Saudi Arabia is quite the powerhouse. It is not only rich in oil, but it also houses two of the Islam faith’s most religious sites. You may already know these things about Saudi Arabia, but what else do you know? Did you know that the country currently has a proxy conflict with Iran? Or that the Saudi nation is often in the spotlight due to women’s rights? Well, we have gathered some photos and facts about Saudi Arabia. Keep reading to know more about this interesting Middle Eastern country.
Women Driving
Ever since Saudi Arabia became a country, women had been prohibited from driving in the Saudi nation. There used to be a law that banned female drivers from obtaining a license. However, the law was recently revoked, and in June 2018, the country started allowing women to get a driver’s license.
Women Driving
Oil Wells
We all know that there is a lot of oil in the Middle East, especially the Arab Peninsula, but did you know that buying oil in Saudi Arabia is cheaper than buying water? That’s how rich in oil the country is!
Oil Wells
Tons Of Money
Let’s face it. Oil is not cheap but it is a commodity that everyone needs. As a result, the royals of Saudi Arabia have accumulated massive wealth. Their collected wealth is estimated to be approximately $14 trillion!
Tons Of Money
Women’s Rights
For women, driving is going in the right course at least. However, women still can’t engage in quite a few activities in the Saudi nation. Women do not have the right to own a bank account, they cannot travel if they do not have a male companion, and they even cannot attend school or have a job outside their homes if they are unaccompanied.
Women’s Rights
Conditional Love
In the Saudi kingdom, love is under strict control when homosexuality is involved. A better way to phrase it would be, “Being gay in Saudi Arabia is illegal.” Punishment of lashings can be mete out to those who are caught doing homosexual activities, or they may even receive capital punishment.
Conditional Love
Absolute Monarchy
Currently, there are still a few countries in the world which have an absolute monarchy. Saudi Arabia adopted this type of government on September 23rd, 1932, when the House of Saud began ruling. Other countries with an absolute monarchy are Oman, Brunei, Swaziland, and Vatican City.
Absolute Monarchy
Punishable Crimes
Since we mentioned the death penalty, you should know that homosexuality isn’t the only way a person could be put to death. The government of Saudi Arabia imposes the death penalty on crimes such as murder, armed robbery, adultery, and witchcraft. In the year 2006, a total of 154 offenders got executed after receiving a guilty verdict for committing these crimes.
Punishable Crimes
Holy Sites
There is a common misconception that for Muslims, the holiest site is Jerusalem. Even some Muslims have this misconception. However, the two sites regarded as the holiest in Islam can actually be found in the Saudi kingdom. The two places are Mecca City and Medina City.
Holy Sites
Cautious Photography
Due to strict modesty laws in Saudi Arabia, snapping pictures of women is not allowed. If you wish to take pictures of Saudi men, then you will not have any issues. You will only have to get permission, of course.
Cautious Photography
Protecting Its Borders
Because of its restless borders, the Saudi kingdom has built fences and walls to ward off threats from neighboring countries. Two examples of these threats are the ISIS coming in from the north and the Yemeni civil war that has erupted south of Saudi Arabia.
Protecting Its Borders
The Tallest Building
If you think that Dubai’s Burj Khalifa is tall, then there is another one coming that is even taller. In 2020, the monstrous Jeddah Tower will break the record for the tallest building in the world. “Kingdom Tower” will be another name given to it. The building will be the first ever to surpass the 1000-meter mark.
The Tallest Building
No Alcohol
Like other Muslim nations, selling and drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited, and there is a severe penalty for offenders. In spite of not having to face the death penalty, offenders will find themselves having to face the whip.
No Alcohol
Camel Meat
Understanding that there are a lot of camels in Saudi Arabia, allows us to understand why camel is a major component of Saudi Arabian cuisine. Other foods which are indigenous to the area are a flat bread called fatir, a drinkable yogurt called laban, and a rice dish with chicken called kapsa.
Camel Meat
Using Your Right Hand
Just like what everyone knows, in Saudi Arabia, if you meet a new person, you will have to extend your right hand for a hand shake. Using your right hand is not only common courtesy, but it is also because if you use your left hand, it is considered to be unsanitary and rude. For the Saudi Arabians, their left hands are for other tasks which are less clean.
