaire (filled out in English and Russian),
Photos,
Tickets, including hotel reservations,
For women - a copy of the marriage certificate or proof of relationship with the man accompanying her on the trip.

The visa fee is $56.

Saudi Arabia - Embassy

In Moscow, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia is located on 3rd Neapolimovsky lane, building 3. Tel.: (+7 095) 245-3491.

"The country of two mosques" (Mecca and Medina) - this is how Saudi Arabia is often called differently. The form of government of this state is an absolute monarchy. geographical reference, Short story and information about the political structure of Saudi Arabia will help to get a general idea about this country.

General information

Saudi Arabia is the largest state on the Arabian Peninsula. It borders Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan to the north, UAE and Qatar to the east, Oman to the southeast, and Yemen to the south. It owns more than 80 percent of the peninsula, as well as several islands in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.

More than half of the country's territory is occupied by the Rub al-Khali desert. In addition, in the north is part of the Syrian desert, and in the south is An-Nafud - another large desert. The plateau in the center of the country is crossed by several rivers, which usually dry up during the hot season.

Saudi Arabia is exceptionally rich in oil. The profit from the sale of "black gold" is partly invested by the government in the development of the country, partly invested in industrialized countries and used to provide loans to other Arab powers.

The form of government in Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy. Islam is recognized as the state religion. Arabic is the official language.

The name of the country was given by the ruling dynasty in it - the Saudis. Its capital is the city of Riyadh. The population of the country is 22.7 million people, mostly Arabs.

Early history of Arabia

In the first millennium BC, the Minean kingdom was located on the shores of the Red Sea. On the east coast was Dilmun, which was considered the political and cultural federation in the region.

In 570, an event occurred that determined further fate Arabian Peninsula - Muhammad, the future prophet, was born in Mecca. His teaching literally turned the history of these lands, subsequently influenced the features of the form of government of Saudi Arabia and the culture of the country.

The followers of the prophet, known as caliphs (caliphs), conquered almost all the territories of the Middle East, bringing Islam. However, with the advent of the caliphate, whose capital was first Damascus, later Baghdad, the significance of the prophet's homeland gradually lost its importance. At the end of the 13th century, the territory of Saudi Arabia was almost entirely under the rule of Egypt, and two and a half centuries later these lands were ceded to the Ottoman Porte.

Rise of Saudi Arabia

In the middle of the 17th century, the state of Nazhd appeared, which managed to achieve independence from the Porte. IN mid-nineteenth century, Riyadh became its capital. But the civil war that broke out a few years later led to the fact that the weakened country was divided among the neighboring powers.

In 1902, the son of the sheikh of the Dirayah oasis, Abdul-Aziz ibn Saud, managed to take Riyadh. Four years later, almost all of Nazhd was under his control. In 1932, emphasizing the special significance of the royal house in history, he officially gave the country the name Saudi Arabia. The form of government of the state allowed the Saudis to achieve on its territory.

Since the middle of the last century, this state has become the main ally and strategic partner of the United States in the Middle East region.

Saudi Arabia: form of government

The constitution of this state officially proclaims the Koran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. However, Saudi Arabia, the form of government and general principles authorities are determined by the Basic Nizam (law), which came into force in 1992.

This act contains a provision that Saudi Arabia is a sovereign system of power in which it is monarchical. country is based on Sharia law.

The king from the ruling family of the Saudis is also the religious leader and the highest authority in relation to all kinds of power. At the same time, he holds the post of supreme commander of the army, has the right to make appointments to all important civil and military posts, and to declare war in the country. He also oversees that the overall political direction meets the norms of Islam and supervises the implementation of Sharia principles.

Government departments

The executive power in the state is exercised by the Council of Ministers. The king holds the post of its chairman, it is he who is engaged in its formation and reorganization. The Nizams, approved by the Council of Ministers, enact royal decrees. The ministers head the respective ministries and departments, for the activities of which they are responsible to the king.

It is also carried out by the king, under which there is an Advisory Council with deliberative rights. The members of this council express their opinion on the draft Nizams adopted by the ministers. The Chairman of the Advisory Council and sixty of its members are also appointed by the King (for a term of four years).

