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Middle East and North Africa
Saudi Arabia |
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Last reviewed: 09 November 2011
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Country information
Area: 2.15 million square kilometres
Population: 25,700 000 (UN, 2009)
Capital City: Riyadh
People: Arabs; seven million of the total population are foreign workers.
Languages: The official language is Arabic, although English is widely spoken in business circles.
Religion: Islam; about 90% of the Muslim population is Sunni and 10% is Shi’a. Publicly practising any other religion is illegal
Currency: Saudi Riyal (SR)
Major political parties: Political parties are not permitted
Government: Islamic Absolute Monarchy
Head of State and Prime Minister: King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
First Deputy Prime Minister: HRH Crown Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
Second Deputy Prime Minister: Vacant
Foreign Minister: HRH Prince Saud al Faisal bin Abdul Aziz
Membership of international groups/organisations: World Trade Organisation, Arab League, Gulf Co-operation Council, Organisation of the Islamic Conference and United Nations and Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, IMF and World Bank.
Flag: The flag of Saudi Arabia bears the Muslim creed: 'There is no God but God: Muhammad is the Messenger of God.' The official emblem is a date palm, representing vitality and growth, and two crossed swords, symbolising justice and strength rooted in faith.
HEALTH/TRAVEL
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office recommends visitors check that their immunisations for polio, tetanus, and hepatitis are up-to-date before visiting Saudi Arabia.
There have been cases of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in south-western Saudi Arabia (mainly in the Jizan area) and also (but only in Jizan itself) cerebral malaria. The outbreaks of cerebral malaria are local and do not affect Jeddah or any other area of the country. Visitors to Jizan Province should take appropriate precautions.
Hajj and Umrah
During the period of Hajj and Umrah, visa requirements for Saudi Arabia require pilgrims to have a valid certificate of vaccination against the ACWY strains of meningitis. Visitors may be refused entry without this certificate. For further details and requirements, please see Travel Advice for Saudi Arabia and Hajj pilgrims.
