Map of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia traces its roots back to the earliest civilizations of the

Arabian Peninsula. Over the centuries, the peninsula has played an

important role in history as an ancient trade center and as the

birthplace of Islam, one of the world’s major monotheistic religions.

Since King Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud established the modern Kingdom of

Saudi Arabia in 1932, its transformation has been astonishing.

In a few short decades, the Kingdom has turned itself from a desert

nation to a modern, sophisticated state and a major player on the

international stag

The capital city of Riyadh is located in Najd. A chain

of mountains in western Saudi Arabia runs parallel to

the Red Sea. The Hejaz region along the Red Sea

contains the holy cities of Makah and Medina, the

port city of Jeddah and the summer capital of Taif.

Today the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia holds the world's

largest reserves of petroleum (26% of proven total).

Saudi Arabia’s fast growing population (26 million

people today, compared to 12 million 20 years ago)

have witnessed these changes within their own

lifetime.

General Stats

• Total Area: 1,960,582 sq km (all Land), about one-fifth the size of the United States

• Climate: harsh, dry with great temperature extremes, mostly uninhabited, sandy desert

• Natural Resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

• Arable Land: 1.67% versus US at near 18%

• Population: 27,019,731 including 5,576,076 non-nationals

• Conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• Government Type: Monarchy

• Constitution: governed according to Shari'a law; the Basic Law that articulates the

government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993

Government

“Arabic is the basic means of communication”

Saudi Arabia – A Land of Muslims Two Holy Mosques

Saudi men wear the traditional dress called a thobe. Wearing the thobe expresses equality and is also perfectly

suited to the hot Saudi climate. During warm and hot weather,

white thobes are worn by Saudi men and boys. During the cool

weather, wool thobes in dark colors are not uncommon. At

special times, men often wear a bisht or mishlah over the

thobe. These are long white, brown or black cloaks trimmed in

gold.

A man's headdress consists of three things: the tagia,

a small white cap that keeps the gutra from slipping off the

head; the gutra, which is a large square of cloth; and the

igal, a doubled black cord that holds the gutra in place. Some

men may choose not to wear the igal. The gutra is usually made

of cotton and traditionally Saudis wear either a white one or a

red and white checked one.

Saudi Men Dress

A Saudi women appears in public, she normally

wears a voluminous black cloak called an abaya, a

scarf covering her hair and a full face veil. There are

varying opinions regarding the wearing of the abayah

and the veil; however, Saudi women cover themselves

in public and in the presence of men who are not close

relatives

Non-Muslim women living in Saudi Arabia often

wear the abayah as a sign of respect for local customs.

Saudi Women Dress

Saudi – Traditional Heritages , Arts And Crafts

Cont

Cont…. Crafts

The Saudi Arabian monarchial government recognizes the

Quran as the Constitution of the country.

The Customs and Traditions in Saudi Arabia are based on

the tenets mentioned in the Quran.

Saudi Village

Cont.….

Saudi - Traditional Architecture and House Designs

Saudi – Guest’s Value

Saudi Date ) تمور ) – A unique Market and Taste

-Abha / Qaseem cities

-17 Million SR sales per day

Saudi – A land of desert

Saudi – Sports

Saudi Calligraphies

The Saudi Kingdom is well known for its variety of

traditional dishes that reflect the diversity of the

regions and the custom of the people. Most of the

dishes contain meat, rice, wheat, vegetables and

spices that give these recipes a special flavor.

One of Saudi Arabia's most famous dishes is Al-

Kabsa. Al-Kabsa is made of rice cooked with red or

white meat or chicken in a pot. A variety of spices

and salads can be added to the dish. Al-Kabsa is

considered a staple dish throughout the Kingdom

Meat/Chicken is cooked in various ways. A popular

way of preparing meat is called Al-Mandi.

Silig is a traditional food from Saudi Arabia. This

kind of food is made of rice and milk mixed together. It

tastes really good. It is served at big parties. Some

people add a green salad; others like it with hot sauce.

Cont.

Different Traditions Foods

Saudi – Dance

Saudi – Traditional Festivals

Saudi Marriage

Marriage was not a sacrament but a civil contract, which had

to be signed by witnesses and which specified an amount of money

(mehr) to be paid by the husband to the wife. It might further

include an agreement for an additional amount to be paid in the

event of divorce.

The amount of the mehr averaged between 25,000 and 40,000

Saudi riyals (for value of the riyal).

In the early 1990s, although some couples rejected the mehr

altogether, stipulating only a token amount to satisfy the legal

requirement necessary to validate the marriage contract.

Saudi – A World Largest Oil Producer

Saudi Society and Western

-Immigration and Customs

-Passport or "Iqama" Should Always Be Carried .

-Women Travelling Alone.

- Women Cannot Drive.

-Prayer Time and Shopping.

-The "Religious Police”

Ministry of Culture and Information

Thank You For PayingAttention!

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