The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whose population dates back to the second millennium BC (it was then that the indigenous Arab tribes occupied the entire Arabian Peninsula), is today the main member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. The state ranks second in the world in the extraction and export of oil and oil products. In addition, referring to Mecca and Medina - the main holy cities of Islam - Saudi Arabia is called the Land of the Two Holy Mosques. It is the rich deposits of black gold and the penetration of religion into many areas of life that distinguish the kingdom.
General information about Saudi Arabia
The state from which Islam spread occupies about 80% of the territory of the Arabian Peninsula. Most of the country is occupied by desert areas, foothills and mountains of medium height, so that less than 1% of the land is suitable for cultivation. The Arabian Peninsula is one of the few places on Earth where the air temperature constantly exceeds 50 degrees in summer.
The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh. Other major cities are Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Em Dammam, Al Hofuf. There are 27 settlements with a population of more than 100 thousand people, and four cities with a population of one million. The capital of Saudi Arabia is traditionally not only the administrative, but also the political, scientific, educational and business center of the country. Religious and cultural centers, shrines of the state - Mecca and Medina.
The official symbols are the flag of Saudi Arabia, the coat of arms and the anthem. The flag is a green cloth with a sword, symbolizing the victories of the founder of the state, and an inscription - the Muslim creed (shahada). Interestingly, the flag of Saudi Arabia is never flown at half mast for mourning. Also, the image cannot be applied to clothes and souvenirs, since the shahada is considered sacred to Muslims.
The king of Saudi Arabia, who today rules the state, is a direct descendant of the first king, Abdulaziz. The power of Salman ibn Abdul-Aziz Al Saud of the Saudi dynasty is actually limited only by Sharia law. Important government decisions are made by the king in consultation with a group of religious leaders and other respected members of Saudi society.
Current demographic situation
The population of Saudi Arabia as of 2014 was 27.3 million people. About 30% of them are visitors, while the indigenous population are Saudi Arabs. After a brief stabilization of demographic indicators in 2000 at around 20 million people, the population of Saudi Arabia began to grow again. In general, there are no sharp jumps in population in the dynamics of the population of the kingdom.
Other relevant demographics for Saudi Arabia are as follows:
- birth rate - 18.8 per 1000 people;
- mortality - 3.3 per 1000 people;
- total fertility rate - 2.2 children per woman;
- natural population growth - 15.1;
- migration growth of the population - 5.1 per 1000 people.
Density of inhabitants and nature of settlement
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia covers an area of 2,149,610 square kilometers. By territory, the state is the 12th in the world and the first among the countries of the Arabian Peninsula. These data, as well as a rough estimate of the population for 2015, allow us to calculate the population density. The figure is 12 people per square kilometer.
Most of the people of Saudi Arabia are concentrated in cities. Firstly, the relief and climate of the Arabian Peninsula make it possible to comfortably exist only within the oases around which the largest cities of the state were once formed. Secondly, a significant proportion of the urban population is due to the structure of the economy, where agriculture takes a very small part, due to the meager percentage of land suitable for growing plants and livestock.
The urbanization rate in the kingdom is 82.3% and the corresponding rate is 2.4% per annum. More than five million people live in the capital of Saudi Arabia. The total population of the remaining three million-plus cities is another six million Saudis. Thus, in the four largest cities of the kingdom, eleven million people out of 31.5 (estimated for 2015), which is approximately 35% of the country's inhabitants, live.
Religious affiliation of the population
Saudi Arabia, whose population is highly religious, is officially an Islamic state. Islam as the state religion is enshrined in the first article of the Basic Law of the State. Muslims are 92.8% of the population of Saudi Arabia. By the way, non-Islamic tourists are banned from entering Mecca and Medina.
Christianity is the second most followed religion in the kingdom. The number of Christians is about 1.2 million, the majority of whom are foreigners. Quite often, cases of harassment of adherents of other religions (non-Muslims) are recorded in the country - Saudi Arabia is in sixth place among the states where the rights of Christians are most often harassed.
Atheism in the kingdom is considered a grave sin and is equated with terrorism, so it is impossible to estimate the exact number of unbelievers in the country. The American Institute of Public Opinion, based on polls, cites the following data: 5% of Saudis are convinced atheists, about 19% call themselves unbelievers. Profile publications publish smaller numbers, indicating only 0.7% in the column "atheists and non-believers".
Sex and age structure of the population
Saudi Arabia, whose population is mostly of working age, is characterized by a progressive (or growing) type of sex and age pyramid. This is better seen in a simplified scheme, where only three categories of citizens are distinguished: children and adolescents (up to the full age of 14), the working-age population (from 15 to 65 years old) and the elderly (over 65 years old).
The working-age population is about 22 million people, which is 67.6% of the total number of Saudis. There are 9.6 million or 29.4% of children and adolescents in the state, only 3% fall to the share of elderly people, this group is 0.9 million people. In general, the dependent part of the citizens (children and pensioners who are supported by the adult population) has 32.4% of Saudis. Such indicators form a not particularly significant social burden on society.
Saudi Arabia, whose population traditionally oppresses the fair sex, is distinguished by an almost equal gender structure of the population. The country has 55% men and 45% women.
Women's rights in Saudi Arabia
Women's rights are severely restricted in a country like Saudi Arabia. The population is deeply religious, so it follows all religious norms. For example, women are prohibited from driving a car, voting, using public transport without being accompanied by a husband or a male relative, or communicating with men (with the exception of relatives and a husband). The fair sex is required to wear long dark robes, and in some regions only the eyes are allowed to be left open.
The quality of education for women in Saudi Arabia is worse than for men. In addition, female students receive smaller scholarships than their male counterparts. And in general, the fair sex does not have the right to study, work or travel outside the country, unless their husband or close male relative has allowed them to do so. Even for rape in Saudi Arabia, a woman can be punished, not a criminal. In this case, the victim is charged with “provocation to rape” or violation of the dress code.
Saudi Arabia, whose population gives the main prerogative to men, adheres to the principles of sexual segregation. So, for example, houses have separate entrances for women and men, restaurants are divided into several zones (women's, men's and family), celebrations are held with separation, and studies for students of different sexes are held at different times so that boys and girls do not intersect .
The King of Saudi Arabia has repeatedly announced the imminent empowerment of women with certain rights. For example, he said that he would allow the fair sex to drive as soon as the Saudi society was ready for this step. Of course, equal rights for women and men in Saudi society will have to wait quite a long time (and this simply contradicts the norms of Islam), but there are already some indulgences for the fair sex.
