Where is Saudi Arabia. History and geography of Saudi Arabia, the specifics of the country

The capital of Saudi Arabia, the city of Riyadh, modern world plays an important role. If we turn to historical data, we can see that overland trade routes and caravan routes intersected at this place. At this intersection, an artisan village was formed. Riyadh grew out of this village. In 1233 the city was destroyed by the Egyptians. But already in 1240 it was restored and surrounded by a fortress, in which there was a mosque and the palace of the ruler.

In the second half of the 16th century, after the capture by Abulaziz bin Abdulrehman Al Faisal, the city became the capital of a state that the Arabs were trying to create, taking advantage of the weak political influence of Turkey.

In 1744, the first Sudov state was created, which was destroyed by the Ottoman Empire 73 years later. In 1824, the second Saudi state was created by the Saudi dynasty with its capital in Riyadh. After 65 years, the country was conquered by the Rashid dynasty. In 1902, the Saudi dynasty began to attempt to regain control of Arabia with the help of Turkey and Great Britain. In 1920, the Rashid dynasty was overthrown.

Since the 19th century, there has been an active political movement for the unification of the tribes inhabiting the country and for liberation from Turkish rule, and the capital of Saudi Arabia becomes its center. The goal of this movement was to create a unified state with centralized power. As a result, in 1932 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established, the capital of which remained in the city of Riyadh.

Riyadh remained a typical Arab city until the 50s. XX century. The main building was the emir's palace. On the narrow winding streets were located with courtyards. At this time in Saudi Arabia are discovered huge The country is turning into one of the richest. Mud houses are being demolished in the capital. The city is practically being rebuilt. Skyscrapers are being built. On the wide streets there are schools, hotels, shopping centers, mosques, private villas. All ministries and main state institutions are transferred to the capital.

But the capital of Saudi Arabia has also preserved historical sights of antiquity - the Royal Palace of Murabba and the Palace of Emirs. One of the modern attractions of Riyadh is the royal stables, and thoroughbred races attract not only residents of the city, but also its guests. Masmak Fort, built in 1865, is the most ancient and preserved its original appearance.

To date, the capital of Saudi Arabia covers an area of ​​​​about 1600 square kilometers and has more than 4.5 million people. Despite the fact that Riyadh is located in the center of the country and is the hottest city in the state, millions of tourists visit it every year. All of them are attracted by the wealth and luxury of the city, which has grown beyond a short time on "black gold", and its historical sights.

From Riyadh, a road was laid to the holy city of Muslims - Mecca. According to the laws and traditions of Saudi Arabia, whose inhabitants profess Islam, it is necessary to make an annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The inhabitants of the country strictly honor this law of the Koran.

There is also a second Saudi Arabia - diplomatic - the city of Jeddah. It is located on the shores of the Red Sea, built up with modern buildings. All consulates and embassies are located in the seaside part of the city.

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 discontent. international organizations monitoring 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. 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 White color, but over time 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 leisure 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 to catch fish, which can easily compete with modern species fishing, so such fishing tours are quite popular today.

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

Accommodation

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

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. The whole of May doesn't stay here too much heat, and the sea wind brings some moisture to fairly 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. The 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". So original name possesses 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 the addition of 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. international classification passed mainly those hotels that are part of large hotel chains. 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 state capital, 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 modern life 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 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 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 good demographic situation indicators of the real estate market of the Kingdom are 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.

Most recently, Saudi Arabia passed a law allowing the sale of real estate and land for construction 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 long dress covering the 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 the Second World War oil production has 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 government of Saudi Arabia in the near term is to allocate additional funds on the development of water infrastructure and education, since the lack of water 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. Despite the fact that the average annual rainfall is only 100 mm, agriculture in Saudi Arabia, using modern technologies and technology, is a dynamically developing industry.

Long-term hydrological studies, begun in 1965, made it possible to discover significant water resources suitable for agricultural use. Apart from deep wells throughout the country, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of Saudi Arabia uses 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 daily sea ​​water, thus satisfying 70% of the population's needs for drinking water.

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.

The official name is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Al Mamlaka al Arabiya as Saudiyya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Located in southwest Asia, it occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula. The area is 2240 thousand km2, the population is 23.51 million people. (2002). The official language is Arabic. The capital is the city of Riyadh (over 2.77 million people, with suburbs 4.76 million people). Public holiday - Day of the Proclamation of the Kingdom - September 23 (since 1932). The monetary unit is the Saudi rial (equal to 100 halals).

Member of OPEC (since 1960), UN (since 1971), GCC (since 1981), Arab League, etc.

Landmarks of Saudi Arabia

Geography of Saudi Arabia

It is located between 34° and 56° east longitude and 16° and 32° north latitude. In the east it is washed by the Persian Gulf, in the west and southwest - by the Red Sea. The Red Sea is located between the coasts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, stretched from northwest to southeast. In the northern part of the sea there is an artificial Suez Canal, connecting with the Mediterranean Sea, the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba (off the coast of Saudi Arabia), separated by the Sinai Peninsula. The sandy, in some places rocky shores of the Red Sea are weakly indented throughout and bordered by coral reefs with coral bays. There are few islands, but south of 17 ° north latitude they form numerous groups, one of the largest is the Farasan Islands belonging to Saudi Arabia.

Surface currents are seasonal. In the southern part of the sea, from November to March, the current is directed north-northwest along the coast of the Arabian Peninsula. To the north, this current weakens, meeting with the opposite one, which runs along the coast of Africa. From June to September, there are southern and southeastern currents in the Red Sea. The tides are mostly semi-diurnal. In the northern part of the sea, winds sometimes reach storm strength. The Persian Gulf has shallow depths (average - 42 m), the currents form a cycle counterclockwise. In the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Oman, the direction of the current changes seasonally: in summer from the ocean to the Persian Gulf, in winter - vice versa.

Saudi Arabia is bordered in the north by Jordan and Iraq, in the northwest by Kuwait, Bahrain (marine border), Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The southern borders with Oman and Yemen are not defined.

More than 1/2 of the territory of Saudi Arabia in the southeast is occupied by the Rub al-Khali desert, or the Great Sandy Desert, with an area of ​​approx. 650 thousand km2. In the north of the country is part of the Syrian Desert, and the Nefud Desert, covering an area of ​​approx. 57 thousand km2, extends further to the south. In the center of the country there is a plateau crossed by several small rivers that dry up during the dry season. In the south-west of the country there are small mountain ranges and its highest point - Mount Jabal Saud (3133 m). Narrow coastal plains lie along the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.

