Introduction to Geography of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia,or Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a country occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula in southwestern Asia. It lies between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf and is bordered by Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Saudi Arabia's borders with the United Arab Emirates and with part of Yemen are undefined.
Facts in brief about Saudi ArabiaCapital: Riyadh.Official language: Arabic.Official name: Al-Mamlaka Al-Arabiyya Al-Saudiyya (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).Area: 830,000 mi2 (2,149,690 km2). Greatest distances—north-south, 1,145 mi (1,843 km); east-west, 1,290 mi (2,076 km). Coastline—1,174 mi (1,889 km) on the Red Sea; 341 mi (549 km) on the Persian Gulf.Elevation: Highest—10,279 ft (3,133 m) above sea level, in the Asir region near Abha. Lowest—sea level.Population: Current estimate—26,362,000; density, 32 per mi2 (12 per km2); distribution, 86 percent urban, 14 percent rural. 2004 census—22,673,538.Chief products: Agriculture—barley, dates, millet, sorghum, tomatoes, wheat. Manufacturing—cement, fertilizer, food products, petrochemicals, steel. Mining—petroleum.Flag and coat of arms: Saudi Arabia's flag, adopted in 1973, has a Muslim religious inscription and horizontal white sword on a green background. The coat of arms features a palm tree and two crossed swords. The symbols appear in green, the traditional Muslim color.Money: Basic unit—Saudi riyal. One hundred halalas equal one riyal.Physical Geography
Saudi Arabia is a country in Southwest Asia, in an area of the world called the Middle East.LandIn general, Saudi Arabia is high and mountainous along the Red Sea, in the west, and slopes gradually eastward to the Persian Gulf. The mountainous region, which is known as Hejaz in the north and Asir in the south, rises abruptly from a narrow coastal plain to heights of 8,000 to 10,000 feet (2,440 to 3,050 m). In many areas the terrain is deeply eroded and rugged; some sections are covered by extensive lava flows. East of the mountains lies the Nejd, a high central plateau with a relatively level surface. In some areas long clifflike hills rise abruptly from the Nejd.
Bordering the plateau are three of Saudi Arabia's largest and most barren deserts---the Nefud in the north, the Dahna in the east, and the Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter) in the south. The Rub al Khali, covering an area about the size of Texas, is an almost continuous body of sand. It is little explored and rarely crossed. Along the Persian Gulf stretches the low-lying, oil-rich Eastern Province, also known as Hasa.
WaterSituated in one of the most arid regions on earth, Saudi Arabia suffers from a severe lack of water. There are no lakes or rivers---only wide gullies, called wadis, that flow briefly after rains and end in the desert. Normally, water is available only at oases---for centuries the basis of almost all of Saudi Arabia's settled life. Also important are deep underground sources of water in some parts of the country and desalinization projects, which provide water for some of the large cities.
ClimateSummers are intensely hot, especially in the interior. Here temperatures average above 90º F. (32º C.) and daytime highs sometimes reach more than 120º F. (49º C.). Nights usually bring a drop of 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (17 to 22 degrees Celsius). Summers are extremely oppressive along the coasts, where high humidity accompanies the intense heat Winter is the most pleasant time of the year; temperatures in most areas average between 55º and 75º F. (13º and 24º C.). Daytime winter readings are occasionally high, but nights are invariably cool. In some places, particularly the high inland areas, frost occurs.
Except in the highlands of Asir, where the annual rainfall ranges from 12 to 20 inches (300 to 500 mm) Saudi Arabia receives very little rain---in most places less than 4 inches (100 mm) annually. Some areas go rainless for years. Most of the rain falls during winter.
Economy
Like many countries in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is undergoing numerous changes because of its great petroleum wealth. Until after World War II, when the oil boom came, the economy was based almost entirely on subsistence farming and nomadic herding, both of which had remained unchanged for hundreds of years. There was no industry and very little trade or commerce. One of the few sources of revenue was the hajj (pilgrimage) made by thousands of Muslims to the holy city of Mecca each year.
Since the mid 20th century, petroleum has provided the government with the money needed for modernization. In fact, the increase in the price of oil in the late 20th century led to a spate of development in the country. Among the many undertakings are the development of water resources; the modernization of agriculture; the improvement of transportation, communication, and education; electrification; and the establishment of manufacturing. Development is guided by five-year plans drawn up by the Saudi government.
Oil and Natural GasSaudi Arabia is the world's leading producer of petroleum and natural gas. The large reserves of oil in the country contain around 260 billion barrels of oil, which account for about a fourth of the world's identified oil reserves. Most of the oil is produced (both inland and offshore) in the Eastern Province, and the Persian Gulf. Virtually all the oil is produced by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco), which is owned by the government. The country also has a major role in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
To a large extent the oil is exported unrefined, mostly through the Persian Gulf terminal at Ras Tanura but also via pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. However, crude oil is increasingly being refined within Saudi Arabia, mainly at Ras Tanura, Jidda, and Yanbu.
Most of Saudi Arabia's natural gas is produced as a by-product of the oil industry. Liquefied petroleum gas (LP gas) is the chief product of the natural gas industry, and the country is a major exporter of this product.
As far as natural resources are concerned, Saudi Arabia lacks in permanent rivers or fresh water bodies, resulting in inadequate water sources. The main resource for the water required for agriculture is an underground reservoir that runs from the highlands to the east of Turkey. Desalination plants in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, which remove the salt from sea-water, provide Saudi cities and towns with water.