The Supreme Judicial Council is at the head of the judiciary. On the recommendation of this council, the king appoints and removes judges.

Saudi Arabia, whose form of government and state structure is based on the almost absolute power of the king and the veneration of the Islamic religion, officially does not have any trade unions or political parties. Serving a religion other than Islam is also prohibited here.

Saudi Arabia, the map of which is presented below, is a country in the southwestern part of Asia, covering about 80% of the area. The origin of its name is associated with the Saudi royal family, which founded the state and continues to be in power until today.

general description

The area of ​​Saudi Arabia is 2.15 million square kilometers. The state borders on Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, UAE, Qatar, Yemen and Oman. In addition, it is washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. Its capital is Riyadh, which is home to over five million people. Other big cities Saudi Arabia is Jeddah, Mecca and Medina. Their population exceeds one million people.

Political structure

In March 1992, the first documents regulating political structure state and the basic principles of its management. Based on them, the country of Saudi Arabia is a theocratic absolute monarchy. Its constitution is based on the Koran. The Saudi dynasty has been in power since 1932. The King has full legislative, executive and judicial power. Its powers are only theoretically limited. local traditions and Sharia law. The government in its current form has been functioning since 1953. It is headed by the king, who determines the main directions of its activities. There is also a Council of Ministers in the country, which is entrusted not only with executive, but also with legislative functions. All decisions taken by this authority are approved by decree of the king of the country of Saudi Arabia. The population of the state is obliged to comply with them. Administratively, the country is divided into thirteen provinces.

Economy

The local economy is based on private free enterprise. At the same time, it is impossible not to note the fact that control over the key ones is carried out by the government. The state boasts the largest oil reserves on the planet. It accounts for about 75% of his income. In addition, Saudi Arabia is the world leader in the export of black gold and plays one of the leading roles in OPEC. The country also has reserves of zinc, chromium, lead, copper and

Population

The first census of local residents was carried out in 1974. From that time to the present day, the population of Saudi Arabia has almost tripled. Now almost 30 million people live in the country. The vast majority of local residents are Arabs, a significant part of which has retained the tribal organization. Now there are more than 100 tribal associations and tribes in the country. It should also be noted that approximately one-fifth of the population is made up of foreign workers. Based on official UN statistics, as of 1970, the infant mortality rate in the country was 204 babies for every thousand newborns. Now there has been a significant positive shift in this indicator. In particular, due to the improvement of living standards and medical care in the state, out of a thousand newborns, only 19 children die.

Language

Arabic is the official language in a country like Saudi Arabia. The population in everyday life uses mainly the Arabian dialect, which comes from el-fushy. Within it, several dialects that are close to each other stand out at once. At the same time, city dwellers and descendants of nomads speak differently. Literary and spoken languages have minor differences from each other. In a religious context, mainly the classical Arabic dialect is used. Common languages ​​among immigrants from other countries are English, Indonesian, Urdu, Tagalog, Farsi and others.

Religion

Saudi Arabia is considered the center of the Islamic world. The population of the country is almost in full force professes this particular religion. According to various estimates, up to 93% of local residents are Sunnis. The rest of the representatives of Islam are predominantly Shiites. As for other religions, about 3% of the country's inhabitants are Christians, and 0.4% are other confessions.

Education

Higher education in the country, although free, is not compulsory. A good job and a comfortable life in Saudi Arabia are possible without him. Whatever it is, it works here. whole line programs whose main goal was to reduce the level of illiteracy of local residents. Currently, there are 7 universities and 16 higher educational institutions in the country. All of them are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry higher education. Approximately 30 thousand students study abroad every year. In the past few decades, the government has significantly increased spending on education. At the same time, the state needs a general reform in this area, which should form a new balance between modern and traditional teaching methods.

Medicine

Saudi Arabia is one of the most advanced countries in the world in terms of medicine. The population of the state has the right to receive free services related to it. This applies to both residents of megacities and representatives of the Bedouin tribes who roam in the desert. Every year, the government allocates about 8% of the local budget for health care, which is simply a gigantic amount. Mandatory immunization of newborns is fixed at the legislative level. The epidemiological control system, which was established in 1986, made it possible to completely defeat and eliminate such terrible diseases like the plague, and cholera.