The bowels of Saudi Arabia are rich in the most important types of raw materials - oil, natural gas, iron, copper, gold and other non-ferrous metals, there are deposits of rock salt, uranium, etc. In terms of oil reserves, the country ranks first in the world - 25.2%, or 35.8 billion tons. Natural gas reserves 5400 billion m3. Minerals, except for oil and gas, are still poorly studied and are mined in extremely small quantities.

The soils in Saudi Arabia are mostly sandy and stony, gray soils are found in the northern part of Arabia, and red, red-brown soils are found in the south. The most fertile lands are located on the shores of the Red Sea.

The climate is hot, dry, mostly tropical, in the north - subtropical. Average temperatures in July are above +30°С, in January +10-20°C. Precipitation approx. 100 mm per year, in the mountains up to 400 mm. January temperature in Riyadh is +8-21°С, in Jeddah +26-37°С. The July temperature in Riyadh is +26-42°C, and in Jeddah - +26-37°C. However, in the mountains in winter there are sub-zero temperatures and snow.

There are no permanent natural reservoirs on the territory of the country, except for small pools in oases, sometimes temporary lakes form after rains. There are significant reserves of groundwater.

The flora of the inner regions is extremely poor, there are desert grasses, thorny shrubs, in fertile areas - thickets of tamarisk, acacia, in oases - date palms. The fauna is represented by antelopes, foxes, gazelles, hyenas, ostriches, panthers, wild cats, wolves, mountain goats, rabbits, and Indian badgers. Among the birds stand out bustard, dove, quail. From predatory - eagles, falcons. The sea is rich in fish.

population of saudi arabia

In a total population of approx. 23% are non-citizens of the kingdom (2002).

The average annual growth rate of the indigenous population is 3.27% (2002). In 1974 - 92 the population grew from 6.72 to 16.95 million people. The population in the 15-24 age group is growing especially fast.

Birth rate 37.25‰, mortality 5.86‰, infant mortality 49.59 people. per 1000 newborns, average duration life 68.4 years, incl. men 66.7, women 70.2 (2002).

Sex and age structure of the population (2002): 0-14 years - 42.4% (men 5.09 million people, women 4.88 million); 15-64 years old - 54.8% (7.49 million men, 5.40 million women); 65 years and older - 2.8% (men 362.8 thousand people, women 289.8 thousand). Urban population 85.7% (2000). 78% of the population aged 15 and over is literate (84.2% of men and 69.5% of women) (2002).

Ethnic composition: Arabs - 90%, Afro-Asians - 10%. Indigenous Saudis stand out, whose ancestors lived in the country for centuries - approx. 82%, Yemenis and other Arabs who arrived in the country after the 1950s during the oil boom - ca. 13%, nomadic Berbers, whose numbers are declining. Languages: Arabic, European languages ​​are also used.

The state religion is Islam. Almost all Muslims are Sunnis. Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam, founded by the Prophet Muhammad. The whole life of the country is subject to strict laws and rules that have a thousand-year history. Men and women are not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages. The breeding of pigs and the consumption of pork is prohibited. Mecca is the cradle of Islam and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, there is the main shrine of the Muslim world - the ancient sanctuary of the Kaaba. The second religious center is Medina, where the prophet is buried. Among the duties of a Muslim is fasting during Ramadan, the 9th month of the Muslim calendar (from late February to late March), when Muslims abstain from food and drink, avoid spectacles and other pleasures until sunset. One of the pillars of Islam is the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, which must be done at least once in a lifetime. Mecca attracts millions of pilgrims from all over the world.

History of Saudi Arabia

In the 1st millennium BC. On the coast of the Red Sea, the Minyan kingdom arose with its capital in Karna (modern Khoyda in Yemen). On the east coast was Dilmun, which was considered a political and cultural federation on the shores of the Persian Gulf. For almost 1,500 years, no important events took place on the territory of modern Saudi Arabia. In 570 AD Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca, and the teachings of Islam literally turned the whole history of Saudi Arabia upside down. Muhammad's followers, known as caliphs (caliphs), conquered almost the entire Middle East.

The Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula were aware of many technical and construction achievements. In agriculture already in the 5th-6th centuries. an iron plow was used, iron ore was mined and metal was smelted, already in the pre-Islamic era, the Arabs created their original script - the Sabaean script in South Arabia and later, in the 5th century. - Nabataean writing, on the basis of which modern Arabic writing developed.

With the advent of the caliphate, whose capital was first in Damascus and later in Baghdad, the role of the prophet's homeland became less and less significant.

In 1269, almost the entire territory of modern Saudi Arabia was under the rule of Egypt. In 1517, power passed to the rulers of the Ottoman Empire. All R. 18th century The state of Nejd was founded, which was independent of the Ottoman Empire. In 1824 Riyadh became the capital of the state. In 1865 the country broke out Civil War, and the weakened country was divided among neighboring states. In 1902, Abdelaziz ibn Saud captured Riyadh, and by 1906 his troops controlled almost all of Najd. He achieved the recognition of the state by the Turkish Sultan. Based on the Wahhabi doctrine, Ibn Saud continued the unification of the country under his rule, and by 1926 he was able to practically complete this process. The USSR was the first to establish normal diplomatic relations with the new state in February 1926. In 1927, Ibn Saud achieved recognition by Great Britain of the sovereignty of his state. In 1932 he gave the country the name Saudi Arabia. After that, the penetration of foreign, primarily American, capital into the country, connected with the exploration and development of oil, increased. After the death of ibn Saud in 1953, his son Saud ibn-Abdelaziz became king, who continued to strengthen the position of the country, taking into account the position of the Arab League on pan-Arab issues. In 1958, the need for a more modern policy led to the transfer of the powers of the prime minister to the king's brother Emir Faisal, who expanded the capitalist transformations in the economy. November 7, 1962 was passed a law abolishing slavery.

In August 1965, a 40-year dispute between Saudi Arabia and Jordan over the border was resolved. Since 1966, an agreement was signed with Kuwait on the division into equal parts of the neutral zone on the border of the two countries. Saudi Arabia has acknowledged Jordan's claim to the port city of Aqaba. In 1967 - 1st floor. 1970s Saudi Arabia took an active part in defending the interests of the Arab countries, began to provide large financial assistance to Egypt, Syria, Jordan. The increase in the role of the country was facilitated by the multiple expansion of oil production and export. In 1975, an agreement was signed with Iraq on the equal division of the neutral zone on the border between the countries.