Agriculture
A large, but declining, number of Saudi Arabians still rely on a traditional kind of agriculture or nomadic herding for a living. The tilled area, which amounts to less than 1 per cent of the total area, consists mainly of irrigated oasis land and tracts in the southwest of the country, especially Asir, as well as central and eastern Saudi Arabia. Wheat, barley, millet, sorghum, tomatoes, watermelons, citrus fruits, and dates are significant crops. Modern irrigation techniques introduced in the late 20th century helped farmers to produce a greater variety of crops in greater quantities. However, all the food requirements of the country are not produced, and many foods must be imported. The raising of livestock for milk, meat, and wool is particularly important, especially to the Bedouins, who roam the deserts with their herds and flocks. Chickens, cattle, sheep, and goats are the chief animals raised. Eggs are also one of the dairy products.
The fishing industry of Saudi Arabia is quite small, the only important seafood product of the country being the shrimp caught from the Persian Gulf.
Manufacturing and MiningThe expansion of manufacturing is one of the chief goals set by the Saudi government to lessen the country's dependence on petroleum exports. Heavy industry is emphasized. Petroleum refining, truck assembly, and the making of steel pipe, petrochemicals, fertilizer, and cement are among the manufacturing industries established so far. The Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), a government owned firm manages plants producing a variety of products such as chemicals, fertilizers, and steel. The east coast, especially around Jubail and Dammam, is the chief area where industrial development is taking place. Yanbu is the main center of industrial development on the west coast. There is also some small-scale, local production of processed foods and consumer goods. Mining is a small but growing industry.
A number of minerals are produced in Saudi Arabia, for instance, there are small deposits of gold in Hejaz. There are also deposits of cadmium, copper, iron, lead, platinum, silver, and zinc, but they are largely undeveloped. Clay, gypsum, and limestone are also mined.
TransportationVast areas of Saudi Arabia have no transportation facilities and are accessible only by camel or helicopter. Outside of these areas modern transportation is being developed. The building of asphalt roads is a major priority, and many have been completed, mainly in coastal areas and inland to Riyadh, the capital. Riyadh is linked by rail to Ad Dammam, the Persian Gulf port, and Hofuf.
The country's chief cargo ports are Jidda, Ad Dammam, Jubail, and Yanbu. However, it is Ras Tanura, a port in the Persian Gulf that handles most of the oil exports of the country. A causeway links Saudi Arabia to Bahrain. International airports are located at Riyadh, Jidda, and Dhahran, and Ad Dammam. Saudia, or the Saudi Arabian Airlines, is the national airline, owned and operated by the government.
About 10 daily newspapers are published in Saudi Arabia, including three in English, the rest in Arabic. Most Saudi families possess at least one radio and television set, and satellite dishes are widespread in the urban areas.
Petroleum accounts for about 90 per cent of Saudi Arabia's exports, the rest coming from the export of chemicals, plastics, and processed foods. Saudi Arabia imports such products as automobiles, chemicals, electrical equipment and appliances, food products, machinery, military equipment, and textiles. The chief trading partners of Saudi Arabia include Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The People
The indigenous population is virtually all Arab, except for some Negroid groups. A small minority of Arabs called Bedouins live a nomadic tribal life. Most Saudis belong to the orthodox Wahhabi sect of the Sunni branch of Islam. There is a substantial foreign population, which includes persons from the United States and Europe as well as persons from such Islamic countries as Egypt, Iran, and Pakistan. Arabic is the official language.
Education in Saudi Arabia is free at all levels, but it is not compulsory. There is a shortage of schools and teachers. Illiteracy is estimated at about 75 per cent and is highest among the Bedouins. Universities are located in the major cities.
Government
Saudi Arabia is a monarchy ruled by a king from the Al Saud royal family. Under three royal decrees of 1992, called "The Basic Law of Government," the Qur’an, the Muslim holy book, and the Sunnah, the example of the words and practices of Muhammad are considered to be the constitution. These two texts constitute the Shari`ah. Religious scholars, or the ulama are responsible for the interpretation of the Shari`ah and see that the Saudi laws abide to it. The royal decree also declares that the king holds executive and legislative powers, and serves as prime minister as well as appoints his cabinet, the Council of Ministers. The cabinet enacts all laws. The king also appoints a 150-member consultative council, which advises the cabinet and may propose new laws and review existing ones. It is headed by a chairman. All changes to Saudi law need the approval of the monarch. Most of the important positions in the government are held by members of the royal family. The king is also the leader of the spiritual affairs of the country, and holds the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the two mosques being the Great Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.
For administrative purposes, the country is divided into 13 provinces, headed by governors who are appointed by the king. The provinces have councils made up of government officials, as well as royally appointed members. There are no written laws in Saudi Arabia. The nation's court system is based on Islamic law, and court rulings are dependent on the manner in which each individual qadi (judge) interprets the Shari’ah.. Civil and criminal cases are all handled by a system of religious courts, presided over by one or more judges, and having no jury. There is also a court of appeals, though the king acts as the final court of appeal. The king also issues royal decrees that deal with matters which do not fall under the Shari’ah, such as commercial and traffic regulations. This, he does with leaders of the local government acting as judges. There are also some specialized committees that hear some of these cases. Government decisions, however, may be appealed to a Board of Grievances, though the board is responsible to the king and Council of Ministers.
The Saudi Arabian defense force consists of the Saudi army, navy, air force, and air defense forces. All military service is voluntary, and women do not serve. There is also a National Gurad that handles internal security. Modern military equipment and training is provided to Saudi Arabia by the United States.