| 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
- Iranian FM receives Saudi deputy foreign minister in Tehran
on November 30, 2025Saudi Gazette reportTEHRAN — Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi received Deputy Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs Dr. Saud Al-Sati and the accompanying delegation
- OPEC+ agrees to use capacity mechanism for setting output quotas from 2027
on November 30, 2025Saudi Gazette reportVIENNA — The OPEC+ countries have approved a mechanism to assess members’ maximum production capacity to be used for setting output quotas from 2027. The eight countries, which
- Traffic Directorate announces plans to establish 5 driving schools
on November 30, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The General Directorate of Traffic announced on Sunday plans to establish five driving schools in the Kingdom. These will be in Riyadh, Dammam metropolitan area, as well
- HADAF to empower 356 citizens in the electric vehicle industry
on November 30, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) has signed three agreements for training partnerships with global companies. These agreements aimed to provide employment-linked
- Students back to school after fall break
on November 30, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Students in the public schools across Saudi Arabia returned to their class rooms on Sunday morning after the autumn break. This was the third break of the current academic
- Two Saudi satellites launched successfully
on November 30, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The Saudi Space Agency announced on Saturday the successful launch of two Saudi satellites. The satellites were designed by students of Umm Al-Qura University and Prince
- 5,651 mineralization sites discovered in Saudi Arabia in 2024
on November 30, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The total number of mineralization sites discovered in Saudi Arabia reached 5,651 in 2024, with non-metallic minerals accounting for the majority at 54.1percent with 3,058
- Saudi Arabia launches ‘Road to Riyadh’ program ahead of 2026 UN World Data Forum
on November 30, 2025RIYADH — The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has launched the “Road to Riyadh” program as part of the Kingdom’s preparations to host the 6th UN World Data Forum, scheduled to take place
- Total arrivals of GCC citizens to Saudi Arabia up 5.83% reaching 8.8 million in 2024
on November 30, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Total arrivals of citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states to Saudi Arabia jumped 5.83% to 8.8 million in 2024 compared with 2023. The total number of departure
- Saudi Arabia ranks third globally in advanced AI model development, Stanford report shows
on November 30, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Saudi Arabia has secured a top global position in artificial intelligence, ranking third worldwide in advanced AI model development and in the growth rate of AI-related jobs,
- Saudi authorities urge hikers and pilots to use satellite-based distress beacons
on November 30, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CSTC) and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) have called on outdoor enthusiasts and aviation users to take
- Saudi carriers restore operations after Airbus orders urgent A320 recall
on November 29, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector moved quickly over the weekend to contain disruption after Airbus ordered an urgent worldwide recall of 6,000 A320-family aircraft on Friday,
- 21,134 residency, labor, and border law violators arrested in one week
on November 29, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The Saudi security authorities have arrested a total of 21,134 illegal residents during the last week. The arrests were made in the joint inspections, carried out by the
- Maximum 3-year jail and fine of SR1 million for violators of geographical indications
on November 29, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH— Saudi Arabia has approved the Geographical Indications Protection Law which aims to provide protection for geographical indications of local products. The royal decree issued
- NCM: Winter begins Monday as rainfall expected to continue in several regions in coming days
on November 29, 2025Saudi Gazette reportJEDDAH—Hussein Al-Qahtani, spokesperson of the National Center for Meteorology (NCM), said that the meteorological winter season will begin in Saudi Arabia on Monday, Dec. 1, with
- Saudi forces demonstrate combat readiness as Medusa-14 Naval Exercise concludes in Egypt
on November 29, 2025Saudi Gazette reportCAIRO — The Medusa 14 Naval Exercise concluded in Egypt, with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces participating alongside forces from Egypt, the host country, as well as from France, Greece
- Riyadh Airports to launch major terminal transformation plan in early 2026
on November 29, 2025Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — King Khalid International Airport, operated by Riyadh Airports Company, is preparing to implement a major strategic transformation plan — the first of its kind since the
- Japan PM to address FII PRIORITY Asia Summit 2025 in Tokyo on Monday
on November 29, 2025Saudi Gazette reportTOKYO — The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute announced that Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi will attend as the Special Guest at the FII PRIORITY Asia Summit 2025,
- 173 countries benefit from Saudi humanitarian aid that accounts for $142 billion
on November 29, 2025Saudi Gazette reportLONDON — As many as 173 countries from around the world have benefited from 8,406 projects costing over $142 billion, implemented by Saudi Arabia in the humanitarian, relief, development,
- Saudi anti-narcotics film ‘The Watchful Eyes’ begins table read ahead of filming
on November 29, 2025Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), announced the start of the table read for the upcoming anti-narcotics film Al-Oyoun Al-Sahira (“The