In October 1973, Saudi Arabia imposed an oil embargo on the United States and the Netherlands. Since the 1970s the kingdom began to play an increasingly important role in OPEC. March 25, 1975 Faisal, who became king in November 1964, died in an assassination attempt. In 1975 - 82, Khaled was the king of SA, and Emir Fahd was the prime minister. With the active participation of Fahd, state building and economic modernization of the country began at an accelerated pace. Under the influence of the threat factor in the region from Iran and the Marxist regime in Yemen, Saudi Arabia initiated the strengthening of the armed forces of the monarchies of the Arabian Peninsula and encouraged the strengthening of the American military presence. The Kingdom took an active part in the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in 1991. In March 2001, Saudi Arabia signed a final agreement with Qatar to settle the border dispute between the two countries and a demarcation line was drawn.

State structure and political system of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is an absolute theocratic monarchy with a cabinet of ministers. Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state, the role of the Constitution of the country is performed by the Koran, which defines ethical values ​​and gives instructions. In 1992, the Basic Nizam on Power was adopted - an act regulating the system of government.

Administrative division of the country: 13 administrative regions (provinces, or emirates), within which 103 smaller territorial units have been allocated since 1994.

The largest cities: Riyadh, Jeddah (over 2 million people, with suburbs 3.2 million), Dammam (482 thousand people), Mecca (966 thousand people, with suburbs 1.33 million), Medina (608 thousand people) (2000 estimate).

Principles of public administration: the basis of the legislative system is Sharia - an Islamic code of laws based on the Koran and Sunnahs. The king and the council of ministers operate within the framework of Islamic law. Acts of state come into force by decrees of the king. In public administration, the principles of deliberation (shura), ensuring consensus, equality of all before the law, the source of which is Sharia norms, are applied.

The supreme body of legislative power is the king and the Advisory Council, appointed by the king for 4 years, consisting of 90 members from different strata of society. Council recommendations are submitted directly to the king.

The highest body of executive power is the Council of Ministers (appointed by the king). This body combines executive and legislative functions, develops proposals in the field of domestic and foreign policy.

The king is the head of state, the head of the highest body of legislative power, the head of the highest body of executive power.

The composition of the Advisory Council and the Council of Ministers is appointed by the King. The Advisory Board has a chairman and is half renewed in composition for a new term. The question of the possible introduction of an elected representative body is currently being worked out.

King Abdelaziz ibn Saud, who fought for the unification of the kingdom for 31 years and managed to achieve this by establishing an independent state, which he ruled until 1953, is considered, first of all, King Abdelaziz ibn Saud. He made a great contribution to the formation of statehood. King Fahd ibn Abdelaziz ibn Saud played an important role in the successful implementation of programs for the economic modernization of the country and the use of its potential. Even before accession to the throne, he was the first Minister of Education of the country, developed a plan for reforms in education, during his reign he ensured the constant development of a long-term program of economic reforms and the rise of the authority of Saudi Arabia in the international arena. On November 24, King Fahd assumed the title of "Keeper of the Two Holy Mosques" (the mosques of Mecca and Medina).

In the administrative units of the country, power is exercised by the emir of the province, whose appointment is approved by the king, taking into account the opinion of the inhabitants. Under the emir, there is a council with an advisory vote, including the heads of government agencies in the region and at least 10 citizens. The administrative divisions within the provinces are also headed by emirs, who are responsible to the provincial emir.

There are no political parties in Saudi Arabia. Among the leading organizations of the business community are the Saudi Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Riyadh (which unites the country's major entrepreneurs), several dozens of chambers of commerce in the country. The Supreme Economic Council has recently been established with the participation of representatives of the state and business circles.

The activities of trade unions are not provided for by law. Among the others public organizations great importance have structures engaged in the dissemination of Islamic values, primarily the League for the Promotion of Virtue and the Condemnation of Vice. There are more than 114 charitable organizations and more than 150 cooperatives operating in the country. The Saudi Red Crescent Organization has 139 branches throughout the country. Its activities are supported by the state. A system of cultural societies, literary and sports clubs, scout camps has been created. There are 30 sports federations. Clan, tribe, family are the traditional foundations of Saudi society. There are more than 100 tribes in the country, which in the recent past settled in cities in one quarter. They undergo certain changes under the influence of modern image life. A group of Muslim clerics and theologians is considered to be an influential social stratum. The strengthening of modern social strata continues: entrepreneurs, workers, intellectuals.

The domestic policy of Saudi Arabia is based on following the Islamic faith in all spheres of life, the government's concern for stability in the country and the well-being of its citizens, and the comprehensive development of the education system, social services, and healthcare.

Foreign policy includes the following principles: Islamic and Arab solidarity, the country's desire to act from a peaceful position in resolving all regional and international conflicts, active role Saudi Arabia in international affairs, good neighborly relations with all countries, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

Armed forces consist of the Army and the National Guard. The paramilitaries include the forces of the Ministry of the Interior. In 1997, the armed forces of Saudi Arabia numbered 105.5 thousand people, incl. 70 thousand in the Ground Forces, 13.5 thousand in the Navy, 18 thousand in the Air Force and 4 thousand in the Air Defense Forces. The total strength of the National Guard was approx. 77 thousand people (1999). In service with the Air Force (in 2003) there are 294 combat aircraft, not counting transport aircraft, etc. The ground forces are equipped with French and American tanks (1055 units), armored personnel carriers, and Hawk missiles. The air defense troops are equipped with the Patriot and Krotal systems and interceptor fighters. The fleet has several dozen large ships and boats for various purposes, 400 boats are at the disposal of the Coast Guard.

Saudi Arabia has diplomatic relations with Russian Federation(established with the USSR in February 1926. In April 1938, diplomatic relations were frozen. Restored at the level of ambassadors in September 1990).

Economy of Saudi Arabia

The economic development of modern Saudi Arabia is characterized by a high share of the oil industry, with a gradual expansion of production in related industries and a number of manufacturing industries.

Saudi Arabia's GDP, calculated at purchasing power parity, was $241 billion. GDP per capita $10,600 (2001). Real GDP growth 1.6% (2001). Share of Saudi Arabia in the world economy (share of GDP) at current prices approx. 0.4% (1998). The country produces almost 28% of the total GDP of the Arab countries. In 1997, Saudi Arabia provided 13.9% of world oil production and 2% of gas. Inflation 1.7% (2001).