Using Your Right Hand
Desert Land
Saudi Arabia is quite a large country, but sand covers most of its land. All this sand is the reason why the country just has roughly 2% of land which can be farmed.
Desert Land
UNESCO Sites
Saudi Arabia proudly has a total of four World Heritage sites that are listed by UNESCO. They are Historic Jeddah, Rock Art in the Ha’il Region, Al-Hijr Archaeological Site, and At-Turaif District in ad-Dir’iyah.
UNESCO Sites
Missing Saudi Journalist
International headlines have been dominated by news of the missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He disappeared on October 2, 2018 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Khashoggi was outspoken about his disappointments with the Crown Prince and Saudi leadership. Sadly, Turkish investigators have concluded Khashoggi was murdered by the Saudis and then even dismembered and taken discreetly out of the country. On October 16th, USA Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with the Crown Prince and his foreign minister, but stated, “the Saudi leadership strongly denied any knowledge of what took place in their consulate in Istanbul.”
Missing Saudi Journalist
Supreme King
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud became the king and the prime minister of the Saudi kingdom in January 2015. He also became head of the royal family. Every king is deserving of an appropriate title, and this 82-year-old is called the “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.”
Supreme King
No Smoking
One of the Arabian region’s trademarks is the water pipes, which are also known as hookahs and shishas. However, Saudi Arabia does not allow every single kind of smoking. In 2012, the Saudi government adopted extra measures to prevent the citizens from smoking. Smoking was banned in a lot of public areas and in government institutions. It is estimated that the population blows roughly $8 million daily on cigs.
No Smoking
Shooting Squads
The Saudi government has executed criminals by way of beheading for many years, but it has moved its preference to executions through a shooting squad. Being humane is in no way the reason behind this shift. The main reason is that the government is unable to find skilled swordsmen who can perform the task.
Shooting Squads
Massive Land
Taking a look at a map will make you realize just how massive Saudi Arabia is. The country is the 13th largest on the planet with a total land area of 2,149,690 square kilometers or 830,000 square miles.
Massive Land
Two Full Weddings
A wedding is an expensive affair as it is, but a double-wedding is definitely more costly. In Saudi Arabia, couples get hitched in two separate halls, each with its own party that is completely separate from the other one.
Two Full Weddings
Road Accidents
In Saudi Arabia, driving is quite dangerous. In fact, the Saudi kingdom is considered to be one of the top countries where it is really dangerous to drive a vehicle in. A study conducted by World Bank back in 2000 revealed that aside from Saudi Arabia, the top countries where it is really dangerous to drive in were South Africa, Thailand and Malaysia.
Road Accidents
Buying Camels
There are a lot of reasons why camels are really important to Saudis, more reasons than you can come up with as a matter of fact. The camel market in Riyadh is one of the biggest in the world, and camel sellers succeed in selling around 100 camels in a day.
Buying Camels
Contraceptives
Saudi law does not allow men and women to use contraceptives. What makes this rather surprising is the fact that Iran, another Muslim-majority country in the Middle East, actually has a state-supported condom factory.
Contraceptives
Chewing Coffee Beans
Coffee is considered to be a stimulant, so it is forbidden. It is called ‘gahwa’ by the Saudis which means, “that which prevents sleep.” Even with the law in place, a lot of Saudis still drink coffee. Some of them even chew coffee beans when they’re praying.
Chewing Coffee Beans
Powerful Figures
Forbes magazine included the late King Abdullah, who was 90 years old, in its list of most powerful individuals in the world back in January 2015. Just before the King died, he was also named the most powerful Muslim on the planet.
Powerful Figures
Her Garb
Saudi women wear an ‘abaya,’ a traditional black Judaic dress. Despite the fact that this garb was originally from biblical times, it still has relevance in the present time.