The literacy rate of the inhabitants of the kingdom
Saudi Arabia, whose population is fairly literate (94.4% of citizens over the age of 15 can read and write), has different literacy rates for women and men. Thus, 97% of men and 91% of women can read and write, which is associated with the traditional oppression of the rights of the fair sex. However, among young people (from 15 to 24 years old), literacy rates are approximately equal: in Saudi Arabia, 99.4% and 99.3% of literate young people and girls, respectively.
Culture in Saudi Arabia
The culture of the kingdom is closely connected with the state religion. Muslims are forbidden to consume pork and alcohol, so mass festivities are practically excluded. In addition, cinemas and theaters are banned in the country, but such establishments exist in areas populated mainly by foreigners. Home video viewing is very common in Saudi Arabia, and Western films are largely uncensored.
The structure of the state economy
The country has 25% of the world's oil reserves, which determines the basis of the economy of a state like Saudi Arabia. Oil provides almost all export earnings (90%). In the last thirty years, industry, transport, and trade have also developed, while the share of agriculture in the economy is very small.
The currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi rial. The exchange rate of the monetary unit is pegged to the US dollar at a ratio of 3.75 to 1. In conclusion, information for tourists on how the currency of Saudi Arabia is converted in terms of the currencies of other countries: 100 rials is 1,500 rubles, 25 euros, 26.6 dollars United States of America.
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 the political map between Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman, the border is drawn not as a solid line, as is usually done, but as a broken line, because this border 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 the holy book of Muslims - the 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 is 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 his 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 a whole city - Ubar - drowned in a sandy stream. It was a large shopping center where many rich 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. The Hijaz and Asir mountains stretch here, where the highest point of the country is located - 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.
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
The monarchy flourishes in Saudi Arabia and is currently 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 welfare of the state has been kept at the highest level for a long time. Among the regular buyers of oil and gas are the United States, 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 dissatisfaction with international organizations that monitor the observance of human rights. The penalties for violating the laws of Islam are indeed very severe here. A small offense can cost a person a certain amount of money, and a big one can cost a head, in the truest sense of the 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 late Middle Ages, 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 through several other 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 of very 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 time of year, 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 for catching fish, which can easily compete with modern types of 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.
In this review, we will talk about Saudi Arabia, its history and geography, using Saudi primary sources and other materials.
This site review is made up of three parts:
Page 1. Reference section "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: characteristics and terms", prepared by the editors of our resource on Saudi and Western sources.
Page 2. Excerpts from the publication in Russian of the Saudi Ministry of Information "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: History, Civilization and Development: 60 Years of Achievement".
Page 3. Several fragments from the "History of Saudi Arabia" by Russian researcher Alexei Vasiliev.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: characteristics and terms
The emblem of the Saudi Ministry of Information, combining a palm tree and archaic sabers of the Saudi coat of arms with the ultra-modern television tower of Riyadh - the architectural symbol of the Saudi capital.
The emblem adorned one of the first publications in Russian of the ministry, published after the resumption of diplomatic relations in the 1990s - a book in a small album format, but quite detailed "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: History, Civilization and Development: 60 Years of Achievement", on which we will focus more details in the second part of this review.
desert
Ranked 13th in the world in terms of area (2,218,000 km²), this large country is mostly arid desert areas.
Despite the urban culture that has always been present in the history of Saudi Arabia and dominates today, the country declares its Bedouin culture as its basis. Bedouin from the Arabic word "badavi" - "desert dweller, nomad."
The most famous desert of Saudi Arabia Al-Rub Al-Khali - "Empty Quarter".
The Great Nefud (or, otherwise, Nafud) desert lies in the north of the Arabian Peninsula, it is called the younger sister of the Rub al-Khali desert. It is located on the other side of Nej, which on the other side borders on the Rub al-Khali.
Another term from Saudi geography is Wadi (otherwise, Vadis) - a valley or channel (bed) of a river flowing through arid areas, which is filled with water only during the rainy season.
Historical regions of Saudi Arabia, the circumstances of their accession and the current administrative division of the country
Map of Saudi Arabia.
The two most famous deserts of the country are signed in brown here - Al-Rub Al-Khali (RUB AL KHALI) and Nafud (AN NAFUD).
And between them is the natural-historical region of Nej (NAJAD), from where the state of the Saudis began.
We also see on the map the region of Hijaz (AL HIJAZ) with the cities of Mecca and Medina.
After the unification of Nej with Hijaz, Saudi Arabia arises.
Nej and Hijaz are now not reflected in any way on the modern administrative map of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, they are also marked in brown on the map as natural and historical areas.
But the province of Hail was more fortunate. It survived as an administrative entity headed by the provincial center that retained the same name. But Hail was, along with Hijaz, the worst enemy of the ruling house of the Saudis. The city of Hail can be found at the top of this map.
Starting from their family nest - the Nej region, the ruling Saudi dynasty gradually annexed all the surrounding state formations of the Arabian Peninsula.
Nedge
Nedge(from the Arabic "highlands") - the central region of Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of the ruling Saudi dynasty. Here is located the capital of the country is Riyadh (ar-Riyāḍ., the name comes from the Arabic word for "gardens".
In the suburbs of Riyadh, there are historical buildings and ruins of the old capital of the Saudis Diriyah (Deriyah). As for the term Nej, it is not currently referred to in Saudi Arabia as a political or administrative unit, but only as a geographical area.
Hijaz - the abolished state of the Sharifs of Mecca
Hijaz (from Arabic "barrier") is a historical coastal region on the Red Sea, including the desert territory of the same name and the mountains of Hijaz and Asir (from Arabic "difficult"), separating this coast from the central region of Saudi Arabia - Neja.
The Hijaz is home to the two holy Islamic cities of Mecca and Medina..
Saudi publications in Russian
In the 1990s, when diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia were restored with the USSR and then with Russia, the Saudi Ministry of Information published several illustrated books in Russian. The handbook The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the pamphlet The Two Holy Mosques, and the book The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: History, Civilization and Development: 60 Years of Achievement were published.
We will focus on the latter in more detail in this review.. It opens with a greeting from the then Saudi minister of information, Ali ibn Hassan al-Shaer: "This book is like a garden full of various flowers, or like a traveler who has arrived in an unfamiliar city for the first time and has only an hour of free time"...
The book "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: History, Civilization and Development: 60 Years of Achievement" is probably the very first Saudi publication about the Kingdom in Russian after the resumption of diplomatic relations. It is printed on excellent paper and well illustrated.
But it is clear that the Saudi printing house did not even have a Russian font at that time, so just a scanned typewritten set was used. In our illustration (see above, the very first illustration of this review, as well as) from the book with the emblem of the Saudi Ministry of Information, you can see this typewritten set.
There is still a vacuum of information about Saudi Arabia in Russia: the Saudis still do not have official Internet sites in Russian (with the exception of the empty site of the Saudi Arabian embassy).
