Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a country in Western Asia occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula. It is the largest country in the Middle East by land area and the birthplace of Islam, home to the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah.
Overview
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, with a land area of approximately 2,149,690 square kilometres, making it the largest country in the Middle East and the fifth-largest in Asia. It is bordered by Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait to the north; Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to the east; Oman to the southeast; and Yemen to the south. It is the only country with coastlines on both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.
Capital and government
The capital and largest city is Riyadh. The Kingdom is an absolute monarchy, governed under the Basic Law of 1992, with the King as head of state and head of government. The country is divided into thirteen administrative regions.
Population
The population was estimated at approximately 32 million in the early 2020s, of whom a substantial minority are expatriate workers. Arabic is the official language and Islam is the state religion.
Economy
Saudi Arabia holds some of the world's largest proven oil reserves and is a leading global exporter of petroleum. Since 2016 the government has pursued Vision 2030, a programme of economic diversification intended to reduce dependence on oil revenue.
Significance
The Kingdom is home to Makkah and Madinah, the two holiest cities of Islam, and hosts the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the largest recurring gathering of people in the world. It is a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and a member of the G20.