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Saudi Arabia
Muslim World Study:
Saudi Arabia
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Introduction |
Saudi Arabia |
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Background:
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In 1902, ABD
AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud captured Riyadh and set
out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian Peninsula. A
son of ABD AL-AZIZ rules the country today, and the
country's Basic Law stipulates that the throne shall remain
in the hands of the aging sons and grandsons of the
kingdom's founder. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in
1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and
400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to
deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the
following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on
Saudi soil after Operation Desert Storm remained a source of
tension between the royal family and the public until the US
military's near-complete withdrawal to neighboring Qatar in
2003. The first major terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia in
several years, which occurred in May and November 2003,
prompted renewed efforts on the part of the Saudi government
to counter domestic terrorism and extremism, which also
coincided with a slight upsurge in media freedom and
announcement of government plans to phase in partial
political representation. A burgeoning population, aquifer
depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum
output and prices are all ongoing governmental concerns.
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Location:
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Middle East,
bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen
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Geographic coordinates:
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25 00 N, 45
00 E
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Map references:
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Middle East
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Area:
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total:
1,960,582 sq km
land: 1,960,582 sq km
water: 0 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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slightly more
than one-fifth the size of the US
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Land boundaries:
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total:
4,431 km
border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait
222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
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Coastline:
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2,640 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: not specified
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Climate:
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harsh, dry
desert with great temperature extremes
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Terrain:
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mostly
uninhabited, sandy desert
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest
point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
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Natural resources:
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petroleum,
natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
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Land use:
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arable
land: 1.67%
permanent crops: 0.09%
other: 98.24% (2001)
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Irrigated land:
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16,200 sq km
(1998 est.)
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Natural hazards:
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frequent sand
and dust storms
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Environment - current issues:
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desertification; depletion of underground water resources;
the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has
prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination
facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected
agreements
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Geography - note:
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extensive
coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great
leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian
Gulf and Suez Canal |
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Population:
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26,417,599
note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2005
est.)
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Age structure:
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0-14
years: 38.2% (male 5,149,960/female 4,952,138)
15-64 years: 59.4% (male 8,992,348/female 6,698,633)
65 years and over: 2.4% (male 334,694/female 289,826)
(2005 est.)
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Median age:
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total:
21.28 years
male: 22.84 years
female: 19.28 years (2005 est.)
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Population growth rate:
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2.31% (2005
est.)
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Birth rate:
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29.56
births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
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Death rate:
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2.62
deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
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Net migration rate:
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-3.85
migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
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Sex ratio:
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at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.34 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/female
total population: 1.21 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
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Infant mortality rate:
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total:
13.24 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 15.19 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total
population: 75.46 years
male: 73.46 years
female: 77.55 years (2005 est.)
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Total fertility rate:
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4.05 children
born/woman (2005 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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0.01% (2001
est.)
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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NA
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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NA
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Nationality:
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noun:
Saudi(s)
adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian
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Ethnic groups:
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Arab 90%,
Afro-Asian 10%
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Religions:
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Muslim 100%
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Languages:
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Arabic
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 78.8%
male: 84.7%
female: 70.8% (2003 est.)