Demographic Issues

According to scientists, if the current number of inhabitants in the country continues (over the past 30 years they have been about 4% of the inhabitants per year), then by 2050 the population of Saudi Arabia will reach 45 million. In other words, very soon the country's leadership will have to solve the problem associated not only with providing citizens with jobs, but also with ensuring a decent old age for the Saudis who are currently working. This task is not so easy even for a state with such impressive oil reserves. The emergence of such problems is associated primarily with positive changes in the areas of nutrition and medical care, as well as with the improvement of living conditions in the country.

It is the largest state on the Arabian Peninsula and one of the richest powers on the planet. It is here that the most important pilgrimage centers of the Muslim world are located, and the most prosperous countries of our time are frankly jealous of the local oil reserves. From different sides, the Saudi kingdom is washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf, as well as the Arabian and Red Seas, delighting the eyes of amazed guests arriving on these mysterious shores.

Peculiarities

Saudi Arabia has a flourishing monarchy and this moment it is led by the son of the founder of the state from the Saudi dynasty - Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz al-Saud. The symbol of the country's economy is the oil refining industry, thanks to which the well-being of the state has been based on the very high level. Among the regular buyers of oil and gas are the USA, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and other prosperous powers. The harsh Sharia law that the kingdom lives by is an integral part of the image of Saudi Arabia in the West and often causes discontent. international organizations monitoring the observance of human rights. The penalties for violating the laws of Islam are indeed very severe here. A small fault can cost a person a certain amount of money, and a big one - a head, in literally this word. The observance of norms of behavior and morality is vigilantly monitored by the religious police.

The territorial expanses of the country are mainly formed from rocky and sandy deserts, where lichens, white saxaul, tamarisk, acacia and other plants grow. Date palms, bananas, citrus fruits, cereals and horticultural crops are often found in oases. Living creatures, despite the arid climate, are very diverse and are represented by many individuals, including antelopes, gazelles, wild donkeys, hares, jackals, hyenas, foxes, wolves, as well as dozens of species of birds and rodents. A significant disadvantage of the political structure of the state is serious youth unemployment and too much dependence on the financial generosity of the ruling royal family.

general information

The territory of Saudi Arabia is quite extensive and covers an area of ​​just under 2 million 150 thousand square meters. km, which is 12 in the world. The population at the same time is about 27 million people. Arabic is used as the main language. The monetary currency is the Saudi rial (SAR). 100 SAR = $SAR:USD:100:2. Time zone UTC+3. Local time coincides with Moscow. Mains voltage 127 and 220 V at a frequency of 50 Hz, A, B, F, G. Telephone country code +966. Internet domain.sa.

A brief excursion into history

For a long time, the lands between the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea were occupied by Arab tribes, and in the 1st millennium BC, the Minean and Sabaean kingdoms existed in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula. At the same time, in the historical region of Hijaz, many centuries ago, pilgrimage centers of the Islamic world arose - Mecca and Medina. It was in Mecca that the Prophet Muhammad began to spread Islam at the beginning of the 7th century, and a little later he settled in Medina, which later became the capital of the Arab Caliphate. In the era late medieval Turkish rule was established on the peninsula.

The birth of the first Saudi state began in 1744, with the active participation of the ruler of the city of Ad-Diriya - Muhammad ibn Saud and the preacher Muhammad Abdul-Wahhab. It lasted only 73 years until it was destroyed by the Ottomans. The same fate befell the second Saudi state, founded in 1824. The creator of the third was Abd al-Aziz, who captured Riyadh at the beginning of the 20th century, and then subjugated the Nejd region. In September 1932, after the unification of the Hejaz and Najd regions, modern Saudi Arabia was formed, whose king was Abd al-Aziz. In subsequent decades and up to the present day, the royal throne was regularly inherited, while international relations with the West still remain very moderate and not too open, allowing Saudi Arabia to maintain its relative closeness and confidentiality on the world political arena.