Radio broadcasting in Russian, unlike some of its Arab neighbors, the country also never conducted (But it is significant that at the same time daily radio programs are conducted from Riyadh via satellite and short waves in Turkmen, Uzbek and Tajik - to the Muslim republics of Central Asia).
So, in order to understand how Saudi Arabia wants to present itself to an audience in Russia, we will limit ourselves to the consideration of the above-mentioned Russian-language Saudi publications. However, we have provided these materials with notes on current English-language sources and some other fascinating materials.
Before moving on to the texts from the books of the Saudi Ministry of Information, for a better understanding of the context, we offer a small reference material on the country, prepared by the editors of the site. The topics raised in this background paper are developed in other sections of this review.
From 1519, the Hijaz was part of the Ottoman Empire, while the desert interior of Saudi Arabia continued to be ruled by local Arab tribal leaders.
In 1916, with the help of Britain, an independent state was proclaimed in Hijaz under the leadership of the Sharif of Mecca, Hussein ibn Ali.
The term "sharif" comes from the Arabic meaning "noble". (In English, the spelling is "Sharif of Mecca" - "Sharif of Mecca", but in Russian the name is also sometimes translated as "Sheriff of Mecca"). The Sharifs of Mecca have always been the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. This position of the manager, or headman of Mecca, appeared during the period of the unified Arab caliphate at the end of the era of the Abbasids, who ruled from Baghdad. The position was retained under the Ottomans. Over the course of history, the Sharifs gradually extended their authority to Medina as well.
The aforementioned Hussein ibn Ali from the Hashemite clan of the descendants of Hashim ibn Abd al-Dar, the grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad, became the last sharif of Mecca, accepting in 1916 the new title of king of all Arabs - “malik bilad - al-arab”. Also in 1924, after the founding of the Republic of Turkey, Hussein ibn Ali proclaimed himself the caliph (from the Arabic word for "viceroy") - the spiritual and secular ruler of all Muslims, taking the title assigned to the Ottoman dynasty of Turkish sultans for many centuries.
During the First World War, being part of the Ottoman Empire, Hijaz sided with the Entente countries, which included Britain, while the Ottoman state was on the opposite side of the front (together with Germany). Britain supported the Arab movement for independence from the Ottomans. The adoption of the title of caliph by Hussein was facilitated by the actions of the republican authorities of the new Turkey, which deprived the Ottoman dynasty of the ruling status, first abolishing the sultanate, and after some time the caliphate in Turkey.
Despite the initial successes of the Sharif's house, he was unable to hold on to power in the Arabian Peninsula and would secure enough British support against the Saudis. As a result, in 1925, the British ally, the ruler of Nej and the future Saudi king, Abdul Aziz ibn Saud, conquered the Hejaz, taking care of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina from the sheriff family.
Hussein ibn Ali was forced to flee to the British colony of Cyprus. He died in 1931. After Hussein, the title of Caliph is again vacant. (Later, Great Britain promoted the proclamation of the sons of Hussein Abdullah and Faisal as kings of the newly formed on the site of the Turkish provinces of the Arab kingdoms of Syria and Iraq and artificially created between Iraq and Palestine of Jordan. Today, the descendants of the former sheriffs of Mecca are the rulers of only the Kingdom of Jordan. Iraq and Syria are republics).
In turn, the annexation of the Hejaz allowed Abdulaziz ibn Saud to proclaim the new kingdom of Nej, Hejaz and the annexed provinces, which in 1932 was renamed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in honor of the ruling dynasty.
Currently, the term Hejaz is not mentioned in Saudi Arabia as a political or administrative unit, but only as a historical region and the name of mountains.
Modern administrative division of Saudi Arabia.
hail
hail, another name for Jabal Shammar is a previously independent state in the northeast of the Arabian Peninsula, ruled by the Rashidite dynasty.
Was the main opponent of the Saudites during their struggle for Riyadh and the hinterland of the peninsula. Conquered by the future king of Saudi Arabia, Abdel-Aziom ibn Saud in 1921.
Now the province of Saudi Arabia Hail in the north-east of the country with the provincial center of the same name.
Al Hasa
Al-Hasa is a previously independent principality, and before that, a territory dependent on the Ottoman authorities. Conquered by Abdul-Aziom ibn Saud around 1921. Now part of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is now divided into the following provinces: Al-Baha, Al-Hudud al-Shamaliyya, Al-Jawf, Al-Madina, Al-Qasim, Riyadh, Al-Sharqiya (i.e. Eastern Province), Asir, Hail , Jizan, Mecca, Najran, Tabuk. Each province is led by an emir from the Saudi royal family. The modern territorial division is only indirectly connected with the historical division of the country.
Homeland of Islam and the ancestral home of the Arabs
Pictured from the British Daily Mail newspaper: Saudi King Abdullah (right) with Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican, during the visit of the Saudi monarch to the Papal States in 2007.
At the same time, we note that the king visits the center of the Christian world - the Vatican, despite the fact that the only official opportunity for a non-believer, for example, a Christian, to get into the holy cities of Saudi Arabia, Mecca and Medina, is to announce that he is going there to convert to Islam.
From the Arabian Peninsula, most of which is now occupied by Saudi Arabia, Islam spread throughout the world, and the Arabs began a progressive movement, capturing vast territories of the Near and Middle East and North Africa, as well as the Iberian Peninsula (present-day Spain and Portugal).
Two sacred mosques
In Saudi Arabia, there are two holy Islamic cities of Mecca and Medina, and the Saudi kings in their title consider the following part of it to be the most honorable: “Keeper (trustee) of the two sacred mosques”. (Note that public display of religious feelings of adherents of any religions other than Islam is prohibited in Saudi Arabia.
Also P Under the threat of the death penalty, the conversion from Islam to another faith is prohibited for all Saudi citizens. So all non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia are foreign nationals. . Saudi visas issued to foreign nationals always indicate religion, and according to these data, security posts around these cities filter out non-believers, turning back. The only official way for a non-believer to get into the holy cities is to announce that he is going there to convert to Islam. With all this in 2007, there was a friendly meeting between the current Saudi King Abdullah and Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican, where the king arrived on a visit at the invitation of the Pope).
leader of the arab world
Due to its oil revenues, as well as its reputation as the birthplace of Islam and belonging to the mainstream Sunni Islamic movement, the country is increasingly becoming the informal leader of the Arab and Islamic world. (This role is increasingly being ceded to Saudi Arabia by Egypt, previously considered such a leader, but in post-Nasser times, focused on solving its own economic problems and trying to avoid involvement in costly conflicts).
