Discover Fascinating Saudi Arabia Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia

Background

๐ŸŒ Welcome to Saudi Arabia! This fascinating country is not only the birthplace of Islam but also the proud home of its two holiest shrines located in the cities of Mecca and Medina. ๐Ÿ•‹โœจ The modern state of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman AL SAUD (commonly known as Ibn Saud) after an impressive 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. ๐Ÿš€

๐Ÿ’ง But that's not all! Saudi Arabia reigns as a leading producer of oil and natural gas and as of 2015, it boasted a substantial 16% of the world's proven oil reserves. This makes the country a vital player in the global energy market! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ฐ

Year Saudi Arabia was founded

1932

Duration of unification campaign

30 years

Percentage of worldโ€™s proven oil reserves held by Saudi Arabia

16%

Saudi Arabia's Global Oil Reserves

Exports - commodities

Saudi Arabia's exports are a vital part of its economy, showcasing a variety of commodities. ๐ŸŒ In 2022, the major exports included crude petroleum, refined petroleum, ethylene polymers, plastics, and fertilizers. Just imagine how these products play a role not just in the economy, but also in everyday items we use! ๐Ÿ’ผโœจ Each of these items contributes to the global market, making Saudi Arabia an important player in international trade.

Top Export Commodities in 2022

Crude Petroleum, Refined Petroleum, Ethylene Polymers, Plastics, Fertilizers

Exports - partners

Saudi Arabia has a diverse range of export partners! ๐ŸŒ In 2022, the following countries were key players in trade with Saudi Arabia:

  • China: 19% ๐Ÿ‰
  • India: 13% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • Japan: 10% ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
  • South Korea: 10% ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
  • United States: 7% ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ

This chart helps us visualize the export partners and how much each contributes to Saudi Arabia's overall exports. ๐Ÿ“Š

Total Export Contribution from Top 5 Partners

59%

Export Partners of Saudi Arabia (2022)

Capital

๐Ÿ™๏ธ The bustling capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh! ๐ŸŒŸ It's a vibrant city that mixes modernity with rich tradition, and it's known for its impressive skyscrapers and cultural landmarks. As the heart of the country, Riyadh plays a crucial role in politics, economics, and culture! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Imports - commodities

Saudi Arabia brings in a variety of exciting goods from around the world! ๐Ÿš—๐Ÿ“ก๐Ÿ‘— Here are some of the most notable imports in 2022:

  • Cars: Many people love to drive, and cars are a popular choice!
  • Broadcasting Equipment: Keeping up with the latest news and entertainment is important.
  • Garments: Fashion is in, and Saudi Arabia imports clothing to stay stylish! ๐Ÿ‘—
  • Gold: A shiny favorite, especially for jewelry and investments! ๐Ÿ’ฐ
  • Refined Petroleum: With a large oil industry, this is a major import too!

Isn't it fascinating to see the variety of what flows into the country? ๐ŸŒ

Number of commodities imported

5

Climate

๐ŸŒต Welcome to Saudi Arabia, where the climate is super exciting and extreme! It's a harsh, dry desert that experiences great temperature changes. Imagine scorching hot days and cooler nights! ๐ŸŒžโ„๏ธ This means you have to be ready for anything when you step outside. Whether you're exploring the dunes or enjoying a traditional meal, the desert weather is always a big part of the adventure!

Climate Description

harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes

Executive branch

Executive Branch of Saudi Arabia ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ

Saudi Arabia's executive branch is led by two key figures:

Chief of State:

  • King Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud has been the chief of state since January 23, 2015. ๐Ÿ‘‘

Head of Government:

  • Crown Prince and Prime Minister Muhammad bin Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud took office on September 27, 2022. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ

With strong leadership at the top, Saudi Arabia continues to be an influential nation in the region and beyond!