Climate

The country is dominated by an arid climate with minimal rainfall throughout the year. The air temperature in the winter months on the coast fluctuates between +20 .. +30 degrees, and in summer the thermometer of the thermometer regularly exceeds +50 degrees. The desert area is somewhat cooler. In summer, at night, the temperature can drop to 0 degrees there. Precipitation, depending on the region, falls only in winter and spring, and even then in small quantities. It is recommended to come here from September to October or from April to May, while it is still not too hot, and the sea winds sufficiently refresh the air.

Visa and customs regulations

Visiting Saudi Arabia by citizens of Russia and Ukraine is possible only with a transit, student, work, business or guest visa. In addition, group visas are accepted for Hajj pilgrims to Mecca. Ordinary tourist visas to the country are not issued. Women, during the application process, must provide a copy of the marriage document or confirm kinship with the man accompanying them on the trip. Without the presence of the latter, they are prohibited from leaving the airport transit zone. The local customs regulations provide for a complete ban on the transport of alcohol and printed materials in Hebrew. The death penalty is used for drug trafficking.

How to get there

There are 4 international airports in Saudi Arabia, one of which is in the capital, King Khalid. The most convenient flight option are flights with transfers in or. In addition, the kingdom can be reached through, and after a few more European countries. On the coast of the Persian Gulf there are a number of large seaports that receive ferries from, and.

Transport

Within the country, rail and bus suburban communications are developed. Highways are very different. high quality. Women under 30 are only allowed to drive if accompanied by men.

Cities and resorts

Saudi Arabia is one of the most closed and mysterious countries in the world. For many years, this Arab state has kept its culture, religion, traditions and customs hidden from human eyes. For many travel enthusiasts, a visit to the country of the sheikhs is a pipe dream, due to restrictions on foreign tourists, which, however, only makes it even more attractive and alluring.

The most important holy city of Muslims all over the world is in which the founder of the religion, Prophet Muhammad, was born. Here is located Holy Haram Mosque, accommodating up to 700 thousand people at the same time. In the center of the mosque is the sanctuary of the Kaaba, the corners of which are oriented to the four cardinal points. The Kaaba is covered with a black silk veil (kiswa), the upper part of which is decorated with sayings from the Koran embroidered with gold. The door to the sanctuary is made of pure gold and weighs 286 kg. In the eastern corner of the Kaaba is the Black Stone, which is bordered by a silver rim. In accordance with Muslim tradition, God gave this Black Stone to the first man, Adam, who was expelled from paradise, after his sincere repentance.

Tradition says that initially the stone had a white color, but over time it turned black from the touch of sinners. Just a few meters separate the Kaaba from another Muslim shrine - the Maqam Ibrahim stone, which keeps the imprint of Abraham's foot. In the Haram Mosque, the sacred spring of Zamzam beats, given to Ismail at the time when he, along with Hagar (Hajar), was dying in the desert from unbearable thirst. It was around this source that Mecca subsequently arose. According to the basics of Islam, every Muslim is obliged to visit Mecca at least once in his life.

Another holy city of Muslims is, because it is here that the mosque of the Prophet is located, in which the tomb of the prophet is located, Abu Bakr (the first caliph and father of one of Muhammad's wives) and Umar ibn Khattab (the second caliph) are buried nearby. I must say that in total in this city there are about a hundred such places of worship, which are made in various architectural styles.

In you can admire the magnificent buildings of embassies and consulates. Be sure to visit the beautiful national park Asir.

Despite the fact that it is one of the most modern cities in the Middle East, it still retained the historical appearance of a typical oriental city, representing a fortress with a majestic medieval flavor, winding narrow streets where you can get lost, adobe houses, the facades of which face into the yard. Here is the royal palace and Jamid mosque.

If you prefer an active holiday, then you will be pleasantly surprised by the variety of entertainment offered. Thus, the traditional sport of the inhabitants is camel racing. Both in the capital and in the most remote Bedouin camp, regardless of the season, you can watch races, dressage, as well as various team games in which camels are directly involved. Equestrian sport is no less popular here, while everything related to horses is an enduring value for local residents.

An actively developing type of recreation in the country is scuba diving in the waters of the Red Sea. I must say that foreign tourists appreciated the untouchedness, as well as the species diversity of this clean sea.