Country of oil. High quality of life
The Saudis may not have been lucky with the fertility of the land, but they were lucky with the minerals of these lands - the country is one of the world's leaders in oil production (it has 25% of the world's oil reserves), which made it possible to provide the country's not very large population (population 28,686,633 people, density −12 people/km²) a very high standard of living (US$25,338 per capita (2007).
Initially, the version about the presence of oil fields in Saudi Arabia was put forward as early as 1932 by an independent geologist K. Twichel, who visited the country and conducted research on the geological structure.
Officially, oil reserves were confirmed in 1938 by geologists from the American companies Standard Oil of California (SOKAL) and Texas Company (future Texaco). These companies still had to persuade the Saudi king that oil was good for the future of his country. But in the end, these companies got the right to work in Saudi Arabia. One of the reasons for the victory of American companies over the British in the right to obtain a concession for oil exploration and production is believed to be that the United States did not have an imperial past in the Middle East, and King Abdulaziz ibn Saud was less afraid for the independence of his country, collaborating with Americans.
The Saudi publication cited above, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: History, Civilization and Development: 60 Years of Achievement, writes about a significant oil date in the history of their country:
"Black gold" - oil was discovered in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia in 1357 Hijri (in 1938 according to the Greek calendar). The first ten thousand barrels of crude oil were exported on 11 Rabi al-Awwal, 1358 Hijri (05/01/1938 GR.). Due to the Second World War, oil production was suspended and was resumed after it ended ...
The discovery of oil in Saudi Arabia was a good omen for the young state, which suffered in the past from a lack of natural resources. Income from oil production has become a powerful basis for the development of the country ... "
Oil made it possible to create from scratch all the material elements for the life of modern society, and at the highest level: hospitals, schools, roads, entire cities.
The country is also trying to develop non-oil industries at the expense of oil money. A number of large industrial zones with enterprises of the metallurgical, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries have been built.
Already in the early 1990s, Saudi Arabia ranked first in the world in the field of seawater desalination.. Then the level of production reached 500 million gallons of drinking water per day with the help of 27 desalination plants located along the western and eastern coasts of the country. At the same time, these installations produced more than 3,500 megawatts of electricity.
With the help of projects for the use of groundwater and desalination of sea water, agriculture is being developed. For example, already in the 1990s, the country ranked first in the world in the production of dates. 500 thousand tons were produced per year. The number of palm trees was about 13 million. At the same time, the country took the 6th place in the world among producers and exporters of wheat. The country is fully self-sufficient in dairy products, eggs and poultry.
Middle Ages today
Despite the fact that the Saudis are reputed to be actively moving around the world and technologically advanced people, and the country pursues a generally pro-Western foreign policy, at the same time, in the sphere of morals, Saudi Arabia represents a real reserve of the past.
Slavery was abolished in 1962. By its decree of November 7, issued that year, the government announced the ransom of all remaining slaves from their owners at a price of $700 per slave and $1,000 per slave. Most of the owners were indignant at such a half-price of the market value, as the American magazine Newsweek wrote at the time, and simply set the slaves free, without turning to the government for compensation, because. in any case, after July 7, 1963, all slaves automatically became free.
Despite the fact that slavery in the country is already in the past, the Saudi state and society still has many features that seem to be a thing of the past.
Until now, on one of the squares of the capital of the country, Riyadh, public executions are carried out by cutting off the head. Also practiced in the country, for example, lashings and stoning (such punishment is provided in particular for women for treason), according to Sharia law. Marriages of Saudi citizens with foreigners are prohibited without special permission, who, as noted above, are not allowed into the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Recall that Saudi nationals are prohibited from preaching any other faith, except Islam.
For years, the Saudi government has fought the country's radical theologians about allowing women to be broadcasters on television. As a result, female presenters are present in the programs of both the first Arabic-language and the second international English-language channels of Saudi television. These channels, as well as Saudi radio in many languages, are now also available on satellite and on the Internet. But as before, the presenters of the programs, both men and women, are required to be dressed in medieval, or, as they would say in Saudi Arabia, traditional Arab robes (for men, this is a long shirt to the heels and a keffiyeh scarf on the head, and for women it is closed dress and scarf-abaya). The same attire is obligatory for all citizens while in public places.
Status of women
Saudi Arabia ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which entered into force in 1981 on August 28, 2000, but with the proviso that if any of the provisions of the Convention conflict with Islamic law, the kingdom will not be obliged to comply with these provisions .
Only in 2004 was the ban that prevented women from obtaining business licenses lifted. Previously, women could only open a business on behalf of a male relative.
According to Human Rights Watch, local women do not have the right to travel with their children without the written permission of their husbands, enroll their children in school and apply to government agencies where there are no special departments for serving women. (For an overview of news on the status of women in Saudi Arabia and the Islamic world, see our website).
The low status of Saudi women also affected their educational level. UN experts in their reports pointed to a high level of illiteracy among Saudi women. And the official Saudi publication “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: History, Civilization and Development: 60 Years of Achievement” reflected the backlog of female education in the country with its statistics for the last 25 years of the country’s development:
“The number of school students has grown from 537 thousand (of which 400 thousand are boys) to 2 million 800 thousand (of which 1 million 500 thousand are boys). The number of university students has increased from 6,942 to 122,100 people ... (At the same time) the number of female students has increased from 434 to 53 thousand people.
Returning from the statistics characterizing the position of women to their rights, we note that Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are not allowed to driveat. In June 2010, another human rights campaign failed to get the government to lift the driving ban.
The Russian Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation noted in April 2008:
“Saudi Arabia, living under strict Sharia law, is one of the most conservative countries in the world. The rules for the guardianship of a man over a woman are regulated here by the judiciary, which is under the control of the clergy.
The severity of Islamic norms in modern Saudi Arabia is aggravated by the fact that the country officially follows the doctrine of the medieval Islamic theologian Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Abd Al Wahhab, who advocated the so-called. "purity of Islam", but, in other words, for following the Islamic tradition in its most radical interpretation. Al Wahhab rendered important services to the royal house of Saud long before the advent of Saudi Arabia. It is also necessary to remember that modern Saudi Arabia was created with the active participation of the Ikhwans - a movement for "pure Islam", whose military formations helped the first Saudi king Abdulaziz ibn Saud capture Mecca and Medina and create Saudi Arabia.
