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]

80

Televisions [time series]

4.5 million (1993 est.)

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues : $43.7 billion expenditures: $48.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Saudi riyal (SR) = 100 halalah

Debt - external [time series]

$NA

Economic aid [time series]

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

Economic overview (Economy - 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 service 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. A substantial rise in oil prices was the key to a successful 1996. For 1997, the country looks to its policies of maintaining moderate fiscal reforms, restraining public spending, and encouraging non-oil exports.

Electricity - capacity [time series]

20.9 million kW (1994)

Electricity - consumption per capita [time series]

3,228 kWh (1995 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

62.75 billion kWh (1994)

Exchange rates [time series]

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

Exports [time series]

total value: $53.1 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 90% partners: Japan 18%, US 15%, South Korea 10%, Singapore 7%, France 4% (1995 est.)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $205.6 billion (1996 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]

purchasing power parity - $10,600 (1996 est.)

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

6% (1996 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value : $25.5 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles partners: US 21%, UK 9%, Germany 8%, Japan 8%, Switzerland 5%, France 5% (1995 est.)

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) (Inflation rate - consumer price index) [time series]

1% (1996 est.)

Labor force [time series]

6 million-7 million by occupation: government 40%, industry, construction, and oil 25%, services 30%, agriculture 5% note: 35.87% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1997 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

6.5% (1992 est.)

Area [time series]

total: 1,960,582 sq km land: 1,960,582 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US

Climate [time series]

harsh, dry desert with great extremes of temperature

Coastline [time series]

2,640 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

25 00 N, 45 00 E

Geography - 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

Irrigated land [time series]

4,350 sq km (1993 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: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 56% forests and woodland: 1% other: 41% (1993 est.)

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 hazards [time series]

frequent sand and dust storms

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

Terrain [time series]

mostly uninhabited, sandy desert

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

Constitution [time series]

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

Country name [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

Data code [time series]

SA

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Wyche FOWLER, 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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan bin 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: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); 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); note - the king is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); 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); note - the king is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the king and includes many royal family members elections: none; the king is an absolute monarch

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

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

Flag (Flag description) [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

Government type [time series]

monarchy

Independence [time series]

23 September 1932 (unification)

International organization participation [time series]

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BIS (pending member), CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, 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 (60 members and a chairman appointed by the king for four-year terms)

Capital (National capital) [time series]

Riyadh

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

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

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

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$13.3 billion (1996 budget)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

10% (1996); note - based on 1996 budget figure

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49 : 5,498,492 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males: 3,057,533 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males : 176,060 (1997 est.)

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 43% (male 4,389,113; female 4,252,034) 15-64 years: 55% (male 6,561,725; female 4,410,589) 65 years and over: 2% (male 246,894; female 227,610) (July 1997 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

37.94 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate [time series]

5.18 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

43.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 69.51 years male: 67.72 years female: 71.4 years (1997 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Nationality [time series]

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

Net migration rate [time series]

1.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Population [time series]

20,087,965 (July 1997 est.) note : includes 5,164,790 non-nationals (July 1997 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

3.42% (1997 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: 1.49 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.08 male(s)/female total population: 1.26 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

6.41 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

large section of boundary with Yemen not defined; location and status of boundary with UAE is not final, de facto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; Kuwaiti ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands is disputed by Saudi Arabia; in 1996, agreed with Qatar to demarcate border per 1992 accord; that process is ongoing

Illicit drugs [time series]

death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin and cocaine SENEGAL

Airports [time series]

174 (1996 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total : 79 over 3,047 m: 30 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m : 3 under 914 m: 13 (1996 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 95 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 66 914 to 1,523 m : 24 (1996 est.)

Heliports [time series]

4 (1996 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 159,000 km paved: 67,893 km unpaved: 91,107 km (1995 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total : 79 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 998,503 GRT/1,417,265 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 12, chemical tanker 7, container 3, liquefied gas tanker 1, livestock carrier 5, oil tanker 24, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 12, short-sea passenger 9 (1996 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 (Ports and harbors) [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)