Her Garb
His Garb
Men in the Saudi kingdom have their own set of traditional clothing. They wear a ‘thobe’ (which is a cotton garment that is lightweight and white in color), a ‘bischt’ (which looks like a gown for graduation), and a ‘gutra’ (which is scarf traditionally worn on the head).
His Garb
Selling Lingerie
Up until 2012, women in the Saudi nation had to buy lingerie from men. This made women feel uncomfortable. Actually, women had not been permitted to work outside their homes, so the men sold lingerie. However, in 2012, King Abdullah changed the law and transferred the rights to lingerie-selling to women only.
Selling Lingerie
Slaves In Saudi Arabia
For many centuries in the Arabian Peninsula, it was really common to buy and sell slaves. Saudi Arabia, however, only abolished slavery back in 1962.
Slaves In Saudi Arabia
Voting Rights
Among all the countries in the world, Saudi Arabia was the last to grant the right to vote to women. In 2011, the late King Abdullah already announced the change, but the law only came into effect around four years later.
Voting Rights
The Modesty Police
Some of the crimes that we haven’t mentioned are those that pertain to religious offenses. The “Mutaween” or the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (CPVPV) is a police force which is specifically responsible in making sure that locals and tourists alike behave appropriately.
The Modesty Police
Saudi Arabia’s Name
After King Abdulaziz ibn Abdul Rahman ibn Faisal ibn Turki ibn Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al Saud (also known as Ibn Saud) declared the independence of Saudi Arabia back in 1932, and he made himself the king of the country. Saudi Arabia got its name from this king. He married 17 women, had 44 sons that people know of and had an unknown number of daughters.
Saudi Arabia’s Name
First Arab Astronaut
In 1985, Saudi Arabia went down in history as the first country to send an Arab astronaut into space. The first Arab, first Saudi and first Muslim to ever enter space is Prince Sultan bin Salman. He was one of the crew members aboard the space shuttle “Discovery.”
First Arab Astronaut
“Winston’s Hiccup”
There is a joke about the Saudi kingdom’s size that is related to Winston Churchill, the English Prime Minister. The joke goes that while Churchill was outlining the boundaries for Jordan and Saudi Arabia, he hiccupped from drinking so much brandy. Because of this, his hand slipped and granted Saudi Arabia a few thousand miles extra.
“Winston’s Hiccup”
Harry Potter
Owing to the fact that he is a wizard, books about Harry Potter are regarded as “illegal reading material” by the Saudis. Therefore, things related to Harry Potter are prohibited in Saudi Arabia.
Harry Potter
Non-Muslims
Non-Muslims are permitted to work and visit in Saudi Arabia. However, if you plan to get citizenship, then it is actually not possible. In addition, people are allowed to create places of worship only for Islam and not for any other religion.
Non Muslims
Assassinated King
1975 was a really distressing time for the royal family since it was the year they experienced an assassination in the family. King Faisal was killed by his own nephew when the King came back from his American trip. Time magazine actually named the King as the “Man of the Year” not long before he was assassinated.
Assassinated King
9/11 Involvement
While the U.S. was still recovering from the 9/11 tragedy, Saudi Arabia was also defending its non-involvement in the terrorist attacks. However, soon proof would surface that out of the 19 hijackers that carried out the attacks that Tuesday morning, 15 were from Saudi Arabia.
9/11 Involvement
Yom Kippur War
In 1973, when a war erupted between Israel and the countries Syria and Egypt, the Saudi kingdom sent 3,000 fighters to Syria in order to aid Arab forces. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia sent armored vehicles to the war front. However, the Israeli Army destroyed and captured most of them.
Yom Kippur War
Care For Citizens
Healthcare in Saudi Arabia is free for all its citizens. Public schooling is also free. However, Saudi Arabia’s literacy rate has stayed at 70% in spite of free public schooling.
Care For Citizens
Young Nation
It is quite remarkable that 75% of the population of Saudi Arabia is under 35 years old. In fact, 18 years old is the average age of Saudi Arabian citizens.
Young Nation
A Giant Fountain
Even though it is a country that has no rivers and whose major landscape is only sand, the Saudi nation is still the proud home of the planet’s tallest water fountain. This project had been commissioned by King Fahd. At present, it has become a major attraction for tourists.