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
conventional short form: Saudi Arabia
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
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Government type:
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monarchy
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Capital:
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Riyadh
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Administrative divisions:
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13 provinces
(mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash
Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash
Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah,
Najran, Tabuk |
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Independence:
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23 September
1932 (unification of the kingdom)
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National holiday:
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Unification
of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)
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Constitution:
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governed
according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that
articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was
introduced in 1993 |
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Legal system:
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based on
Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced;
commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
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Suffrage:
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adult male
citizens age 21 or older
note: voter registration began in November 2004 for
partial municipal council elections scheduled nationwide for
February through April 2005 |
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Executive branch:
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chief of
state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz
Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince
SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the
monarch, born 5 January 1928) note - the monarch is both the
chief of state and head of government
head of government: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH
bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent
Crown Prince SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother
of the monarch, born 5 January 1928) note - the monarch is
both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the
monarch and includes many royal family members
elections: note - in October 2003, Council of
Ministers announced its intent to introduce elections for
half of the members of local and provincial assemblies and a
third of the members of the national Consultative Council or
Majlis al-Shura, incrementally over a period of four to five
years; in November 2004, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural
Affairs initiated voter registration for partial municipal
council elections scheduled nationwide for February through
April 2005 |
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Legislative branch:
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Consultative
Council or Majlis al-Shura (120 members and a chairman
appointed by the monarch for four-year terms)
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme
Council of Justice
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Political parties and leaders:
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none
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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none
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International organization participation:
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ABEDA, AfDB,
AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC,
OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer) |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of
mission: Ambassador Turki al-Faysal bin Abd al-Aziz Al
Saud
chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20037
telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New
York
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of
mission: Ambassador James Curtis OBERWETTER
embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
mailing address: American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307,
APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309,
Riyadh 11693
telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800
FAX: [966] (1) 488-3989
consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)
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Flag description:
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green, a
traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or
Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as
"There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God")
above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist
side); design dates to the early twentieth century and is
closely associated with the Al Saud family which established
the kingdom in 1932 |
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Economy - overview:
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This is an
oil-based economy with strong government controls over major
economic activities. Saudi Arabia possesses 25% of the
world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest
exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The
petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget
revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 40%
of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly five and a
half million foreign workers play an important role in the
Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service sectors.
The government in 1999 announced plans to begin privatizing
the electricity companies, which follows the ongoing
privatization of the telecommunications company. The
government is encouraging private sector growth to lessen
the kingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment
opportunities for the swelling Saudi population. Priorities
for government spending in the short term include additional
funds for education and for the water and sewage systems.
Economic reforms proceed cautiously because of deep-rooted
political and social conservatism. |
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GDP (purchasing power parity):
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$310.2
billion (2004 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate:
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5% (2004
est.)
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing
power parity - $12,000 (2004 est.)
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 4.2%
industry: 67.2%
services: 28.6% (2004 est.)
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Labor force:
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6.62 million
note: more than 35% of the population in the 15-64
age group is non-national (2004 est.)
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture
12%, industry 25%, services 63% (1999 est.)
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Unemployment rate:
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25%
(unofficial estimate) (2004 est.)
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Population below poverty line:
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NA
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest
10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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0.8% (2004
est.)
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Investment (gross fixed):
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17.2% of GDP
(2004 est.)
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Budget:
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revenues:
$104.8 billion
expenditures: $78.66 billion, including capital
expenditures of NA (2004 est.)
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Public debt:
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75% of GDP
(2004 est.)
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Agriculture - products:
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wheat,
barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens,
eggs, milk
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Industries:
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crude oil
production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals,
ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda),
cement, construction, fertilizer, plastics, commercial ship
repair, commercial aircraft repair |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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2.8% (2004
est.)
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Electricity - production:
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138.2 billion
kWh (2002)
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil
fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (2001)
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Electricity - consumption:
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128.5 billion
kWh (2002)
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Electricity - exports:
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0 kWh (2002)
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Electricity - imports:
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0 kWh (2002)
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Oil - production:
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9.021 million
bbl/day (2004 est.)
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Oil - consumption:
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1.55 million
bbl/day (2003)
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Oil - exports:
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7.92 million
bbl/day (2003)
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Oil - imports:
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0 bbl/day
(2003)
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Oil - proved reserves:
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261.7 billion
bbl (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - production:
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56.4 billion
cu m (2002)
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Natural gas - consumption:
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56.4 billion
cu m (2002)
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Natural gas - exports:
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0 cu m (2002)
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Natural gas - imports:
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0 cu m (2002)
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Natural gas - proved reserves:
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6.339
trillion cu m (2004)
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Current account balance:
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$51.5 billion
(2004 est.)
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Exports:
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$113 billion
f.o.b. (2004 est.)
