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
- Shoura council urges culture ministry to expand music and cinema programs, calls for arts school independenceon July 15, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The Shoura Council on Monday called on the Ministry of Culture to broaden its academic programs in music, cinema, theater, and performing arts, while also working toward
- Saudi Arabia voices support for Syria’s unity, condemns Israeli violationson July 15, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Saudi Arabia has expressed strong support for Syria’s sovereignty and unity, while condemning continued Israeli attacks on Syrian territory.In a statement on Tuesday, the
- Saudi Arabia completes July sukuk issuance with SR5.02 billion allocationon July 15, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The National Debt Management Center (NDMC) announced the completion of the July 2025 issuance under the Saudi government’s riyal-denominated sukuk program, with a total
- Health official warns against unsupervised use of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaroon July 15, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Saudi Deputy Minister of Health for Population Health, Dr. Abdullah Asiri, has issued a public warning against the unsupervised use of anti-obesity medications such as Ozempic
- Saudi Arabia bans grocery stores from selling tobacco productson July 15, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The Saudi Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has banned the sale of tobacco products in kiosks and grocery stores across the Kingdom.This is part of an update to the
- Saudi Arabia to expand railway network by over 50% under transport strategyon July 15, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Saudi Arabia aims to double the transport and logistics sector’s contribution to GDP, expand its railway network by over 50%, and more than double current passenger capacity
- King Salman chairs Cabinet session, endorses international cooperation and national development initiativeson July 15, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportJEDDAH — The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Jeddah, where the Council reviewed the Kingdom’s international
- SFDA refers illegal cosmetics facility to prosecution over expiry date tamperingon July 15, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has referred a violator to the Public Prosecution after uncovering a residential facility used to store and distribute cosmetic products
- Saudi tech and innovation delegation explores AI and space partnerships in UKon July 15, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportLONDON — A high-level Saudi delegation led by Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha visited several leading British technology and research institutions
- Saudi Arabia leads MENA in venture capital with $860 million in H1 2025on July 15, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Saudi Arabia maintained its position as the top destination for venture capital investment in the Middle East and North Africa during the first half of 2025, attracting SR3.2
- King Fahad National Library extends weekend hourson July 15, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — King Fahad National Library has announced extended weekend operating hours to improve access to knowledge and provide a more flexible and enriching experience for researchers
- Police in Najran arrest 12 expats for prostitution in residential apartmenton July 15, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportNAJRAN — Authorities in Najran have arrested 12 expatriates — five men and seven women — for engaging in prostitution inside a residential apartment.The operation was carried
- GASTAT: Inflation remains stable at 2.3% in Juneon July 15, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The annual inflation rate in Saudi Arabia remained relatively stable at 2.3 percent in June 2025 compared to the same month last year.The Consumer Price Index (CPI) or inflation
- Arab student experiments return from ISS, Saudi Space Agency confirms successon July 14, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The Saudi Space Agency announced on Tuesday the successful execution and safe return of scientific experiments conducted in microgravity by 10 student winners from Saudi
- Saudi energy minister urges global action on energy poverty at OPEC forumon July 14, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, emphasized the urgent need to tackle global energy poverty during his address at the OPEC International
- Authorities move to regulate car dealership agreements in Saudi Arabiaon July 14, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce and the General Authority for Competition have recently held several meetings to address the growing concentration in the automotive
- SFDA suspends European pharmaceutical factory over critical GMP violationson July 14, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has suspended the registration of a European pharmaceutical factory following the discovery of serious violations of Good Manufacturing
- Saudi Arabia operates 10 renewable energy projects with SR19.8 billion in investment by end of 2024on July 14, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Saudi Arabia operated five new solar energy projects in 2024 with a combined capacity of 3,751 megawatts, bringing the total number of operational renewable energy projects
- Jeddah exhibition showcases 500 years of Makkah and Madinah imageryon July 14, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportJEDDAH — A newly opened exhibition in Jeddah offers a rare glimpse into the historical evolution of the two holy cities — Makkah and Madinah — through a compelling collection
- HR Ministry launches 'Skills Week' to empower youth and align talent with labor market needson July 14, 2025
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development launched “Skills Week” on Monday, in conjunction with World Youth Skills Day, under the theme “Skills First.”The