A Giant Fountain
Relationship With America
“Oil for security” is what the agreement between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. is called. The idea is rather self-explanatory. The countries have combined their efforts to ward off common threats like the ISIS and Al Qaeda.
Relationship With America
Saudis In America
Were you aware that land plots in the United States have been purchased by Saudi Arabians? They have focused on Arizona in general where they have been growing hay that they ship back to Saudi Arabian dairy farms.
Saudis In America
The Muslim Brotherhood
The Arab world got a huge surprise when Saudi Arabia officially listed the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Other Arab countries openly shared their disgust at the move that the Saudi kingdom took.
The Muslim Brotherhood
The Queen Of England
In 1935, England’s Queen Elizabeth granted King Ibn Saud a knighthood. He became a knight in the Order of the Bath. This action was important and well-publicized, and both the English and the Saudis received it with great respect.
The Queen Of England
The Religious Police
When a school for girls in Mecca burned down in 2002, rumors about the 15 girls that lost their lives began to spread. There were talks that because the 15 schoolgirls were not exactly dressed in accordance with the dress code in Islam, they left the girls trapped inside and as a result, they perished.
The Religious Police
To The Cross
Despite the fact that Saudi law allows various death penalty methods to be used, one that is talked about less is by way of crucifixion. Even if it is not a favorite, it is a method that is still chosen.
To The Cross
Drinking From The Sea
It is a fact that Saudi Arabia is a big desert, and while there are two seas located on either side of the country, there are no rivers in it. The clean water in Saudi Arabia comes from the converted salt water that goes through the country’s desalination plant, which happens to be the largest in the world.
Drinking From The Sea
The Stampede
On September 24th, 2015, over 2,000 people perished in the “2015 Mina Stampede.” They were people who visited the country for the Hajj pilgrimage done annually. The stampede was blamed on overcrowding.
The Stampede
Stoning The Devil
During the Islamic calendar month called Dhu al-Hijjah, worshipers throw small rocks at symbolic pillars on the tenth day or on Eid al-Adha. This symbolizes throwing stones at the devil. The worshipers use seven stones for this.
Stoning The Devil
Going Nuclear
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have close military relations, and it has been like that for a long time. Pakistan’s nuclear program has been receiving funds from the Saudi kingdom. Many, therefore, believe that the Saudi nation will eventually want to buy Pakistani nuclear weapons thereafter.
Going Nuclear
Deporting Immigrants
Since 2013, the Saudi kingdom has deported and detained over 500,000 immigrants. These immigrants actually make up most of the cheap work force in Saudi Arabia, and most of the immigrants come from Ethiopia, Yemen, and Somalia.
Deporting Immigrants
Praying Times
During the day, many different times are allotted to hold prayers. Praying is really important in Saudi Arabia, and therefore, businesses sometimes even close 3 to 4 times in one day for 30-45 minutes to give time for prayer.
Praying Times
Second World War
Saudi Arabia actually didn’t want any involvement in the fighting in the Second World War. The former King Abd al Aziz was quite close to the Axis powers, but as the war was nearing its end, he shifted his alliance to the Allies.
Second World War
Speaking Up
In Saudi Arabia, insulting Islam is like opening the gates of hell. Just try asking Saudi writer Raif Badawi. The guy received 1,000 lashes on top of the 10-year prison sentence that was imposed on him in 2014 all because he insulted Islam.
Speaking Up
Converting Currencies
The American dollar is worth more than the Saudi Riyal. As of this writing, one U.S. dollar can be exchanged for 3.75 Saudi Riyal.
Converting Currencies
Military Might
Military expenditure is allocated over 10% of Saudi Arabia’s GDP. In fact, among all the countries with the highest military expenses, Saudi Arabia ranks fourth, spending a massive $63.7 billion dollars annually.
Military Might
Its Neighbors
Other Arab countries surround Saudi Arabia. They are: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar to the east, Iraq and Jordan off to the north, Yemen in the south, Kuwait off to the northeast, and Oman in the southeast.
