Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

42 (2001)

Internet country code [time series]

.sa

Internet users [time series]

570,000 (2001)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios [time series]

6.25 million (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: modern system domestic: extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, 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 - main lines in use) [time series]

3.1 million (1998)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

1 million note: in 1998, the government contracted for the installation of 575,000 additional Group Speciale Mobile (GSM) cellular telephone lines over 15 months to raise the total number of subscribers to more than one million; Riyadh planned to further expand the GSM system in 1999 by adding an additional one million lines (1998)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

117 (1997)

Televisions [time series]

5.1 million (1997)

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $42 billion expenditures: $54 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Saudi riyal (SAR)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

SAR

Debt - external [time series]

$23.8 billion (2001 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - donor) [time series]

pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon; since 1993, Saudi Arabia has committed $208 million for assistance to the Palestinians; pledged $240 million to development in Afghanistan

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

This is an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world (26% of the proved reserves), ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 25% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 4 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service sectors. Riyadh expects to have a budget deficit in 2002, in part because of increased spending for education and other social programs. The government in 1999 announced plans to begin privatizing the electricity companies, which follows the ongoing privatization of the telecommunications company. The government is expected to continue calling for private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population. Shortages of water and rapid population growth will constrain government efforts to increase self-sufficiency in agricultural products.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

114.86 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2000)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2000)

Electricity - production [time series]

123.5 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2000) nuclear: 0%

Exchange rates [time series]

Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.7450 (fixed rate since June 1986)

Exports [time series]

$66.9 billion f.o.b. (2001)

Exports - commodities [time series]

petroleum and petroleum products 90%

Exports - partners [time series]

US 17.4%, Japan 17.3%, South Korea 11.7%, Singapore 5.3%, India (2000)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $241 billion (2001 est.)

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

agriculture: 7% industry: 48% services: 45% (2000 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $10,600 (2001 est.)

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

1.6% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$29.7 billion f.o.b. (2001)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles

Imports - partners [time series]

US 21.1%, Japan 9.4%, Germany 7.4%, UK 7.3% (2000)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1% (1997 est.)

Industries [time series]

crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, construction, fertilizer, plastics

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.7% (2001)

Labor force [time series]

7 million note: 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 12%, industry 25%, services 63% (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Area [time series]

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

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US

Climate [time series]

harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes

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: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, 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]

16,200 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 4,431 km border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 1.72% permanent crops: 0.06% other: 98.22% (1998 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 (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk

Capital [time series]

Riyadh

Constitution [time series]

governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. JORDAN 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 FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360 consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

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 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800

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 monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government elections: none; the monarch is hereditary 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 monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes many royal family members

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 of the Kingdom)

International organization participation [time series]

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

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 (90 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms)

National holiday [time series]

Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

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

none allowed

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

none

Suffrage [time series]

none

Background [time series]

In 1902 Abd al-Aziz Ibn SAUD captured Riyadh and set out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian Peninsula. In the 1930s, the discovery of oil transformed the country. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all major governmental concerns.

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

Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary)

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$18.3 billion (FY00)

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

13% (FY00)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 6,007,635 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 3,359,849 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

17 years of age (2002 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 233,402 (2002 est.)

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 42.4% (male 5,086,541; female 4,883,942) 15-64 years: 54.8% (male 7,493,304; female 5,396,985) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 362,780; female 289,778) (2002 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

37.25 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Death rate [time series]

5.86 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.01% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

NA

Infant mortality rate [time series]

49.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 68.4 years female: 70.2 years (2002 est.) male: 66.7 years

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 78% male: 84.2% female: 69.5% (2002 est.)

Nationality [time series]

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

Net migration rate [time series]

1.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Population [time series]

23,513,330 note: includes 5,360,526 non-nationals (July 2002 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

3.27% (2002 est.)

Religions [time series]

Muslim 100%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.39 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.25 male(s)/female total population: 1.22 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

6.21 children born/woman (2002 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

demarcation of delimited boundary with Yemen involves nomadic tribal affiliations; because details of 1974 and 1977 treaties have not been made public, the exact location of the Saudi Arabia-UAE boundary is unknown and status is considered de facto

Illicit drugs [time series]

death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin, cocaine, and hashish

Airports [time series]

209 (2001)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 71 70 over 3,047 m: 31 31 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 11 914 to 1,523 m: 2 3 under 914 m: 2 2 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 23

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 138 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 79 under 914 m: 13 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 39

Heliports [time series]

5 (2002)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 146,524 km paved: 44,104 km unpaved: 102,420 km (1997 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 71 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,071,315 GRT/1,412,125 DWT ships by type: cargo 11, chemical tanker 10, container 4, livestock carrier 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 11, short-sea passenger 8 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Egypt 3, Finland 1, Greece 3, Kuwait 1, Sudan 1, United Arab Emirates 1, United Kingdom 3 (2002 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, Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Madinat Yanbu' al Sinaiyah

Railways [time series]

total: 1,392 km standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (724 km are double-tracked) (2001)

Waterways [time series]

none