Official name
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Capital
Riyadh
Population
19,409,058 (July 1996 est.)
Population density
7.3 per sq km / 18.9 per sq mi
Population distribution
77.3% urban, 22.7% rural
Land area
2,331,000 sq km (900,000 sq mi)
Type of government
Monarchy
Government leade
King Fahad bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
Legislature
Consultative Council appointed by the King
Political subdivisions
14 emirates
Official language
Arabic, but English is widely spoken in commerce and business
Official religion
Islam
Saudi Arabia does not allow the practice of any other religion within its borders.
Literacy (1990)
62.4% of adult population
Universities (1989)
7
Hospital beds (1988)
32,371
Life expectancy (1992)
Women, 68
Men, 65
Infant mortality (1992)
59 per 1000 live births
GDP (1991 est)
$104 billion
$5800 per capita
Foreign trade (1990)
Imports $21.5 billion
Exports $44.3 billion
Currency
Saudi riyal
$1 = 3.75 riyals
Railroads
893km (555 mi)
Roads (1988)
92,802km (57,644 mi)
Major ports
7
Major airfields
7
Weights & measures
Metric
Power
Both 110 and 220 volts, 60 cycles AC
380 volts is used for industrial purposes
Working hours
Government: 7:30am-2:30pm
Private businesses and shops: about 9:30am-2:00pm, and about 5:00pm-10:00pm.
The work week begins on Saturday and runs through to Wednesday or Thursday.
Official holidays
Friday is the Islamic day of rest, corresponding to Sunday in the west.
Government offices are also closed on Thursdays.
Public holidays
There are two every year: Eid Al Fitr which comes after the month of Ramadhan, the month of fasting; and Eid Al Adha which is during the month of pilgrimage or Haj.
Flag
The white Arabic script on the flag translates to: "There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His Prophet"
Time zone
GMT +3 hours
International dialling code
+966