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Communications

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Coast Guard, Frontier Forces, Public Security Force

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

exchange rate conversion - $12.1 billion, 8.5% of GDP (1996)

Manpower availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 5,405,828 males fit for military service: 3,005,900 males reach military age (18) annually: 165,010 (1996 est.)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 43, FM 13, shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

5 million (1993 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

modern system domestic: extensive microwave radio relay and coaxial and fiber-optic cable systems international: 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)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

1.46 million (1993)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

Televisions [time series]

4.5 million (1993 est.) Defense

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk

Budget [time series]

revenues: $35.1 billion expenditures: $40 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Saudi riyal (SR) = 100 halalah

Economic aid [time series]

donor: pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon

Economic overview [time series]

This is a well-to-do oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. About 40% of GDP comes from the private sector. Economic (as well as political) ties with the US are especially strong. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 35% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world (26% of the proved total), ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. For the 1990s the government intends to bring its budget, which has been in deficit since 1983, back into balance, and to encourage private economic activity. Roughly four million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and banking sectors. For over a decade, Saudi Arabia's domestic and international outlays have outstripped its income, and the government has cut its foreign assistance and is beginning to rein in domestic programs. For 1996, the country looks to its policies of maintaining moderate fiscal reforms, restraining public spending, and encouraging non-oil exports.

Electricity [time series]

capacity: 17,550,000 kW production: 46 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,430 kWh (1993)

Exchange rates [time series]

Saudi riyals (SR) per US$1 - 3.7450 (fixed rate since late 1986)

Exports [time series]

$41.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 90% partners: US 17%, Japan 17%, South Korea 8%, Singapore 7%, France 5% (1994)

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$18.9 billion (December 1989 est., includes short-term trade credits)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $189.3 billion (1995 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 9% industry: 50% services: 41% (1994 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP per capita) [time series]

$10,100 (1995 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP real growth rate) [time series]

0% (1995 est.)

Illicit drugs [time series]

death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin and cocaine

Imports [time series]

$21.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, motor vehicles, textiles partners: US 21%, Japan 12%, UK 8%, Germany 8%, Italy 5% (1994)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

17% (1994 est.)

Industries [time series]

crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, two small steel-rolling mills, construction, fertilizer, plastics

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

5% (1995 est.)

Labor force [time series]

6 million-7 million by occupation: government 40%, industry, construction, and oil 25%, services 30%, agriculture 5%

Unemployment rate [time series]

6.5% (1992 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total area: 1,960,582 sq km land area: 1,960,582 sq km comparative area: slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US

Climate [time series]

harsh, dry desert with great extremes of temperature

Coastline [time series]

2,640 km

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

current issues: 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 natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates [time series]

25 00 N, 45 00 E

Geography - note (Geographic note) [time series]

extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

large section of boundary with Yemen not defined; location and status of boundary with UAE is not final, defacto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; Kuwaiti ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands is disputed by Saudi Arabia; 1965 boundary with Qatar, renegotiated and revised in 1992, but not official depiction

Irrigated land [time series]

4,350 sq km (1989 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 4,415 km border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 728 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 39% forest and woodland: 1% other: 59%

Location [time series]

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen

Map references [time series]

Middle East

Maritime claims [time series]

contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

Terrain [time series]

mostly uninhabited, sandy desert lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

13 provinces (mintaqah, singular - mintaqat); Al Bahah, Al Hudud Ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Hail, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk

Capital [time series]

Riyadh

Constitution [time series]

none; governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law)

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation in US) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan 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

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state and head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982) is an absolute monarch; Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the king, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers is dominated by royal family members appointed by the king

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[966] (1) 488-7360 consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

Flag [time series]

green with large white Arabic script (that may be 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); green is the traditional color of Islam

Independence [time series]

23 September 1932 (unification)

International organization participation [time series]

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Council of Justice

Legal system [time series]

based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

a consultative council composed of 60 members and a chairman who are appointed by the king for a term of four years

Country name (Name of country) [time series]

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

National holiday [time series]

Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

none allowed

Suffrage [time series]

none

Government type (Type of government) [time series]

monarchy

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond E. MABUS, Jr. 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

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 43% (male 4,228,660; female 4,103,622) 15-64 years: 55% (male 6,393,384; female 4,240,535) 65 years and over: 2% (male 227,789; female 215,068) (July 1996 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

38.32 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate [time series]

5.36 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

46.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 69 years male: 67.25 years female: 70.84 years (1996 est.)

Literacy [time series]

age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 62.8% male: 71.5% female: 50.2%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Saudi(s) adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian

Net migration rate [time series]

1.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population [time series]

19,409,058 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

3.45% (1996 est.)

Religions [time series]

Muslim 100%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.51 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female all ages: 1.27 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

6.45 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

total: 175 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 30 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 11 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 22 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 with paved runways under 914 m: 13 with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 66 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 24 (1995 est.)

Heliports [time series]

4 (1995 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 151,532 km paved: 60,613 km unpaved: 90,919 km (1992 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 76 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 944,946 GRT/1,322,167 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 13, chemical tanker 5, container 3, liquefied gas tanker 1, livestock carrier 4, oil tanker 22, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13, short-sea passenger 9 (1995 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 6,400 km; petroleum products 150 km; natural gas 2,200 km (includes natural gas liquids 1,600 km)

Ports [time series]

Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh, Ra's al Khafji, Al Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah

Railways [time series]

total: 1,390 km standard gauge: 1,390 km 1.435-m gauge (448 km double track) (1992)