Features of the Saudi monarchy
The absolute monarchy in Saudi Arabia also seems to be a kind of relic form of government. In Saudi Arabia, power is not transferred from father to son, as is customary in monarchies, but according to the internal agreement of the Saudi royal house - brothers, who are all sons of the first king of Saudi Arabia Abdulaziz ibn Saud (also spelled as Abd Al- Aziz Ibn Abd Ar-Rahman Al-Faisal Al Saud, who died in 1953. This founding king had 22 wives (from different tribal families of the country, thus strengthening the unity of the Saudi nation), 37 sons from different wives and several dozen daughters. And in our time (2010), the country is ruled by the son of the first king from the eighth wife, the elderly Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz al-Saud (born in 1924). And the heir to the throne - the son of the first king from another wife - Sultan ibn Abdulaziz Al as Saud (born in 1928).
Foreign policy
Despite the archaic state structure and radical Islamic doctrine, the country pursues a generally pro-Western foreign policy.
Over the past two decades, Saudi Arabia has twice supported Western countries on key issues: in 1991, during the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, which was liberated with the active cooperation of Saudis and Western countries, and in the current campaign against Islamic extremists, despite the fact that Saudi Arabia itself adheres to a rather radical version of Islam.
Diplomatic relations of the USSR, and then Russia and Saudi Arabia. For the first time, Moscow's relations with the then newborn Kingdom of Hejaz, Nejd and the annexed territories (renamed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1931) were established on February 16, 1926, when the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the ruler of Nej, Abdelaziz ibn Saud, annexed Hijaz by military means ( the territory of the region of Mecca and Medina, where a Russian political agency already existed, along with other European missions).
In the 1920s, it was believed in the USSR that by its appearance a new united Arabian kingdom expressed the aspirations of the oppressed peoples for self-determination. Accordingly, a Soviet note of recognition was drawn up:
“... The government of the USSR, based on the principle of self-determination of peoples and deeply respecting the will of the Hedjaz people, expressed in the election of you as their king, recognizes you as the king of Hejaz and the Sultan of Nejd and the annexed regions,” the note handed to Ibn Saud said. "Because of this, the Soviet Government considers itself in a state of normal diplomatic relations with Your Majesty's Government."
In a reply note, the king wrote: “To His Excellency the Agent and Consul General of the USSR. We had the honor to receive your note dated 3 Shaaban 1344 (February 16, 1926) No. 22, announcing the recognition by the Government of the USSR of a new position in Hejaz, which consists in the oath of the population of Hejaz to us as the King of Hejaz, the Sultan of Nejd and annexed regions, for which my Government expresses its gratitude to the Government of the USSR, as well as full readiness for relations with the Government of the USSR and its subjects, which are inherent in friendly powers ... . Compiled in Mecca on the 6th of Sha'ban 1344 (February 19, 1926)."
Later it turned out that the Saudi regime was too pro-Western and traditionalist for relations with the Stalinist Soviet Union, so in 1938 the Soviet embassy was withdrawn from the country, although diplomatic relations were not formally interrupted. The sides exchanged embassies again in 1991 .
Famous Saudis
Now, apart from the founding king of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz ibn Saud, who gave the country the name of his dynasty, the most famous Saudi is the notorious Osama bin Laden, who comes from a wealthy Saudi trading family.
Maxim Istomin for the site (All data at the time of writing the review: 30/07/2010);
On excerpts from the Saudi publication "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: History, Civilization and Development: 60 Years of Achievement", published by the Kingdom in Russian after the restoration of diplomatic relations.
Saudi Arabia is a country of numerous Muslim mosques. It was here that one of the most numerous religions in the world, Islam, was founded.
The country was opened for tourists quite recently, no more than three years ago. Saudi Arabia is pleased to offer its guests the unique flavor of the Arabian deserts, as well as numerous shrines of the Muslim world. The ancient traditions of the East and the modern environment make this country attractive for lovers of non-traditional recreation. Diving has become a feature of the country's tourism business, which allows you to explore the diversity of the unique underwater world of the Red Sea. Camel beauty pageants are unique in the world. And participation in the famous falconry will give you new experiences.
Climate and weather
The climate in Saudi Arabia is unusually arid and dry. The Arabian Peninsula is one of the few places where the temperature never drops below +50 °C in summer.
The north of the country belongs to the subtropical climate zone, and the south - to the tropical one. Snow here can only be seen in the mountains, and even then not every year. In January, the air temperature does not exceed +20 °C in cities and deserts, and on the Red Sea coast, the air warms up to +30 °C.
Summer in Saudi Arabia gets unusually hot. In the shade, the air temperature ranges from +35 °C to +45 °C. But in deserts, due to the ability of sand to give off heat very quickly, one can also encounter low temperatures, sometimes reaching 0 ° C. For this area, sharp changes in day and night temperatures are quite common.
Rainfall in Saudi Arabia is uneven. At the same time, in the east and in the center of the country, the rainy season lasts from February to April, and in the west - exclusively in winter (from late November to early February). In winter, thick fogs are often observed in the mountains of the Arabian Peninsula.
Tourists to visit Saudi Arabia prefer to choose periods from the first days of September to mid-October, as well as at the end of spring. Throughout May, the temperature is not too high here, and the sea wind brings some moisture to the rather dry air.
Nature
The nature of Saudi Arabia is truly unique. On the territory of this state you can find huge hot deserts, high cool mountains, and wonderful warm sandy beaches.
Along the coast of the Red Sea rise the beautiful and powerful mountains of Hijaz. The height of some of them reaches three kilometers. In the same area is one of the most attractive resorts in the Middle East - Asir. It attracts tourists from all over the world with its rather mild pleasant climate and unique vegetation. This resort is preferred by lovers of ecotourism.
The eastern part of the Kingdom is completely covered with deserts. The largest of them is Rub al-Khali, which occupies almost the entire south and part of the southeast of the country. It is the invisible border of Saudi Arabia with Oman and Yemen. The total area of deserts in this country reaches almost 1 million km2. Most often, these deserts are inhabited by nomadic Bedouin tribes.
Landmarks of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, as a strictly Muslim country, is notable for tourists for its religious relics and shrines. The most attractive to visit are the famous Arab cities, such as the capital Riyadh, Mecca, Medina and Jeddah.
The most visited city in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is its capital, Riyadh. The most popular attraction of this city is the citadel of old Riyadh, which houses the Museum dedicated to King Abdulaziz. Also widely known is the Royal Center, owned by the Prince of Saudi Arabia, it is the tallest building in the entire Kingdom. This huge complex includes a large number of residential apartments, offices, excellent restaurants and chic shopping centers.
Of course, no stay in Saudi Arabia is complete without a visit to the Muslim shrine - the city of Mecca. The founder of the most numerous religion in the world, Prophet Mohammed, was once born in this area. In Mecca, there is the Holy Mosque of Haram, known since 1570. Its area is over 300,000 km². This majestic building of Arabic architecture is completely lined with beautiful lilac marble and includes nine minarets, each of which reaches a height of almost 95 meters. The famous Haram can simultaneously accommodate up to 700 thousand people.