Chief of State Tenure Start

January 23, 2015

Head of Government Tenure Start

September 27, 2022

Legislative branch

In Saudi Arabia, the legislative branch is represented by the unicameral Shura Council, which has a total of 150 seats. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ This means there's one legislative body that plays a crucial role in advising the king and discussing national issues. The Shura Council doesn't pass laws as in many other countries, but it does help shape the country's policies and proposals! ๐Ÿ“œ

Number of seats in the Shura Council

150

Natural resources

Saudi Arabia is rich in natural resources that play a significant role in its economy! ๐ŸŒ Here are some of the key resources found in the country:

  • Petroleum: This is the most important resource and makes Saudi Arabia famous worldwide! ๐Ÿš€
  • Natural Gas: Alongside petroleum, natural gas is also abundant and used for energy production. ๐Ÿ”‹
  • Iron Ore: Essential for steel production, iron ore is another valuable resource. ๐Ÿ—๏ธ
  • Gold: Gold mining contributes to the country's wealth, with shiny treasures extracted from the earth! ๐Ÿ’ฐ
  • Copper: Valuable for electrical wiring and plumbing, copper is another precious resource mined in Saudi Arabia. ๐Ÿ”Œ

These resources not only boost the economy but also make Saudi Arabia a pivotal player in global markets.

Key Natural Resources

Petroleum, Natural Gas, Iron Ore, Gold, Copper

Economic Overview

Saudi Arabia has an exciting economy! ๐ŸŒŸ It's a high-income, oil-based economy in the Middle East and leads the organization of oil-producing nations called OPEC. The country is working hard to diversify its economy beyond just oil. However, there are some challenges they face: per-capita incomes are declining ๐Ÿ“‰, which means that the income per person in Saudi Arabia is getting lower.

The labor force is quite young ๐Ÿ‘ถ, which is great for future growth, but there are some important skills missing in the workforce (key human capital gaps). There's also a lot of bureaucracy, and the country is dealing with issues like increasing corruption ๐Ÿšจ and substantial poverty. There's a need for more innovation ๐Ÿ’ก in their economy to thrive in todayโ€™s world.

Economic Type

High-income, oil-based

OPEC Membership

Leader

Labor Force Age

Young

Government type

In Saudi Arabia, the government is an absolute monarchy ๐Ÿ‘‘. This means that one ruler, often a king, has complete control over the government and its decisions without any limits from laws or a constitution. In an absolute monarchy, the monarch's decrees are considered law, and they usually have the final say in all matters of state. Citizens have limited political freedoms, and their roles are mainly to support the decisions made by the king.

Government Type

Absolute Monarchy

Ethnic groups

In Saudi Arabia, the people come from two major ethnic groups! ๐ŸŒโœจ The largest group is Arabs, making up a whopping 90% of the population. The second group is Afro-Asians, who represent 10%. This gives Saudi Arabia a vibrant mix of cultures and traditions!

Percentage of Arabs in Saudi Arabia

90%

Percentage of Afro-Asians in Saudi Arabia

10%

Ethnic Groups in Saudi Arabia

Religions

Religion in Saudi Arabia ๐ŸŒโœจ

Saudi Arabia is a country where Islam is not just a religion, but a way of life! The majority of its citizens, about 85-90%, are Sunni Muslims. ๐Ÿ•Œ Thereโ€™s also a smaller portion of the population, around 10-12%, who practice as Shia Muslims.

But thatโ€™s not all! There are also other religions present in Saudi Arabia, including Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh. Each adds its unique touch to the cultural tapestry of the nation.