Number of employed 7.18 million people (1999). Most of those employed in the economy, approx. 56% is represented by immigrants.

Sectoral structure of the economy in terms of contribution to GDP (2000): agriculture 7%, industry 48%, services 45%. The extractive industry in 2000 accounted for 37.1%, the manufacturing industry - approx. 10%, Structure of GDP by employment: services 63%, industry 25%, agriculture 12% (1999). According to 1999 data, the largest number of employed people is 2.217 million people. - was in the field of finance and real estate, 1.037 million people. - in trade, restaurant and hotel business, 1.020 million people. - in construction. The rest were employed in other sectors of the service sector and in industry, incl. OK. 600 thousand people - in processing.

Many of the well-known large Saudi companies have grown out of traditional family business groups. The industrialization of Saudi Arabia was carried out with the leading role of the state, so the economy is still dominated by companies and corporations with a high share of state capital, private capital is present in them on shares with state capital. There are companies with foreign capital participation. Saudi National Bank Al-Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation grew in the 1970s and 80s. from the oldest money-changing office of the Al-Rajhi family, which owns 44% of the bank's shares. National Industrialization Co. and National Agricultural Development Co. are the first large companies in the country, respectively, industrial and agricultural development, created with a predominance of private capital. Saudi ARAMCO State Oil Company and PETROMIN State Holding Company for Oil and Mineral Resources, with its system of subsidiaries in various fields of the oil industry from oil production to the production of oils, gasoline, etc., includes 14 large companies and is the basis of the entire structure of the industry. Some of these companies have foreign equity participation (McDermott, Mobile Oil Investment). A similar structure exists in petrochemistry and heavy industry, the central place being occupied by the holding company SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corp.), established in 1976, 70% of whose capital is owned by the state. The role of private capital in this sector of the economy is higher. Among the large companies are "Kemya", "Sharq", "Ibn Sina", "Hadid", "Sadaf", "Yanpet". In other sectors of the economy, Arabian Cement Co. (cement production), Saudi Metal Industries (steel fittings), Az-Zamil Group (real estate, marketing), etc. There are various banks and insurance companies in the country.

The main industry is oil and gas, which provides the production of the most significant share of Saudi Arabia's GDP. It is controlled by the state through state authorized organizations and companies. To con. 1980s The government completed the buyout of all foreign shares in the oil company Saudi Aramco. In the 1960s and 70s. in the country there was a rapid increase in oil production: from 62 million tons in 1969 to 412 million in 1974. This coincided with the outbreak of the world energy crisis in 1973 after the Arab-Israeli war. In 1977, Saudi oil exports generated $36.5 billion in revenue. In the 1980s oil prices have declined, but the oil and gas industry continues to generate significant revenues (ca. 40 billion US dollars per year), amounting to ca. 90% of the country's income from exports. Oil development is carried out in state-owned fields. It is extracted from 30 major deposits and exported through a system of pipelines, oil storage facilities and ports on the coast of the country. In 2000, 441.4 million tons of oil and 49.8 million m3 of gas were produced. Saudi Arabia plays an important role in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). In 2001, the country's quota in OPEC production was more than 7.54 million barrels. oil per day.

In the field of gas utilization, the largest project was the construction in 1975-80 of a unified system for collecting and processing associated gas, through which gas is exported and supplied to petrochemical enterprises. Production volume - 17.2 million tons of liquefied gas (1998). In the field of oil refining, there are 5 largest oil refineries in Yanbu, Rabah, Jeddah, Riyadh and Ras Tannur. The latter processes more than 300 thousand tons. Most of the production is fuel oil and diesel fuel. The production of automobile and aviation gasoline, fuel for jet engines has been launched.

Large SABIC-controlled facilities located in the industrial centers of Jubail, Yanbu and Jeddah carry out petrochemical and metallurgical production. In 1990-96, the volume of production increased from 13 to 22.8 million tons. 12.3 million tons of petrochemical products, 4.2 million tons of fertilizers, 2.8 million tons of metals, 2.3 million tons of plastics were sold on the market. By 1997, the volume of SABIC production reached 23.7 million tons, and by 2000 it was planned to increase production capacity to 30 million tons. Among the petrochemical products are ethylene, urea, methanol, ammonia, polyethylene, ethylene glycol, etc.

The mining industry is underdeveloped. In the beginning. 1997 State-owned mining company established. Gold deposits are currently being developed northeast of Jeddah. In 1998, approx. 5 tons of gold, 13.84 tons of silver. Salt and gypsum are being developed.

From the beginning 1970s In Saudi Arabia, the building materials industry developed rapidly due to the construction boom. The basis of the industry is the production of cement, which increased from 9648 thousand tons in 1979 to 15 776 thousand in 1998. Glass production is developed.

The metallurgical industry is represented by the production of reinforcing steel, steel rod, and some types of shaped steel. Several enterprises have been built.

In 1977, the plant of the Saudi-German truck assembly company began to produce products. There is a small shipyard in Dammam that manufactures oil barges.

Important industries are seawater desalination and energy. The first desalination plant was built in Jeddah in 1970. Now water is supplied from the coast to the central cities. In 1970-95, the capacity of desalination plants increased from 5 to 512 million US gallons of water per year. Approx. 6000 cities and towns across the country. In 1998, electricity generation was 19,753 MW; in 1999, production capacity reached 23,438 MW. In the next two decades, an annual increase in electricity demand of 4.5% is expected. It will be necessary to increase its production to approx. 59,000 MW.

The light, food and pharmaceutical industries are developing rapidly. Light industry is mainly represented by handicraft-type enterprises. The country has more than 2.5 thousand enterprises for the production of food products, tobacco products, 3500 carpet, textile, clothing and footwear, more than 2474 woodworking, 170 printing houses. The government encourages the development of manufacturing enterprises with private capital. As a result of the issuance of licenses in the 1990s. the creation of petrochemical goods and plastics production, metalworking and mechanical workshops, the production of paper products and printing products, food, ceramics, glass and building materials, textiles, clothing and leather products, and woodworking were the top priorities.