The Kaaba is located in the center of the Haram. Its corners are oriented to the cardinal points. The eastern corner of the Kaaba is distinguished from others by the presence of the Black Stone. Some scientists believe that this is a meteorite. But Muslims hold a different opinion that it was this stone that God gave to Adam, who was expelled from paradise, after his repentance. The legend says about the white color of the stone, which, after the touch of the sinners, he changed to black.
Mecca is known throughout the world for its many shrines of Islam. During the Hajj, this city is visited by more than two million people from all over the world. People who profess other religions cannot enter this holy place.
Another major attraction of Saudi Arabia is the Asir National Park, which is located near the city of Jeddah. Its unique vegetation and unique wildlife attract many ecotourists.
Kitchen
The national cuisine of Saudi Arabia includes the culinary traditions of all countries of the Middle East. The staple foods of the local Arabs are lamb, poultry, lamb, eggs, and fish. The traditional side dish for these dishes is rice with raisins. Traditional dishes of Arabic cuisine include all kinds of soups (rice, pea, bean) and stew, which is seasoned with onions and lentils.
Not a single feast in Saudi Arabia is complete without the national dish "burgul". This original name has porridge made from corn or wheat groats with the obligatory addition of sour milk. Also a popular dish, especially among the southern peoples of Saudi Arabia, is flour porridge with olive oil and pepper.
Local restaurants are happy to provide their customers with the famous national dish "guzi" - it includes baked lamb meat generously seasoned with special spices, rice and nuts.
As in other Arab countries, in Saudi Arabia, when preparing meat dishes, it is customary to use only heat treatment without adding fat. As a side dish, meat dishes are usually served with rice, which is traditionally seasoned with tomato paste and onions. Some restaurants may serve meat with french fries.
A large share in the diet of the inhabitants of Saudi Arabia is occupied by all kinds of fruits and vegetables. Dates and figs are especially popular here. Local residents pay great attention to the use of healthy nuts.
The most favorite drink in Saudi Arabia is coffee. In this country there is a special ceremony of preparing and drinking this wonderful drink. In Saudi Arabia, people are accustomed to flavoring coffee with all sorts of spices, especially cloves and cardamom, while Arabs do not add sugar to coffee at all. Arabs are very fond of various spices.
Dishes made from fermented milk products are especially popular in this country.
Accommodation
The development of the tourism business in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is only at an early stage. Strict Muslim customs create certain restrictions for attracting foreign tourists to this country, so not all hotels in the Kingdom have the required number of stars. Mostly those hotels that are part of large hotel chains have passed the international classification. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that all hotels and hotels are happy to offer visitors a service and comfort of a quite decent level, which meets all European standards.
Most of the best hotels are located in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. They offer their customers not only spacious and comfortable rooms, but also additional services of excellent restaurants, fitness centers, spas, swimming pools.
The Lyauzan Hotel, which was built exclusively for women, became absolutely special for this country. Here they, despite the rules of conduct prescribed in a Muslim country, can independently book and check into rooms.
The cost of renting an individual apartment in Saudi Arabia is about $800 per month in the capital of the state, and no more than $400 in other cities.
Entertainment and recreation
Most foreign tourists choose the capital of the state, Riyadh, to see local attractions. While there, you should definitely visit the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, where a huge exposition is presented, introducing visitors to the history and culture of this unique Muslim country. It is worth paying attention to the tallest building in the country - the Royal Center, which is owned by the prince. This building is usually associated with an oasis of modern life in Saudi Arabia.
None of the tourists who decide to come to this wonderful country will leave it without visiting Mecca. The "Mother of Cities" is called by the locals. This city is the most sacred place for all Muslims in the world and is a kind of center of the spiritual culture of the Kingdom. It is worth noting that only adherents of the Muslim religion can visit this place, dissidents are not allowed into Mecca. If, nevertheless, you managed to get into the territory of this ancient city, then you should definitely visit the famous Haram mosque, look into the main sanctuary of all Muslims - the Kaab.
Near the famous city of Medina is the most famous uninhabited city of Madain Salih. This is the largest and most exciting archaeological area in Saudi Arabia. Be sure to visit this unique place, and it will not leave you indifferent.
Saudi Arabia has one of the most beautiful coral reefs on the planet. Therefore, this country is simply a must-visit for all diving enthusiasts.
The real entertainment of men here is falconry. Many centuries ago, such an occupation was a kind of means of survival. To date, this is one of the most popular sports, however, the price for this type of recreation is not at all cheap. The cost of one hunting falcon reaches $80,000.
Another great entertainment in Saudi Arabia is magnificent and unforgettable yacht cruises along the coastal islands. Such a short trip, helping to get acquainted with the local beauties, will leave an indelible impression. The yachts that are used for such cruises have everything you need on board: air-conditioned rooms, separate cozy bedrooms, and spacious rooms with video systems.
For lovers of a relaxing holiday, Saudi Arabia is pleased to offer a great opportunity to catch local fish in deep waters in the Persian Gulf. If the captain stops the yacht in a fishing spot, then you will remember such an amazing bite for a lifetime.
It should be noted that fans of nightlife in Saudi Arabia will not find their usual activities, since such activities are prohibited by strict Sharia law.
Purchases
The fame of the country was brought not only by Muslim shrines, but also by a huge number of various outlets. These include traditional Arab markets, large department stores and major shopping malls. And here you can find both expensive boutiques and quite cheap shops.
Shopping is a favorite pastime of the locals, since other entertainment is prohibited by the Koran - in this country there is not a single night bar, club or casino.
Shops usually work without a fixed schedule. As a rule, the working hours of most outlets are from 9 to 13 hours, and also from 17 to 20 hours. During the month of Ramadan, shops are open from 8:00 pm to 1:00 am. Friday is a public holiday in Saudi Arabia. On this day, it is customary to attend traditional sermons and prayers in mosques.
As in all Eastern countries, the locals are madly in love with haggling. It is common for this country to be able to bring down the quoted price by more than 40%. You can bargain with sellers in almost all outlets, except for large supermarkets.
Transport
There are several modes of transport in Saudi Arabia. Railway communication (several hundred kilometers of roads) connects the capital Riyadh with major ports in the Persian Gulf. In addition, the construction of a separate railway line connecting Mecca and Medina has begun.
Public transport is represented mainly by city buses and taxis. The quality of the roads of the Kingdom leaves much to be desired. At the same time, roads in Riyadh are among the best in the country. The road surface in large cities has a special composition, which can significantly reduce the amount of reflected heat, which greatly saves local residents from the sweltering heat.
All buses in this country are very cozy and comfortable. The cost of one trip around the city ranges from 1 to 2 $.