Its Neighbors
Two Calendars
Did you know that until 2016, Saudi Arabia had been using just one calendar – a Lunar Islamic Calendar that is their own – but these days, the Saudis also follow the Gregorian calendar, which is mainly used for civil purposes.
Two Calendars
Domestic Violence Against Women
Since women are considered to be second-class citizens, it is not a surprise that a law which criminalizes domestic violence against females only came into effect in August 2013. Currently, abusers can get a maximum jail time of 12 months and may have to pay a maximum fine of $13,000.
Domestic Violence Against Women
Playing Sports
Due to a beautiful coastline, the Saudi Arabians have fallen in love with water sports. Besides sailing, scuba diving, and windsurfing, the Saudis also enjoy sports, such as basketball and soccer.
Playing Sports
Soccer Squad
Saudi Arabia is not an exception when it comes to the soccer fever. As a matter of fact, their national team has gone to the FIFA World Cup a number of times already. The Saudis will forever be remembered for the tragic loss they suffered when they went up against Argentina in the final of the 1992 Confederations Cup. Argentina won with the final score of 3-1.
Soccer Squad
Camel Races
In 1974, Saudi Arabia held the first ever King’s Camel Race, and it has since become an annual event which is massively-viewed. Large numbers of spectators come to the Saudi nation to sometimes participate in as well as watch the races.
Camel Races
Scuba Diving
With Saudi Arabia’s long coast, it is understandable that quite a lot of diving enthusiasts visit the country to check out its coral ecosystem. Remarkably, the Red Sea is home to around 1,200 fish species, 10% of which can only be seen there and not anywhere else.
Scuba Diving
Strong Winds
When you hear the word “shamal,” what comes to mind? For the people of Saudi Arabia, the word means wind that is so strong it can wreck one town. The powerful winds coming from the north have a maximum speed of over 50 miles an hour.
Strong Winds
Falcons For Sport
A wingman has no place in Saudi Arabia. The Saudis have falcons! The ancient and traditional sport aptly called falconry is an active sport that the Saudi population participates in.
Falcons For Sport
Shoe Soles Are Rude
Perhaps, you have observed that the soles of shoes aren’t really a pretty sight. In Saudi Arabia, it is considered rude when a person shows the soles of his or her shoes. That means that showing someone the soles of your shoes would be a really impolite gesture. So, now you know what to avoid doing in the Saudi kingdom.
Shoe Soles Are Rude
100,000 Tents
Calling Saudi Arabia’s Mina City as “Tent City” makes perfect sense. There are over 100,000 tents in the city, and all the tents are fire-retardant. In addition, they come with kitchens that are fully equipped, as well as bathrooms. With the tents sitting in a rather hot country, air-conditioning is installed in all of them.
100,000 Tents
Other Exports
We all know that Saudi Arabia is an oil exporter, but what does the Saudi nation have to offer besides oil? Well, they also export steel, concrete, building materials, and auto parts.
Other Exports
Arab Fashion Week
History was made in April 2018 when Saudi Arabia hosted the Arab fashion week – the first ever of its kind. The planned date for the event was a couple of weeks earlier, though. Designers and models from different countries came to join the fashion week. The Saudi nation hopes that it can create a hotspot for fashion within the region.
Arab Fashion Week
Saudi Cuisine
Since the Saudis are religious Muslims, people are forbidden from having pork. Furthermore, Halaal standards must be followed when slaughtering other animals. The Saudis eat different kinds of traditional food that carry Indian, Turkish, Persian, African roots, and many more. The population enjoys dishes like kebabs, shawarma, falafel, and kabsa.
Saudi Cuisine
Clandestine Mission
Back in 1503, Ludovico de Varthema, an Italian man, became the first ever non-Muslim to participate in the pilgrimage to Mecca. Ludovico disguised himself as a Mameluke guard that was protecting pilgrims. He spent three weeks in Mecca. Unfortunately, when he left and arrived in Yemen, he couldn’t remember his Arabic and was thrown into prison. Fortunately, he got rescued three months after.