The share of agriculture in the country's GDP in 1970 was only 1.3%. During 1970-93, the production of basic foodstuffs increased from 1.79 million to 7 million tons. Saudi Arabia is completely devoid of permanent watercourses. The lands suitable for cultivation occupy less than 2% of the territory. Despite this, agriculture in Saudi Arabia, subsidized by the government and using modern technology and machinery, has become a dynamic industry. Long-term hydrological surveys, begun in 1965, have identified significant water resources suitable for agricultural use. In addition to deep wells throughout the country, Saudi Arabia's agriculture and water industry uses more than 200 reservoirs with a total volume of 450 million m3. Only the agricultural project in Al-Khas, completed in 1977, made it possible to irrigate 12,000 hectares and provide employment for 50,000 people. Other major irrigation projects include the Wadi Jizan project on the Red Sea coast (8,000 ha) and the Abha project in the Asira Mountains to the southwest. In 1998, the government announced a new $294 million agricultural development project. 1990s increased to 3 million hectares, the country began to export food products, food imports decreased from 83 to 65%. According to the export of wheat SA in the 2nd half. 1990s ranked 6th in the world. More than 2 million tons of wheat, more than 2 million tons of vegetables are produced, approx. 580 thousand tons of fruits (1999). Barley, corn, millet, coffee, alfalfa and rice are also grown.

Animal husbandry is developing, represented by the breeding of camels, sheep, goats, donkeys and horses. An important industry is fishing and fish processing. In 1999, approx. 52 thousand tons of fish. Fish and shrimps are exported.

The length of railways is 1392 km, 724 km have two tracks (2001). In 2000, 853.8 thousand passengers and 1.8 million tons of cargo were transported by rail. Road transport has more than 5.1 million vehicles, of which 2.286 million are trucks. Length of roads - 146,524 km, incl. 44,104 km of paved roads. In the 1990s completed the construction of the Trans-Arabian Highway. Pipeline transport includes 6,400 km of pipelines for pumping oil, 150 km for pumping oil products and 2,200 km of gas pipelines, incl. for liquefied gas. Maritime transport has 274 vessels with a total gross tonnage of 1.41 million tons, of which 71 large vessels have a capacity of over 1000 tons. 1000 t, including 30 tankers (including for the transport of chemicals), cargo ships and refrigerators, there are also 9 passenger ships (2002). 90% of goods are delivered to the country by sea. The fleet transported 88.46 million tons of cargo in 1999. The largest ports are Jeddah, Yanbu, Jizan on the Red Sea coast, a number of other ports are expanding. Dammam is the 2nd largest trading port and the country's largest port in the Persian Gulf. Another major port in the Gulf is Jubail. The largest oil port is Ras Tanura, through which up to 90% of oil is exported. There are 25 commercial airports in the kingdom. The largest international airports are King Abdelaziz in Jeddah (the halls can simultaneously accommodate 80 thousand pilgrims, cargo turnover is about 150 thousand tons per year), the airport. King Fahd in Dammam (12 million passengers per year), airports in Riyadh (15 million passengers per year) and Dhahran. Others are airports in Haile, Bisha and Badan. Saudi Arabia is the largest airline in the Middle East. In 1998, 11.8 million passengers were carried.

In Saudi Arabia, the communications system has 3.23 million fixed telephone lines and more than 2.52 million mobile phone users, approx. 570 thousand Internet users (2001). 117 TV channels are broadcast. The country is actively involved in the creation of a pan-Arab satellite communications. There are several national TV and radio channels and approx. 200 newspapers and other periodicals, incl. 13 daily.

Trade is a traditional area of ​​economic activity in Saudi Arabia. Imports are mainly industrial and consumer goods. To encourage national industry, a 20% duty is imposed on goods that compete with locally produced goods. The import of alcohol, drugs, weapons, and religious literature into the country is strictly regulated. Other sectors of the service sector are related to real estate, financial transactions, in which the activities of foreigners are limited.

Until recently, the development of tourism was mainly associated with the service of pilgrims coming to Mecca. Their annual number is approx. 1 million people In con. 1990s the decision was made to make foreign tourism the most important branch of the service sector. In 2000, approx. $14.4 billion. There were 200 hotels in the country.

Modern economic policy is characterized by the participation of the state in the main sectors of the economy and the limitation of the presence of foreign capital. However, with con. 1990s a course is being pursued to simultaneously expand the activity of national private capital, privatization, and stimulate foreign investment. The extraction of oil and gas remains in the hands of the state. Social policy includes the provision of social guarantees for the population, support and subsidies for youth and families. At the current stage, this is combined with the stimulation of training and retraining of national personnel for work in industry and the private sector of the economy.

The country's monetary system is characterized by the provision of the national currency with the help of foreign exchange earnings from oil exports, and a liberal currency regime. The Monetary Agency controls the circulation of money and the banking system. The independent activity of foreign bank capital is not allowed until now. In a number of joint banks with foreign capital, the controlling stake is national. There are 11 commercial banks and special development banks, as well as funds for financial assistance Arab countries. Banks operate according to the Islamic system, do not charge or pay a fixed percentage.

The state budget of the country is formed by 75% at the expense of oil export revenues. Taxes to con. 1990s were absent, except for the religious one. In 1995, indirect taxes were estimated at 1,300 million Saudi. rials (less than 0.3% of GDP). There is currently a tax on corporate income and an income tax on individuals. The introduction of a value added tax, etc. is being considered. The largest budget expenditure items are: defense and security - 36.7%, human resource development - 24.6%, public administration - 17.4%, health care - approx. 9% (2001). Budget revenues 42 billion US dollars, expenditures - 54 billion (2002). There is significant domestic debt. External debt is estimated at $23.8 billion (2001). Gross investment - 16.3% of GDP (2000).

The standard of living of the population of the country is relatively high. Average wage in industry $7,863.43 per year (2000).

The country's trade balance is active. The value of exports is 66.9 billion US dollars, imports are 29.7 billion US dollars. The main export item is oil and oil products (90%). Main export partners: USA (17.4%), Japan (17.3%), South Korea (11.7%), Singapore (5.3%), India. Machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, automobiles, textiles are imported. Main import partners: USA (21.1%), Japan (9.45%), Germany (7.4%), UK (7.3%) (2000).

Science and culture of Saudi Arabia

Great attention is paid to education. In con. 1990s education expenses - St. 18% of the budget, the number of schools at all levels exceeded 21,000. In 1999/2000, the number of students in all forms of education was approx. 4.4 million people, and teachers - more than 350 thousand. Education for girls is managed by a special supervisory board, they were approx. 46% of students in ser. 1990s Education is free and open to all citizens, although not compulsory. The university system includes the Islamic University of Medina, the University of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. King Fahd in Dhahran, University. King Abdelaziz in Jeddah, University. King Faisal (having branches in Dammam and El Hofuf), University. Imam Mohammed ibn Saud in Riyadh, Umm el-Kura University in Mecca and the University. King Saud in Riyadh. There are also 83 institutes. A special department is in charge of schools for sick children. In the scientific and technical town. King Abdelaziz conducted research in the field of geodesy, energy, ecology.