There are 208 airports in Saudi Arabia, three of which have international status. The average price of one flight across the country ranges from $120 to $150.
With access to the sea, Saudi Arabia contains a large number of seaports. Some of them are quite large, for example, Jeddah, Duba, Jizan, Jubail. They are the main link between Saudi Arabia and nearby countries.
Connection
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Post, Telegraph and Telephone provides a fairly high level of communication. The mobile communication system in this country is excellently developed. In most cities, telephone companies prefer to dismantle old public telephones due to the fact that they are hardly used anymore. Almost all the inhabitants of this state, with the exception of some Bedouin tribes, are happy owners of mobile phones or radio stations.
The cellular network has a large coverage area: the area around Riyadh and other large oases. Only some areas of the desert are not served by cellular companies.
The World Wide Web is quite common in all major cities of Saudi Arabia. Most hotels, post offices and business centers provide their visitors with services to use the World Wide Web.
Telephone communication in this country is provided with the latest equipment, which allows to achieve high quality data transmission. Using simple street machines, you can make a phone call to anywhere in the world. The cost of such a call will be a little less than $ 2. The operation of such machines is carried out both from coins and from a prepaid plastic card.
Safety
Saudi Arabia is closed to solo travelers. All movements around the country must be carried out exclusively in groups and accompanied by a local tour operator, whose duties include accompanying tourists everywhere and monitoring their timely departure.
There are practically no restrictions on movement around the country. The exceptions are the ancient Muslim cities of Medina and Mecca, which are closed to visitors of other religions. It is worth noting that local legislation even prohibits the import into this Muslim country of items that are related to other religions.
Saudi Arabia can be called a relatively safe country. Almost all tourist trips take place without criminal incidents. In large cities, including the capital, street crime is completely absent. This is due to the special mentality of the Arabs, as well as methods of combating the organization of crimes. Local authorities prefer to deal with hooligans by fines.
If we talk about the features of road transport, it is worth mentioning that the traffic in Saudi Arabia is one-way, and the speed in cities and towns is reduced to 40 km / h. Such an innovation is quite unusual for Europeans.
Business
Huge oil reserves in Saudi Arabia have made this country the main producer and exporter of oil products in the world (the closest rival of the Kingdom in this area is the Russian Federation). Such a colossal concentration of natural resources makes the country attractive for doing business. Moreover, recently the Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz, introduced some innovations into the legislation of his country that make it easier to do business. This is especially true for the tourism industry.
With the increasing interest of Muslim tourists in the beauties of famous religious shrines and due to the implementation of policies that soften the rules of the Koran, some foreign businessmen prefer to invest in the economy of this particular country, which is currently the most promising in the development of religious tourism.
It is worth noting that recently Saudi Arabia is known for holding major summits and conferences related to oil production and export.
Real estate
Most scholars believe that the real estate market in Saudi Arabia is practically the most stable in the world. It is not affected by the global economic crisis. Thanks to the deliberate strengthening of the country's economy and a good demographic situation, the real estate market of the Kingdom is growing steadily.
This state has the largest real estate market among the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf. Due to the high level of urbanization, large cities of the country began to develop quite quickly, which required the construction of new residential buildings.
More recently, Saudi Arabia passed a law allowing the sale of real estate and building land to foreign nationals. But there are some limitations here. Firstly, a potential buyer must permanently reside in the state and acquire real estate only for their own use. It is also allowed to sell premises to foreign investors for doing business in the state.
Secondly, when buying a land plot in Saudi Arabia for a positive decision of the General Investment Management, the cost of the construction project must exceed $ 8 million. In addition, the entire amount of investment must be made in the country within five years. Otherwise, the purchase will be refused.
It should be noted that the sale of real estate to foreigners in Mecca and Medina is strictly prohibited.
Rules of conduct in Saudi Arabia
If you want to visit this unique Kingdom, you should pay attention to some strict rules of behavior in Muslim society.
When entering the state, women must wear a veil or a long dress that covers their legs and arms. A prerequisite for a woman to go out into the street is to cover her head with a scarf. If you violate these rules, you may be expelled from the country without explanation.
Any immodest clothing that exposes arms above the elbow and legs, as well as a woman’s head not covered with a scarf, can cause sharp condemnation from the religious police.
In Saudi Arabia, women of any nationality are prohibited from driving.
Although the ban on photography and video filming in public places has recently been lifted in Saudi Arabia, special permission is required to photograph military installations and people, private and public property.
For the use of alcoholic beverages, narcotic drugs, for committing theft or premeditated murder, according to local laws, a very serious punishment threatens: from chopping off hands to decapitation.
Visa Information
When visiting Saudi Arabia, make sure you have the required visa. It is strictly forbidden to enter this country for people who have an Israeli passport or an Israeli visa, as well as people who have a mark in their passport about the Jewish religion.
The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Moscow is located at the address: 119121, Moscow, 3rd Neopalimovsky lane, 3.
culture
Religion permeates the entire society: it shapes and defines the cultural and artistic life of the country. Historically, Saudi Arabia has not been subject to the foreign cultural influence that other Arab states have experienced. The country lacks a literary tradition comparable to that of the Arab countries of the Mediterranean. Perhaps the only known Saudi writers are historians of the late 19th century, of whom Osman ibn Bishr can be considered the most famous. The absence of a literary tradition in Saudi Arabia is partly offset by a deeply rooted tradition in oral prose and poetry dating back to pre-Islamic times. Music is not a traditional art form in Saudi Arabia. Its development in recent decades as a means of artistic expression has been nullified by the prohibition imposed by the Ulema Council on its performance for entertainment purposes. There are few performers of folk music and songs, and they are all men. Among the most famous musical performers are the first pop star of Saudi Arabia Abdu Majid-e-Abdallah and the virtuoso of the Arabic lute (oud) Abadi al-Johar. Egyptian pop music is also popular in the country. The same strict ban was imposed on the depiction of human faces and figures in painting and sculpture, although this does not apply to photography. Artistic pursuits are limited to the creation of architectural ornaments, such as friezes and mosaics, incorporating traditional forms of Islamic art.
Wahhabism disapproves of the erection of elaborately decorated mosques, so that modern religious architecture is inexpressive, in contrast to ancient, aesthetically more interesting ones (for example, the Kaaba sanctuary in Mecca). The most significant religious architectural work of recent years seems to be the restoration and decoration of the mosque at the burial site of the Prophet in Medina, as well as the significant expansion and renovation of the Great Mosque in Mecca. The austerity of religious architecture is offset by the flourishing of civil architecture. In cities, palaces, public buildings and private houses are being built on a large scale; most of them harmoniously combine modern ideas and traditional design.