Clandestine Mission
Off To The Races
If you still don’t believe that they love camels in Saudi Arabia, then this might help you. In the Saudi kingdom, they have camel races! The King’s Cup is a huge race that takes place annually during the Al-Janadrivah National Festival. There are a maximum of 2,000 participants who race across a track that is 19 kilometers long. Told you they love camels!
Off To The Races
Burial Rules
Under Saudi Arabian traditions, non-Muslims should not be buried inside the borders of the country. In 2012, however, the country made a minor change. These burial restrictions were eased but only under specific circumstances.
Burial Rules
Television Controversy
The late King Faisal brought TV to the Saudi nation back in 1965. Unsurprisingly, the religious fanatics were in strong opposition of television, claiming that it was salacious. Only ten years later, in 1975, one of the nephews of the king was shot dead by the police after he lead an assault on one TV station. In that same year, the brother of the king’s deceased nephew assassinated King Faisal. For this murder, the perpetrator was later beheaded publicly.
Television Controversy
Worry Beads
Many people in Saudi Arabia have Misbaha with them. They are prayer breads that are also known as “worry beads.” Originally, the purpose of the beads was for counting the prayers during calls of prayer. These beads are on a string, which look like a necklace, in a set with 33 to 99 beads.
Worry Beads
Where My Witches At?
We already mentioned that Harry Potter is banned. However, this goes much deeper than just banning reading materials about wizards and witches. In Saudi Arabia, an Anti-Witchcraft Action Unit exists under the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPVPV). Do you remember them? Yup, they are the religious police. This unit basically should apprehend any sorcerer and, reverse the harmful results of any spell that was cast. Interesting…
Where My Witches At?
Mandated Religious Study
In Saudi Arabia, all public schools are religious. Not surprising since the government has a mandate that everyone has to participate in Koran study every day. They begin studying the Koran during first grade, and they do it for about half of the day. In elementary school, science, math, history, and physical education average 12 periods in a week combined. On the other hand, religious studies average 9 periods weekly.
Mandated Religious Study
First Female Olympic Athletes
Crown Prince Nayef passed away in June 2012. 76 year-old Prince Salman replaced the late Crown Prince. Since Prince Salman is a defense minister who is much more liberal, it is not a coincidence that in that year, the Saudi nation sent its very first female athletes to participate and compete in the Olympics.
First Female Olympic Athletes
School Year
In Saudi Arabia, things are a little different, especially in the schools. By now, you probably have realized that already. Well, students also attend school at a different time in the year. The kids in the Saudi kingdom have classes from October to July.
School Year
Highest Point
Most people believe that the highest point in Saudi Arabia is Jabal Sawda, which sits at almost 10,000 ft above sea level. There are some people, however, that claim there are elevations that are higher in the country. Regardless, Jabal Sawda is a breathtaking sight. The Al Souda village can be found near the peak. The village is a major tourist stop and there is even a cable car that runs to the top of the mountain.
Highest Point
Family Activist
Princess Ameerah is a worldwide favorite. She isn’t just known and celebrated due to her beauty, but also because she is very vocal and active in standing up for the things she believes in. There is even a quote by the Princess saying, “Everyone knows me, I sit with extreme conservatives; I sit with extreme liberals. My agenda is not to create negativity but unity.”
Family Activist
Princess Times Two
Princess Ameerah wasn’t actually born royalty. She was once married to Prince Talal. However, the two got divorced in 2013. Despite this, they are still on good terms. In 2012, she was interviewed by The Wall Street Journal and she explained, “It’s so ironic because my name means ‘Princess’ in Arabic and when I got married to Prince Talal, people referred to me as ‘Ameerah Ameerah’ or ‘Princess Princess’.”
Princess Times Two
Reckless On The Roads
When you hear “sidewall skiing,” what comes to mind? Well, it is actually an outrageous and really dangerous “sport,” which happens to have taken Saudi Arabia by storm. This has even garnered plenty of attention worldwide. The so-called sport involves skillfully raising one side of the jeep while driving. Now if that isn’t dangerous enough, passengers at times hang out of the Jeep’s windows, and even take off a wheel or sometimes two!
Reckless On The Roads