About Saudi Arabia
The map shows Saudi Arabia, officially the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a desert country in southwestern Asia (Middle East) that occupies most of the
Arabian Peninsula.
The kingdom is bounded by the Gulf of Aqaba and the
Red Sea in the west and the Persian Gulf in the east. Border countries are
Iraq,
Jordan,
Kuwait,
Oman,
Qatar,
United Arab Emirates, and
Yemen. Saudi Arabia shares maritime boundaries with
Egypt,
Sudan, and
Eritrea in the Red Sea, and with
Iran, and
Bahrain in the Persian Gulf.
Area
The country is the largest Arab state with a
land area of more than two million km²; (2,149,690 km2 (830,000 sq mi)) compared, the sheikdom is about four times the size of
France, or somewhat larger than one quarter the size of the contiguous United States.
Population
Saudi Arabia has a
population of 35,3 million people (in 2026); more than 13 million foreigners (expatriates) living in Saudi Arabia, mainly from Asia and the Middle East. Until the 1960s, most of the population was nomadic or semi-nomadic; today more than 95% of the population is settled. The majority of the Saudis (80%) live in major urban centers.
Saudi Arabia is the homeland of Arab Bedouins and the Arabian language, the historic birthplace of Islam and the Arab-Islamic culture which originated in the towns of
Mecca and Medina at the beginning of the 7th century.
Religion
Islam is the official religion; the vast majority of citizens are Sunni Muslim (85%–90%), with a Shia minority (10%–12%).
The country's capital and largest city is
Riyadh. Other major towns are Jiddah,
Ta'if (At Taif), Dammam, Buraydah, and Al Khobar, part of the Dammam metropolitan area. Spoken
language is Arabic.
More about Saudi Arabia
Al-Masjid Al-Ḥarām, the Great Mosque of Mecca. Located within the largest mosque in the world is the Kaaba, the holy shrine of Islam. Abraj Al Bait in background, a megatall hotel complex of seven skyscrapers.
Photo: neo saed
The
Arabian Desert covers large parts of the country's landscape. The vast area consists of a number of interconnected desert regions including the
An Nafud in the north, and the
Rub' al Khali ("the Empty Quarter") in the southern part of the country. The Rub' al Khali is one of the world's largest contiguous sand deserts.
The coastal plain in western Saudi Arabia along the Red Sea is known as the
Tihamah, the east of the plain is dominated by the escarpments of two mountain ranges, the Hejaz and the Asir mountain range, separated by a gap in the area of Mecca. The highest point of Saudi Arabia is
Jabal Sawda, the peak of about 3,000 m is located in the Abha region in the Asir mountains in the southwestern corner of the sheikdom. The one hundred kilometers wide strip of coastal plains and the western mountain ranges is known as the
Hejaz ('the Barrier'). The Hejaz separates the coastal area from the
Najd, the central region of Saudi Arabia. The Najd is bounded to the east by the historical region of Eastern Arabia, and in the north by the Syrian Desert.
There are no rivers or bodies of water in the country, only ancient river channels, now buried by the seas of sand. There are wadis, i.e. valleys or river courses, which often carry water temporarily only after heavy or prolonged rainfall. Nonrenewable fossil water from aquifers and underground rivers, water from seasonal floods, and desalinated saltwater are used for human consumption and irrigation.
Climate
Saudi Arabia has a predominantly hot and dry environment. The continental climate in the interior of the country features considerable temperature differences, especially between day and night. In summer, maximum temperatures of 50° C are possible during the day, in winter, the freezing point can be reached at night. The average annual temperature is 28° C.
Administrative regions
Saudi Arabia is divided into 13 administrative regions.
Saudi Arabia's administrative divisions are officially called "provinces" (in Arabic,
minṭaqah)
The provinces are:
Qaṣr al-Farīd, the largest tomb in Hegra (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ), an archaeological site located in the area of Al-'Ula in Medina Province in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia. Hegra Archaeological Site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Photo: Ali Lajami
1. Al-Bahah Province
A small mountainous region known for its cool climate and green landscapes. Al-Bahah is a popular summer retreat and home to traditional villages like Dhee Ayn, built with white marble. Region capital is Al-Bahah, located in the Sarawat Mountains and one of the country's tourist destinations.
- 2. Al Jawf Province
Situated in northern Saudi Arabia, Al Jawf is known for its olive farms and ancient ruins like Marid Castle. Sakakah serves as the administrative center and features a mix of modernity and heritage. The city is one of the oldest inhabited places on the Arabian Peninsula.
- 3. Al-Qassim Province
A central region famous for its date production, especially the annual Date Festival. Buraidah is the province capital and its cultural and economic center, featuring traditional souks and museums. The city is famous for its date production and having one of the largest date markets in the world.
Heritage village of Dhahran al-Janub, an ancient mud-brick settlement in the Asir Region in the southwestern part of the country. The village features over 150 traditional multi-story homes—some reaching up to six stories high.
Photo: Richard Mortel
Officially, Aseer Province; it is located in the southwestern highlands. Asir is known for its temperate climate and lush greenery. Abha, the capital, is known for its unique architecture, traditional markets, and as a gateway to the Asir National Park, Saudi Arabia's first national park was stablished in 1980–1981.
- 5. Eastern Province
The largest province in Saudi Arabia, rich in oil reserves. Dammam, the province capital, is a bustling city and serves as a major hub for industry, commerce, and transportation, with a prominent coastline along the Persian Gulf.
- 6. Hail Province
Known for its desert landscapes and rich history, Ha'il city, the capital, is a cultural center with ancient rock art and forts like Qishlah Fortress. It also hosts festivals celebrating Bedouin traditions.
- 7. Jizan Province
Situated in the southwest near the Red Sea, Jizan features fertile agricultural land and a tropical climate. The Farasan Islands, known for their biodiversity and marine life, are part of this region.
- 8. Madinah Province
This region holds religious significance as the site of Medina, the second holiest city in Islam and the Prophet Muhammad's burial place. It is also known for date farms and historical Islamic landmarks.
There is a reason it is called the "Empty Quarter", (Rub' al Khali). The desert is vast, 500 km north to south and 1000 km west to east, it's much larger than France or three times the size of Texas. Not all desert is sand. Much of Saudi Arabia consists of rocky deserts, gravel plains, and mountains.
Photo: Richard Mortel
Home to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam and the site of the Kaaba in Masjid al-Haram. Millions of Muslims visit annually for the Hajj pilgrimage. The region also includes coastal cities like Jeddah, the second-largest city in the country and Saudi Arabia's primary economic hub, which occupies a strategic location on the Red Sea. The city boasts a deep-rooted history of trade and has an massive logistics infrastructure.
- 10. Najran Province
Located near the Yemeni border, Najran is known for its rich history, including ancient inscriptions and ruins. It is also an agricultural hub with a focus on cultivating dates and fruits.
- 11. Northern Borders Region
This sparsely populated region in the far north features desert plains and is known for its role in connecting Saudi Arabia to Iraq. 'Ar'ar is the administrative capital.
- 12. Riyadh Province
The central region and home to Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. It is a thriving metropolitan area with modern skyscrapers, cultural landmarks, and economic importance as the political hub.
- 13. Tabuk Province
A northwestern region near Jordan, Tabuk is known for its historical significance as a route for ancient trade caravans. It has impressive desert landscapes and modern development projects like NEOM.
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