Saudi Arabia is a country with ancient cultural traditions. Many architectural monuments embody Arabic and Islamic fine arts. These are old castles, forts and other monuments in all parts of the country. Among the 12 main museums are the National Museum of Archeology and Folk Heritage, the Al-Masmak Fort Museum in Riyadh. The Saudi Society for Culture and the Arts, with chapters in many cities, organizes art exhibitions and festivals. The art center near Abha hosts exhibitions of local and regional artisans, a library and a theatre. The system of literary clubs and libraries is widely developed. Saudi literature is represented by a wide range of ancient and modern works, poetry (odes, satire and lyrics, religious and social themes) and prose (short story), journalism. Interesting creative festivals. The National Cultural Heritage Festival in Jenadriya, north of Riyadh, brings together local and foreign scholars in the humanities, it involves representatives from all regions of the country, it covers fine arts, folk dances, painting, literature, poetry. The famous camel races are held.

The cultural life is influenced by the Islamic religion. The state has established 210 Islamic cultural centers around the world to explain Islamic culture. Local customs include restraint of behavior, one should not talk to women, except for service personnel. Muslims pray 5 times a day, take off their shoes at the entrance to the mosque. Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Saudi Arabia or Kingdom of Saudi Arabia- the largest state on the Arabian Peninsula. It borders with Jordan in the north, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in the east, Oman and Yemen in the south. It is washed by the Persian Gulf in the northeast and the Red Sea - in the west. Area - 2,149,690 km².

In the west of the country, along the coast of the Red Sea, the Al-Hijaz mountain range stretches. In the southwest, the height of the mountains reaches 3000 meters. The east is occupied mainly by deserts. The south and southeast of Saudi Arabia is almost completely occupied by the Rub al-Khali desert, through which the border with Yemen and Oman passes.

Most of the territory of Saudi Arabia is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts, which are inhabited by nomadic Bedouin tribes. The population is concentrated around a few large cities, usually in the west or east near the coast.

Seashores are predominantly low, sandy, and slightly indented.

A significant part of the sandy and rocky deserts are almost completely devoid of vegetation. In the mountains of Asir - areas of savannas, where acacias, wild olives, almonds grow. In the oases there are groves of date palms, citrus fruits, bananas, cereals and horticultural crops.

The fauna is quite diverse: antelope, gazelle, hyrax, wolf, jackal, hyena, fennec fox, caracal, wild donkey, onager, hare. There are many rodents (gerbils, ground squirrels, jerboas) and reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles). Among the birds - eagles, kites, vultures, peregrine falcons, bustards, larks, sandgrouse, quail, pigeons.

Climate

Climate in Saudi Arabia extremely dry. The Arabian Peninsula is one of the few places on Earth where temperatures consistently exceed 50°C in summer.

The average temperature in January ranges from +8 °C to +20 °C in cities in the desert and from +20 °C to +30 °C on the Red Sea coast. In summer, the temperature in the shade ranges from +35 °C to +43 °C. At night in the desert, you can sometimes encounter temperatures close to 0 ° C, as the sand quickly gives off the heat accumulated during the day.

The average annual rainfall is 100 mm. In the center and east of Saudi Arabia, it rains exclusively in late winter and spring, while in the west it rains only in winter.

Population

population of saudi arabia- 28,686,633 people (2009).

Ethnic Arabs - 90% of the country, there are also subjects of Asian and East African origin. In addition, more than 7 million migrants from various countries, including: India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Pakistan, Egypt.

The state religion is Islam.

The religious police (muttawa) operate in the country. Soldiers of the Sharia Guard constantly patrol the streets and public institutions in order to suppress attempts to violate the canons of Islam. If a violation is found, the perpetrator bears the appropriate punishment - from a fine to beheading.

The official language is Arabic.

Currency

Saudi riyal is the official currency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. One rial is equal to 20 kersh (kurush) and 100 halal.

In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Saudi riyals, as well as coins of 1 riyal (100 halal), 50, 25, 10, and 5 halal.

Banks for the most part do not have a clearly defined work schedule, but most of them are open from Saturday to Wednesday from 08.00 to 12.00-12.30 and from 17.00 to 19.00-20.00, on Thursdays from 08.00-09.00 to 12.00-12.30. Change machines, located everywhere, usually work for an hour or two longer.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at commercial banks, change machines, shops and numerous private money changers. Cross rates are published daily in most local newspapers and are fairly stable, however private money changers tend to offer slightly better rates than banks.

Credit card services are becoming more and more common, they are now accepted for payment in all major shopping centers, hotels and transport. ATMs can be found near banks and large shopping centers. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely used, Cirrus and Plus cards are accepted for payment at Saudi Cairo Bank branches and ATMs.

Cashing traveler's checks is much more difficult - most banks and private money changers either do not cash them at all, or only service checks from local bank account holders. In this case, you will definitely need the original receipt for the purchase of the check and an identity card.

Communication and communications

Telephone code: 966

Internet domain: .sa

Police - 999, ambulance - 997, fire department - 998

Phone codes of cities

Riyadh - 1, Jeddah - 2, Medina - 4

How to call

To call from Russia to Saudi Arabia, you need to dial: 8 - dial tone - 10 - 966 - area code - subscriber number.

To call from Saudi Arabia to Russia, you need to dial: 00 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.

Fixed line

Payphones (from which you can call abroad) are located everywhere, they work both from coins and prepaid plastic cards (sold in postal kiosks, shops and gas stations).

mobile connection

Cellular communication of the GSM 900 standard covers the area around the capital and the environs of large oases, some inland desert areas are practically not served.

Local operators - STC (stc.com.sa) , Mobily (mobily.com.sa) , Zain Saudi Arabia (sa.zain.com) .

Internet

The Internet in Saudi Arabia is subject to censorship, which is aimed primarily at pornography, non-Islamic religious and domestic political sites in Arabic, etc.

shopping

Shops often do not have a well-defined opening hours, but are usually open from Saturday to Thursday from 09.00 to 13.00 and from 16.30 to 20.00 (during Ramadan - from 20.00 to 01.00). The day off in all institutions is Friday, when the inhabitants of the country attend traditional sermons and prayers in mosques.