It is impossible not to say about deep-sea fishing in the waters of the Gulf, and directly on the Red Sea. At the same time, ancient original fishing methods are used to catch fish, which can easily compete with modern species fishing, so such fishing tours are quite popular today.

Saudi Arabia is a rather closed state, the tourist potential of which is the unique nature of the deserts, a combination of ancient traditions and modern trends, as well as many places of worship of the Islamic world, which are the main reason for visiting the country by more than 90% of foreign citizens.

Accommodation

Hotels of all categories are available throughout the country of the Kingdom. Most tourist cities have the opportunity to rent an apartment for a short time, the owners of Shigka-maafroosha are in the lobbies of hotels, offering their services to tourists. 4-5 * hotels are quite expensive, but you get an excellent level of service, and the hotel restaurant will work even in Ramadan.

Capital: Riyadh.
Area: 2,149,690 sq. km.
Population: 26,939,583
Official language: Arabic.
Official currency: Saudi riyal.

Saudi Arabia is one of the most "closed" countries in the world. To visit it, you will have to fulfill a number of conditions and rules. But those who at least once saw its endless deserts and felt the influence of local culture are unlikely to regret that they ended up there...

Saudi Arabia occupies about 80% of the Arabian Peninsula - the largest in the world. It borders Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait to the north and northeast, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to the east, and Oman and Yemen to the south. With the island state of Bahrain, which is located in the waters of the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia is connected by a huge bridge of King Fahd. It is completely located on piles driven into the bottom of the bay.

On political map no border between Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman solid line, as is usually done, but intermittent, because this boundary is conditional. It passes through the desert and is not marked on the ground. Because of this, the area of ​​a country is always given as an approximation.

The inhabitants of the country are Muslims. They live under Sharia (Islamic law), which foreigners will find very strict. For example, in Saudi Arabia, public entertainment (theaters, cinemas, etc.), rallies and parades are prohibited, there are no holidays except religious ones, you can’t have pets, and you cut off your hand for theft ...

New Year and Christmas celebrations are banned in Saudi Arabia. These are Christian holidays, for which a punishment is imposed.

Saudi Arabia is an absolute theocratic monarchy. This means that the power in the country (both secular and spiritual) belongs to the king and is no longer limited by anyone. The role of the constitution in the state is performed by holy book Muslims - Koran.

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia is one of the richest rulers in the world. His fortune totals 63 billion dollars.

At the beginning of the 20th century Saudi Arabia was one of the poorest countries in the world, now it is one of the richest. Oil helped the Saudis to get rich, huge deposits of which were found on the territory of the country. Thanks to the "black gold" over the past 20 years, Saudi Arabia has turned from a backward medieval into a modern developed state.

Saudi Arabia is the world leader in oil production.

Gasoline in Saudi Arabia is several times cheaper than water, and not because it is scarce in the desert, but because there is a lot of oil from which it is obtained.

They say that in Saudi Arabia men own everything and women own nothing. A woman has few rights here. She can only go outside when accompanied by a man, even if he is only 6 years old! She is not allowed to drive or work. In the country, even shops are divided into women's and men's.

Garden in the desert

Leave the city - and find yourself ... in the desert. Yes, this is possible not only in the imagination, but also in reality. The capital of Saudi Arabia - Riyadh - is surrounded by deserts. Walk quite a bit - and the city streets are replaced by endless hot sands.

The life of Riyadh is divided into two periods: before the discovery of oil fields and after. When black gold was found in the country, the Saudi king spared no expense in rebuilding the main city itself. He invited the best engineers, designers, who created an oasis called Riyadh (translated from Arabic, it means "garden".)

How Riyadh looked like in the past, you can find out by walking through the central part of the city - al-Bataa. There is still a quarter with narrow streets and low adobe houses.

At first glance, it would seem that no one lives in them anymore. But satellite "dishes" on the roofs will tell you that this is not so.

Riyadh is famous for its camel market, which attracts sellers and buyers from all over the Middle East. The price of a "ship of the desert" here reaches tens of thousands of dollars!

Riyadh is a city of mosques. There are more than 150 of them, and each one is different from the others!