There are no theaters and public cinemas in the country, spectacles and performances are prohibited.
Arab nomads inhabiting the desert regions roam between pastures and oases in search of food and water. Their traditional dwellings are tents woven from black sheep and goat wool. Settled Arabs are characterized by dwellings made of bricks dried in the sun, whitewashed or painted with ocher. Slums, once quite common, are now rare thanks to government housing policies.
The staple foods of the Arabs are mutton, lamb, chicken and game seasoned with rice and raisins. Common dishes include soups and stews cooked with onions and lentils. Many fruits are eaten, especially dates and figs, as well as nuts and vegetables. Coffee is a popular drink. Used camel, sheep and goat milk. Sheep milk ghee (dahn) is commonly used for cooking.
Men play a dominant role in Saudi society. A woman cannot appear in a public place without a veil over her face and a cape that covers her body from head to toe. Even in her house, she may not cover her face only in front of the men from her family. The female (“forbidden”) half of the house, harim (hence the word “harem” comes from), is separated from the part where guests are received. Among the Bedouin women are usually more free; they may appear in society without a veil over their face and talk with strangers, nevertheless they occupy a separate tent or part of the family tent. Marriage is considered a civil contract and is accompanied by a financial agreement between the spouses, which must be registered in a religious court. And although romantic love is a perennial theme of Arabic, especially Bedouin, poetry, marriages, as a rule, are organized without the participation or consent of the bride and groom. The main duty of a wife is to care for her husband and meet his needs, as well as raising children. As a rule, marriages are monogamous, although a man is allowed to have up to four wives. Only the wealthiest citizens can afford to enjoy this privilege, but even so, preference is given to one rather than several wives. The husband may at any time apply to a judge (kadi) for a divorce, the only restrictions on him being the marriage contract and the relationship between the families concerned. A woman can apply to a qadi for a divorce only in cases where there are grounds for this, for example, mistreatment by her husband and poor maintenance, or sexual neglect.
Story
The eastern parts of present-day Saudi Arabia were settled in the fourth or fifth millennium by immigrants from southern Iraq. The Nabattin Empire was the greatest of the early empires, stretching as far as Damascus in the first century BC.
In the early 18th century, the Al Sauds, the current ruling dynasty of Saudi Arabia, became sheikhs in the Dirayah oasis, near present-day Riyadh. In the middle of the 18th century, they allied with Mohammed bin Abdul Wahhab, and created Wahhabism, a religious movement that goes back to the origins of Islam, which is now the main religion of Saudi Arabia. By 1806, the Wahhabi armies had captured much of what is now Saudi Arabia and southern parts of Iraq.
This situation was not supported in Constantinople, since in theory the western part of Arabia was part of the Ottoman Empire. In 1812, the empire regained western Arabia, but by the end of the 19th century, the Al Saud retreated to Kuwait, where they were given refuge. Hence, one of the great leaders of the Al Saud, Ibn Saud, using all conceivable and unthinkable means, was able to return Riyadh, and in 1925 Jeddah.
In 1939, Chevron discovered oil fields in Saudi Arabia, but when World War II began, oil production dropped significantly. By the 1950s rulers were earning up to $1,000,000 a week from oil production, and by the 1960s. The country received 80% of its income from the sale of oil. Because of the embargo on Arab oil in 1973-74. oil prices have quadrupled and Saudi Arabia has become something of a world leader. While the government was raking in money, a building boom began in Saudi Arabia. But oil attracted a lot of interested countries and relations between Saudi Arabia and its neighbors began to deteriorate sharply. The massacre of 400 Iranian Hajj pilgrims in 1987 led Iran to boycott the pilgrimage to Mecca for several years.
When Iraq occupied Kuwait in 1990, the Arabians became nervous and asked the US to send troops to protect Saudi Arabia. Although Arabia was not invaded, the crisis led to political changes and in 1993 the king established an advisory council whose members were appointed by the king and could comment on proposed laws.
The days of easy oil money are over, the country's population is skyrocketing (the average Saudi woman gives birth to six children) and the kingdom is ruled by an aging King Fahd who faces these intractable problems. In 1999, this inaccessible country hosted its first expensive tour. But still, for an ordinary traveler to get into the country is almost impossible. Only Muslims making a pilgrimage to Mecca or Medina and those lucky ones who can receive an invitation from a citizen of Saudi Arabia can count on obtaining a visa.
Economy
Currently, the backbone of the Saudi Arabian economy is free private enterprise. Meanwhile, the government exercises control over the main areas of economic activity. Saudi Arabia has the largest oil reserves in the world, is considered the largest oil exporter and plays a leading role in OPEC. Proved reserves of crude oil amount to 261.7 billion barrels, or 35 billion tons (26% of all reserves), and natural gas - about 6.339 trillion. cube m. (as of January 2002). Oil brings the country up to 90% of export earnings, 75% of government revenues and 35–45% of GDP. Approximately 25% of GDP comes from the private sector.
In 1999, the government announced plans to begin privatization of electrical companies, following the privatization of telecommunications companies. To reduce the kingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment for the rapidly growing Saudi population, the private sector has been booming in recent years. The main priorities of the Saudi government in the near future is to allocate additional funds for the development of water infrastructure and education, since water shortages and rapid population growth do not allow the country to fully provide itself with agricultural products.
The share of industry in the country's GDP is 47% (1998). The growth of industrial production in 1997 was 1%. In the past, Saudi Arabian industry was underdeveloped, especially non-oil industries.
The share of agriculture in the country's GDP increased from 1.3% in 1970 to more than 6.4% in 1993 and 6% in 1998. During this period, the production of basic foodstuffs increased from 1.79 million tons to 7 million tons. Saudi Arabia is completely devoid of permanent watercourses. The lands suitable for cultivation occupy 7 million hectares, or less than 2% of its territory. Although the average annual rainfall is only 100 mm, Saudi Arabia's agriculture, which uses modern technology and machinery, is a dynamic industry.
Long-term hydrological studies, begun in 1965, made it possible to discover significant water resources suitable for agricultural use. In addition to deep wells throughout the country, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of Saudi Arabia operates more than 200 reservoirs with a total volume of 450 million cubic meters. m. The country is the world's largest producer of desalinated water. In the mid-1990s, 33 desalination plants desalinated 2.2 billion liters of seawater daily, thus meeting 70% of the population's drinking water needs.
Saudi Arabia reflect its role as the world's leading oil exporter. Most of the profits from foreign trade were invested abroad and went to help foreign countries, in particular Egypt, Jordan and other Arab countries.
Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest economic donors: in 1993 it provided $100 million for the reconstruction of Lebanon; Since 1993, the country has transferred $208 million in aid to the Palestinians.