Prices almost everywhere, except for large supermarkets, are negotiable, you can bargain almost everywhere. In the markets in this way, you can bring down the price by 30-50%.

Where to stay

There are many accommodation options in Saudi Arabia: from inexpensive apartments and small family hotels to chic 5* luxury hotels.

Larger and more expensive hotels are plentiful in all major cities. When you stay in a good hotel, you usually get great service and the ability to bypass some restrictions (like restaurants that stay open during prayer hours, or daytime room service during Ramadan).

Sea and beaches

Saudi Arabia has beautiful sandy beaches, but beach holidays are not popular with foreign tourists here, as it is difficult to enjoy the sea and the sun if you are forced to be dressed (the country has strict Arab Sharia). The local population plunges into the water right in their robes. Foreigners (both men and women) - at least in shorts and a T-shirt.

Story

The territory of present-day Saudi Arabia is the historical homeland of the Arab tribes, who originally lived in the northeast, and in the II millennium BC. e. occupied the entire Arabian Peninsula. At the same time, the Arabs assimilated the population of the southern part of the peninsula - the Negroids.

From the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. e. in the south of the peninsula, the Minean and Sabaean kingdoms existed, and the most ancient cities of the Hijaz - Mecca and Medina - arose as their transit trade centers. In the middle of the 6th century, Mecca united the surrounding tribes and repelled the Ethiopian invasion.

At the beginning of the 7th century, a new religion was created in Mecca - Islam, which strengthened the feudal system and the state of the Arabs - the caliphate with its capital in Medina (since 662).

After the resettlement of the Prophet Muhammad in Yathrib, later called Madinat al-Nabi (City of the Prophet) in 622, an agreement was signed between the Muslims, led by the Prophet Muhammad, and the local Arab and Jewish tribes. Muhammad failed to convert local Jews to Islam, and after some time relations between Arabs and Jews took on an openly hostile character.

In 632, with the capital in Mecca, the Arab Caliphate was founded, covering almost the entire territory of the Arabian Peninsula. By the time of the beginning of the reign of the second caliph Umar ibn Khattab (634), all Jews were expelled from the Hijaz. By the same time, there is a rule according to which non-Muslims do not have the right to live in Hijaz, and today in Medina and Mecca. As a result of the conquests, by the 9th century the Arab state spread over the territory of the entire Middle East, Persia, Central Asia, Transcaucasia, North Africa, and also Southern Europe.

In the 16th century, Turkish rule began to be established in Arabia. By 1574, the Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Selim II, had finally conquered the Arabian Peninsula. Taking advantage of the weak political will of Sultan Mahmud I (1730-1754), the Arabs began to make their first attempts to build their own statehood. The most influential Arab families in the Hejaz at that time were Sauds and Rashidis.

The origin of the Saudi state began in 1744 in the central region of the Arabian Peninsula. The ruler of the city of Ad-Diriya, Muhammad ibn Saud, and the Islamic preacher Muhammad Abdul-Wahhab united to create a single powerful state. This alliance, concluded in the 18th century, marked the beginning of the ruling Saudi dynasty to this day. After some time, the young state with its capital in Ad-Diriya came under pressure from the Ottoman Empire, concerned about the strengthening of the Arabs at its southern borders and their conquest of Mecca and Medina. In 1817, the Ottoman Sultan sent troops under the command of Muhammad Ali Pasha to the Arabian Peninsula, who defeated the relatively weak army of Imam Abdullah. Thus, the First Saudi State lasted 73 years.

Despite the fact that the Turks managed to destroy the beginnings of Arab statehood, just 7 years later (in 1824) the Second Saudi State was founded with its capital in Riyadh. This state existed for 67 years and was destroyed by the old enemies of the Saudis - the Rashidi dynasty, originally from Hail. The Saudi family was forced to flee to Kuwait.

In 1902, 22-year-old Abdel Aziz from the Saud family captured Riyadh, cracking down on the governor from the Rashidi family. In 1904, the Rashidis turned to the Ottoman Empire for help. They brought in their troops, but this time they were defeated and withdrew. In 1912, Abdel Aziz captured the entire Najd region. In 1920, using the material support of the British, Abdel Aziz finally defeated Rashidi. Mecca was occupied in 1925. On January 10, 1926, Abdulaziz al-Saud was proclaimed king of the Hejaz. A few years later, Abdel Aziz captured almost the entire Arabian Peninsula. On September 23, 1932, Nejd and Hijaz were merged into one state, called Saudi Arabia. Abdulaziz himself became the king of Saudi Arabia.

In March 1938, colossal oil fields were discovered in Saudi Arabia. Due to the outbreak of World War II, their development began only in 1946, and by 1949 the country already had a well-established oil industry. Oil has become a source of wealth and prosperity for the state.

The first king of Saudi Arabia pursued a rather isolationist policy. Under him, the country never became a member of the League of Nations. Before his death in 1953, he left the country only 3 times. However, in 1945 Saudi Arabia was a founding member of the UN and the Arab League.

Abdel Aziz was succeeded by his son Saud. His ill-conceived domestic policy led to a coup d'état in the country, Saud fled to Europe, power passed into the hands of his brother Faisal.

Faisal made a huge contribution to the development of the country. Under him, the volume of oil production increased many times, which made it possible to carry out a number of social reforms in the country and create a modern infrastructure. In 1973, by removing Saudi oil from all trading floors, Faisal provoked an energy crisis in the West. His radicalism did not find understanding among everyone, and 2 years later Faisal was shot dead by his own nephew. After his death, under King Khalid foreign policy Saudi Arabia has become more moderate.

After Khalid, his brother Fahd inherited the throne, and in 2005 - Abdullah.

Prohibitions

Criminal law is based on Sharia. Oral or written discussion of the existing political system is prohibited by law.

In Saudi Arabia, absolutely all women (including tourists) are forbidden to drive a car. As a result, if a woman needs to travel by car for her business, she has to rely on her husband or male relatives, or hire a driver.

An unmarried girl is also prohibited from appearing in public with a man, getting an education, traveling or checking into a hotel without an accompanying male security guard.

In Saudi Arabia, the sale of cats and dogs is prohibited. In the capital, Riyadh, in addition, men are forbidden to walk these animals, but the ban does not apply to women. According to the Guards, the restrictions were introduced to protect public morality: men often began to use their pets for fleeting acquaintances with women, which undermines religious norms.