The capital of Saudi Arabia is considered one of the hottest cities in the world. In summer, the air temperature rises to +45 °C! It almost never rains here. Despite this, the city is recognized as the greenest capital in the Middle East. This unusual fact explained by the fact that Riyadh lies in a small but fertile lowland.

Modern Riyadh is a city with wide streets and glass skyscrapers, among which there are very interesting buildings. For example, the Kingdom Center is the tallest building in Saudi Arabia. The height of the skyscraper is 311 m, it has 99 floors! Because of appearance the locals nicknamed him "opener".

In the future, an unusual metro station should appear in Riyadh. It will be built in the form of a huge bowl with a large hole on top. Through it, the sun's rays will fall deep into the station and illuminate it. Thus, the Saudis plan to use a natural source of light.

Dirayah, the old capital of Saudi Arabia, is located 20 km from Riyadh. Once this city was very rich, trade routes passed through it, but then it was destroyed. Only a few palaces and mosques remain from it. Archaeological excavations are actively carried out in the city now.

Football is very popular in Saudi Arabia. The national team of this country has become the champion of Asia more than once. The King Fahd Stadium is one of the most remarkable buildings in the capital: it was built in the form of an Arab tent.

In an ocean of sand

On the physical map of the world, Saudi Arabia is shaded in yellow. This means that the territory of the country is occupied by deserts.

The largest of the Saudi Arabian deserts is Rub al-Khali. Translated from Arabic, it means "empty quarter." Only the desert, contrary to its name, occupies not a quarter of the country, but its entire third! Rub al-Khali is a boundless sea of ​​hot sand, which is constantly moving due to the wind. The height of sand waves (dunes) can reach 250 m, and this is the height of a nine-story building! There are legends about the sands of this desert. They say that they buried more than one caravan under them.

And once drowned in a sandy stream whole city— Ubar. It was a big shopping mall where many wealthy people lived. But wealth made them greedy and evil. There was a city, there was, and it floated away ... As if it had disappeared forever in the desert ...

In the north of Saudi Arabia lies the "sister" of Rub al-Khali - the Great Nefud Desert. She is called the most beautiful in the world. In the morning, the surface of this desert is bright red, and in the evening it is white. It is transformed due to the fact that its grains of sand contain a lot of iron and change color depending on the lighting. This is the hottest and stuffiest place on earth. During the day, the temperature in the desert rises to 60 degrees, and the sand warms up to 70! Life here is only in oases, where the "bread of the desert" grows - dates.

In the desert, you can observe fantastic phenomena, such as stone roses. Bizarre flowers are created underground for years. They consist of gypsum and sand, and are obtained due to the strong evaporation of water. Over time, due to the wind, they are on the surface. These stone flowers are considered a trophy. They are hunted by fossil collectors. One such desert flower costs thousands of euros!

The King of Saudi Arabia regularly holds prayers for rain. This ritual is one of the traditions of Saudi Arabia. It was initiated by the Prophet Muhammad himself.

East and West of Saudi Arabia are different. The climate on the Red Sea coast is more favorable for life. Here are the Hijaz and Asir mountains, where the highest point countries - the city of An-Nabi-Shuaib (3353 m). They do not allow the heated air from the center of Arabia to penetrate and serve as a barrier against sand. It is very hot on the east coast, and the air humidity is so high that a wet handkerchief hung out in the sun does not dry out for a long time.

Baboon monkeys literally attack the people of Saudi Arabia. In the mountains, because of the heat, they have nothing to eat, so they move closer to people. Baboons run freely through the streets of Saudi cities and rob local residents: they climb into houses or cars and steal vegetables and fruits.

In summer, the inhabitants of Saudi Arabia, like the Belarusians, go to the south of the Arabian Peninsula. Only we at the same time strive for warmth, and the Saudis - for coolness, because on the southern coast it is not as hot as in the center or in the north of Arabia.

In winter, the wind rises over the Arabian Peninsula, which causes severe sandstorms. Clouds of sand and dust cover most of the settlements in Saudi Arabia. In cities, traffic is closed, children do not go to school, life stops. Everyone tries to sit out this period at home.