| Area Total | 2,149,690 sq km |
| Climate | harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes |
| Natural Resources | petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper |
| Imports | China 15.4%, US 13.6%, UAE 6.5%, Germany 5.8%, Japan 4.1%, India 4.1%, South Korea 4% (2017) – machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles |
| Government | absolute monarchy |
| Capital | Riyadh |
| Population | 33,091,113 (July 2018 est.) |
| Ethnicity | Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% |
| Language | Arabic (official) |
| Exports | Japan 12.2%, China 11.7%, South Korea 9%, India 8.9%, US 8.3%, UAE 6.7%, Singapore 4.2% (2017) – Exports – commodities field listing petroleum and petroleum products 90% (2012 est.) |
News about Saudi Arabia
- Comedy in Riyadh is a sign of progress | Letter
by Guardian Staff on October 16, 2025Omid Djalili responds to criticism of his decision to perform at a comedy festival in Saudi ArabiaWhat the critics of the Riyadh comedy festival may have missed (Letters, 13 October) is the fact that performing comedy or any live event in Saudi Arabia was illegal until recently. Performers and organisers would run the very real risk of imprisonment by the […]
- Ministry of Commerce will oversee sales outlets and trade in precious metals and gemstones
on October 16, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced the implementation of the Cabinet decision with regard to approving amendments to several
- REGA initiates legal action against violators of real estate regulations
on October 16, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) has initiated legal action against a number of landlords for violating real estate regulations in Riyadh.This was after detecting
- Total number of train passengers soars 41% crossing 42 million in 2024
on October 16, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — There has been 40.9 percent increase in the number of train passengers reaching approximately 42.7 million during the year 2024 compared to 2023, according to the General
- Maximum fine of SR25,000 for unlicensed subdivision of buildings
on October 16, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Fines ranging between SR5000 and SR25,000 will be slapped on landlords for subdividing a building into units in violation of the building permit. The violators are obligated
- Commerce Ministry recalls 1,316 Suzuki motorcycles over defective brake
on October 16, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce has announced the recall of 1,316 Suzuki GSX250 and GSX250F motorcycles, model years 2022–2025, due to a defect in the rear brake system that may
- Health ministry says Statin drugs safe; warns against misinformation
on October 16, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The Ministry of Health stated that cholesterol-lowering drugs, including Statin, are approved both internationally and locally by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
- Alfadley: Saudi Arabia is in forefront of initiatives to resolve global water crisis
on October 15, 2025Saudi Gazette reportROME — Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley affirmed that Saudi Arabia is moving ahead with major global initiatives, particularly the Global Water
- Al-Jadaan highlights progress in Saudi Vision implementation at U.S. Chamber of Commerce Roundtable Meeting
on October 15, 2025Saudi Gazette reportWASHINGTON — Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan attended the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Roundtable Meeting on Wednesday, held on the sidelines of the World Bank Group (WBG)
- Prince Khaled Al-Faisal: King Salman Gate project’s launch reflects Saudi leadership’s keenness on Makkah’s development
on October 15, 2025Saudi Gazette reportMAKKAH — Advisor to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Emir of Makkah Region Prince Khaled Al-Faisal affirmed that the announcement by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed
- Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman: Energy will remain politicized
on October 15, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz emphasized that energy was and will continue to be politicized in one way or another as a tool to help some people prosper
- Saudi annual inflation rate slightly falls to 2.2% in September
on October 15, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate reached 2.2 percent in September 2025, compared to September 2024 when it stood at 1.7 percent, and this rise was driven by increases
- Saudi receptionist is mandatory at all tourism hospitality facilities
on October 15, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb has approved new policies and regulations for registering workers and localizing activities in licensed tourism facilities across Saudi
- Al-Hogail to embark on Asian tour Thursday to boost partnerships in real estate, smart cities
on October 15, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail is set to begin an Asian tour on Thursday to China and South Korea, aimed at boosting international partnerships in
- 4 arrested after seizure of huge cache of drugs hidden inside shipment of walnuts
on October 15, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Four persons —two Saudis and two Syrian nationals— were arrested after foiling major drug smuggling attempt in the Riyadh region. The General Directorate of Narcotics
- Crown Prince launches King Salman Gate project near Grand Mosque in Makkah
on October 15, 2025Saudi Gazette reportMAKKAH — Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of the “King Salman Gate” project, a mixed-use destination in Makkah, to be developed adjacent
- Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka closes after welcoming over 3 million visitors
on October 15, 2025OSAKA — The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka officially concluded its six-month participation on October 15, celebrating cultural exchange, innovation, and international collaboration after welcoming
- Al-Jadaan: No room for ego as Saudi giga projects face continual reassessment
by Anas-Alyusuf@saudigazette.com (Anas Alyusuf) on October 15, 2025Saudi Gazette reportNEW YORK — Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said Saudi Arabia remains committed to recalibrating its economic priorities under Vision 2030, emphasizing that giga projects
- Al-Falih: Saudi Arabia is keen on promoting sustainable investments in Tajikistan
on October 14, 2025Saudi Gazette reportDUSHANBE — Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih emphasized Saudi Arabia’s keenness on promoting sustainable investments in Tajikistan. He made the remarks in his opening speech
- Saudi Arabia's trade surplus exceeds SR26 billion in July, marking 53.4% annual growth
on October 14, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s trade balance recorded a surplus of SR26.85 billion during the month of July 2025. This records an annual growth rate of 53.4 percent and an increase of