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Exports - commodities:
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petroleum and
petroleum products 90%
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Exports - partners:
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US 18.2%,
Japan 14.9%, South Korea 9.5%, China 6.1%, Taiwan 4.5%,
Singapore 4.1% (2004)
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Imports:
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$36.21
billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
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Imports - commodities:
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machinery and
equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles
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Imports - partners:
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US 15.3%,
Japan 9.8%, Germany 8.1%, China 6.6%, UK 5.7% (2004)
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Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
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$23.62
billion (2004 est.)
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Debt - external:
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$34.35
billion (2004 est.)
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Economic aid - donor:
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pledged $100
million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon; since
2000, Saudi Arabia has committed $307 million for assistance
to the Palestinians; pledged $240 million to development in
Afghanistan; pledged $1 billion in export guarantees and
soft loans to Iraq |
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Currency (code):
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Saudi riyal
(SAR)
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Currency code:
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SAR
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Exchange rates:
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Saudi riyals
per US dollar - 3.745 (2004), 3.745 (2003), 3.745 (2002),
3.745 (2001), 3.745 (2000)
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Fiscal year:
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1 March - 28
February
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Communications |
Saudi Arabia |
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Telephones - main lines in use:
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3,502,600
(2003)
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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7,238,200
(2003)
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Telephone system:
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general
assessment: modern system
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial
cable, and fiber-optic cable systems
international: country code - 966; microwave radio
relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and
Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; submarine cable
to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 5
Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat,
and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) |
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 43, FM 31,
shortwave 2 (1998)
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Radios:
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6.25 million
(1997)
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Television broadcast stations:
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117 (1997)
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Televisions:
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5.1 million
(1997)
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Internet country code:
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.sa
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Internet hosts:
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15,931 (2004)
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Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
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22 (2003)
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Internet users:
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1.5 million
(2003)
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Transportation |
Saudi Arabia |
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Railways:
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total:
1,392 km
standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch
lines and sidings) (2004)
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Highways:
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total:
152,044 km
paved: 45,461 km
unpaved: 106,583 km (2000)
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Pipelines:
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condensate
212 km; gas 1,780 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,191 km; oil
5,068 km; refined products 1,162 km (2004)
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Ports and harbors:
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Ad Dammam, Al
Jubayl, Jiddah, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah
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Merchant marine:
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total:
64 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,306,706 GRT/1,963,191 DWT
by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 12, container 4,
passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker 23, refrigerated cargo
3, roll on/roll off 9
foreign-owned: 14 (Egypt 2, Hong Kong 1, Kuwait 5,
Singapore 1, Sudan 1, UAE 1, United Kingdom 3)
registered in other countries: 54 (2005)
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Airports:
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201 (2004
est.)
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total:
72
over 3,047 m: 32
2,438 to 3,047 m: 13
1,524 to 2,437 m: 23
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total:
129
over 3047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 72
914 to 1,523 m: 39
under 914 m: 12 (2004 est.)
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Heliports:
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5 (2004 est.)
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Military branches:
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Land Force
(Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard,
Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary)
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Military service age and obligation:
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18 years of
age (est.); no conscription (2004)
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Manpower available for military service:
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males age
18-49: 7,648,999 (2005 est.)
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Manpower fit for military service:
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males age
18-49: 6,592,709 (2005 est.)
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Manpower reaching military service age annually:
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males:
247,334 (2005 est.)
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Military expenditures - dollar figure:
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$18 billion
(2002)
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
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10% (2002)
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Transnational Issues |
Saudi Arabia |
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Disputes - international:
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despite
resistance from nomadic groups, the demarcation of the Saudi
Arabia-Yemen boundary established under the 2000 Jeddah
Treaty is almost complete; Yemen protests Saudi erection of
a concrete-filled pipe as a security barrier in 2004 to stem
illegal cross-border activities in sections of the boundary;
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime
boundary with Iran; because the treaties have not been made
public, the exact alignment of the boundary with the UAE is
still unknown |
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Refugees and internally displaced persons:
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refugees
(country of origin): 240,000 (Palestinian Territories)
(2004)
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Illicit drugs:
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death penalty
for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin, cocaine,
and hashish; not a major money-laundering center, improving
anti-money-laundering legislation
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Source: 2005 CIA World Factbook
See Muslim World Study
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