Under the influence of Wahhabism - an extremely conservative Islamic doctrine - birthday celebrations, all Christian and most Muslim religious holidays are banned in the country. According to religious leaders, such holidays with feasts, parties and fun are a phenomenon inherent in the depraved Western civilization and alien to the pious Islamic society.

In Saudi Arabia, toy bears, dolls with a female figure, items with symbols of other religions (for example, Buddha figurines, crucifixes, etc.) are prohibited. If the reasons for the ban on the sale of third-party religious symbols are even more or less logical, then the ban on toys dates back to 1982, when an attempt was made to ban all toys depicting living beings. The creation of such toys, according to religious leaders, is a reprehensible attempt to imitate Allah, who created people and animals.

Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that completely suppresses any manifestation of women's sports. The country has been participating in the Summer Olympic Games since 1972. Since then, about two hundred male athletes have competed for it, but not a single woman.

St. Day Valentine is banned in Saudi Arabia as corrupting the religious consciousness of young people and alien to the culture of the Islamic state. Suppressing all attempts by Western culture to penetrate the lives of their citizens, the religious police come to the point that since the beginning of February, its employees begin to go around the shops and recommend sellers to remove red roses, hearts, toys, bright wrapping paper, postcards, etc. from sale. On the eve of the holiday, raids are tightened and all identified symbols are confiscated.

Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and is punishable by flogging, imprisonment, or the death penalty.

Saudi Arabia is the only country in the Middle East where it is still forbidden to build churches and openly preach Christianity.

The owner of the Bible in Saudi Arabia may face not only deportation or arrest, but also the death penalty. In September 1993, 23-year-old Sadeq Mallallah was accused of apostasy and beheaded for possessing a Bible. The US State Department has repeatedly noted in its Human Rights Report that many Christian preachers are detained and expelled from Saudi Arabia every year for their religious beliefs and their promotion. At the same time, Saudi Arabia finances the publication and distribution of the Koran and other Muslim religious literature in hundreds of thousands of copies around the world. In a number of publications, Christians and Jews are openly referred to as pigs, monkeys, etc.

Censorship in Saudi Arabia is commonplace. It concerns not only television programs, which are supposed to be as chaste as possible, but even Hollywood films, which are either banned or deprived of entire scenes. The same goes for print publications: not only entertainment magazines are censored before appearing on the shelves, but also business publications like Forbes Magazine. Of course, any materials even remotely resembling erotica or pornography are uncompromisingly cut out.

Islam is the only world religion that not only prohibits, but also directly permits polygamy: Allah allows a faithful Muslim to have up to four wives.

The legislation of the country does not establish an age limit for marriage. Despite the fact that formally the consent of the woman is necessary, everything is decided, as a rule, without her participation. For example, a father may well marry his daughter at the age of 1 year. Accordingly, sexual relations are postponed until the girl reaches puberty. In particular, according to Islam, the beloved wife of the Prophet, Aisha, was betrothed at the age of 6 or 7, but the marriage relationship was delayed until she was nine years old. Her husband was in his sixties. Although the age difference is usually significant (wealthy older Arabs often actually buy young wives for themselves), there are also marriages where both spouses are minors.

The legislation does nothing to protect women from domestic violence or gender discrimination. Such facts are also not grounds for divorce. The woman's statements about the beating by her husband are not considered evidence of his guilt. A woman who alleges rape or sexual harassment will most likely not only not receive the support of the authorities, but will herself be accused of provoking the incident, inappropriate behavior, or secret sexual relations. The burden of proving the guilt of the rapist, as a rule, falls on the shoulders of the victim herself, who is obliged to provide all the necessary evidence. The fact of rape must be confirmed either by the personal confession of the rapist, or by the testimony of four witnesses.

The official and only religion of Saudi Arabia is Islam. Every day, five times a day, the muezzin calls devout Muslims to prayer (prayer). The authorities of the country allow people of other religions to enter the country, but worship is forbidden to them. For non-Muslim foreigners entering Saudi Arabia, there is a ban on visiting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. To determine religious affiliation, a Saudi visa contains a foreigner's religion box, which allows the religious police to deploy non-Muslim foreign nationals at the entrances to holy cities.

The days off in the country are Thursday and Friday.

In clothing, the inhabitants of Saudi Arabia adhere to the national traditions and canons of Islam, avoiding excessive frankness. Men wear long shirts made of wool or cotton (dishdasha). The traditional headdress is the gutra. In cold weather, a bisht is put on top of the dishdashi - a cape made of camel hair, most often in dark colors. Women's traditional clothes are richly decorated with tribal signs, coins, beads, threads. When leaving the house, a Saudi woman is required to cover her body with an abaya (a long traditional Arabic women's dress with sleeves), and her head with a hijab. Foreign women are also required to wear an abaya (and under it, trousers or a long dress).

Public theaters and cinemas are banned as they are against the principles of Islam. However, in communities where predominantly western workers live (eg Dhahran), there are such establishments. Home video is very popular.

For theft, smuggling, drug and alcohol use, homosexuality, premeditated murder and other serious crimes, the punishments are quite harsh - from chopping off limbs to decapitation (Saudi Arabia is the only state in the world where public execution by decapitation is still used, and the broadcast of this " procedures" is shown on all national TV channels). Pretty strict penalties for more "minor" violations of the canons of Islam.

Executions in Saudi Arabia occur, on average, more than twice a week. So on Fridays on Justice Square in the center of Riyadh, opposite the main mosque of the city, a lot of people gather. On the pedestal, those condemned to death are beheaded.

The country has a religious police - "mutawa", whose representatives and agents in civilian clothes constantly patrol the streets and public institutions. However, for minor violations, only preventive conversations and fairly light (according to local standards) measures of censure are usually applied to foreigners, but one should not neglect the religious feelings of local residents.

The Saudi government has lifted the ban on photographing in public places, but permission is still required to take pictures of private property, government and military installations, infrastructure or individuals.

Tap water in major cities is considered safe, but bottled water is still recommended.

How to get there

There is no direct flight between Russia and Saudi Arabia. The most convenient way to get from Russia to Saudi Arabia is via the UAE or Qatar.

Through the UAE - with Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) or Emirates (Dubai).

Through Qatar - with Qatar Airways (Doha).

You can also fly via Turkey (Turkish Airlines), Jordan (Royal Jordanian), Germany (Lufthansa), France (Air France) and many other countries.