Isn't it fascinating to learn how diverse beliefs coexist in certain areas? ๐ŸŒˆ

Percentage of Sunni Muslims

85-90%

Percentage of Shia Muslims

10-12%

Religious Composition in Saudi Arabia

Languages

๐ŸŒ In Saudi Arabia, Arabic is the official language! It's not just a way to communicate; it's a huge part of the culture and identity of the country. From poetry to daily conversations, Arabic weaves through the lives of the people in vibrant and meaningful ways. ๐Ÿ•Œโœจ

Official Language

Arabic

Imports - partners

๐ŸŒ Imports - Partners of Saudi Arabia ๐Ÿ›ณ๏ธ

In 2022, Saudi Arabia had several key partners in trade. Here's how the imports break down by country:

  • China: 22% ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • United Arab Emirates: 16% ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช
  • United States: 6% ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
  • India: 6% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • Germany: 4% ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช

These percentages show us who Saudi Arabia relies on for imports. Isn't it interesting to see how these countries contribute to Saudi Arabia's economy? ๐Ÿ“Š

Total Import Percentage from Top Partners

54%

Saudi Arabia's Import Partners (2022)

Population

๐ŸŒ Saudi Arabia is home to a total population of 36,544,431 people! That's a whole lot of vibrant lives and cultures! ๐Ÿ•Œโœจ

Total Population of Saudi Arabia

36,544,431

Area

โœจ Let's talk about the area of Saudi Arabia! ๐Ÿœ๏ธ The total land area of this fascinating country is a whopping 2,149,690 sq km! To put that into perspective, it's all land, with 0 sq km of water. That's right, all those vast deserts and beautiful landscapes come without any lakes or rivers taking up space! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ง

Total Area

2,149,690 sq km

Land Area

2,149,690 sq km

Water Area

0 sq km

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐Ÿ“ˆ The Real GDP (purchasing power parity) of Saudi Arabia shows a healthy growth trend! Here are the estimated figures for the last three years:

  • 2021: $1.717 trillion
  • 2022: $1.845 trillion
  • 2023: $1.831 trillion

It's interesting to see how the economy is evolving year by year! ๐ŸŒŸ

2023 Estimated GDP

$1.831 trillion

2022 Estimated GDP

$1.845 trillion

2021 Estimated GDP

$1.717 trillion

Real GDP Growth in Saudi Arabia (PPP)

Real GDP per capita

๐ŸŒŸ Let's take a closer look at Saudi Arabia's Real GDP per capita! This is an important number that tells us how much money, on average, each person in the country has. Here are the estimates for the last three years:

  • 2021: $47,800
  • 2022: $50,700
  • 2023: $49,600

Isn't it interesting to see how the numbers change? This data helps us understand the economic growth and living standards in Saudi Arabia! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Estimated Real GDP per Capita in 2021

$47,800

Estimated Real GDP per Capita in 2022

$50,700

Estimated Real GDP per Capita in 2023

$49,600

Real GDP per Capita in Saudi Arabia (2021-2023)

Imports

Saudi Arabia is a big player in global trade! ๐ŸŒ In 2023, the country is estimated to have imported a whopping $291.565 billion worth of goods. ๐Ÿ“ฆ That's a jump from $258.213 billion in 2022 and an increase from $213.516 billion in 2021! ๐Ÿ“ˆ Let's take a closer look at how their imports have grown over the years.

Imports in 2021

213.516 billion USD

Imports in 2022

258.213 billion USD

Imports in 2023

291.565 billion USD

Saudi Arabia Imports Over Three Years

Exports

Saudi Arabia's exports have seen some big changes in the last few years! ๐Ÿ“ˆ Let's take a look at how the numbers stack up:

  • In 2021, exports were $286.502 billion.
  • Then in 2022, they jumped to $445.881 billion! ๐Ÿš€ Wow, that's a huge increase!
  • In 2023, the estimated exports are $370.974 billion.

Isn't it amazing to see how trade can fluctuate? ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ“Š

Exports in 2021

286.502

Exports in 2022

445.881

Estimated exports in 2023

370.974

Saudi Arabia Exports Over the Years

Population growth rate

๐ŸŒ Saudi Arabia's Population Growth Rate ๐ŸŒ
As we look into the future, Saudi Arabia's estimated population growth rate for 2024 is 1.68%! This means that the number of people living in this beautiful country is expected to grow steadily. Can you imagine how the streets, communities, and culture will evolve as more people join in? ๐Ÿ“ˆโœจ

Population Growth Rate (2024 est.)

1.68%