Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, the political and financial centre of the Kingdom, and one of the fastest-growing cities in the Middle East.
Overview
Riyadh (Arabic: الرياض, "the gardens") is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is the seat of the central government and the country's principal commercial and financial centre.
Geography
Riyadh lies in the centre of the Arabian Peninsula on the Najd plateau, at an elevation of about 600 metres. The city sits in a broad wadi and is surrounded by desert.
History
Riyadh was a small oasis settlement until it was captured by Ibn Saud in 1902, an event that began the unification of the Kingdom. It was proclaimed the capital of the newly unified Saudi Arabia in 1932 and has grown from a town of a few tens of thousands to a metropolis of several million.
Economy
Riyadh is the headquarters of the central government, the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Aramco's principal offices and the largest concentration of corporate headquarters in the Kingdom. The King Abdullah Financial District is a major new business centre.
Landmarks
The city contains the Masmak Fortress, the historic Diriyah district (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) on its north-western edge, the Kingdom Centre and Al Faisaliah towers, and the National Museum of Saudi Arabia.