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 Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia:
A general View Location :
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is located in the Arabian Peninsula
in south west Asia. Its boundaries are as follows: Kuwait on
the northeast, Iraq and Jordan on the north and the north west;
on the east, the Arabian Gulf, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United
Arab Emirates; on the south the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic
of Yemen; and the west, the Red Sea.
Occupying about 80% of the Arabian Peninsula, the Kingdom's
area is 2,250,000 square Kilometers. Its western coast stretches
for 1,800 kilometers, and its eastern coast for 500 kilometers.
The Kingdom's terrain ranges from high mountainous areas in
the south western region to wide valleys in Najd. The Kingdom
comprises the largest desert in the world, covering an area
of 600,000 square kilometers.
The plain of the Western Coasts varies in width from 15 to 40
kilometers; it gives way to a mountainous range, stretching
from Yemen to Jordan with peaks as high as 6000 feet. In the
south and south-east of the country stretches the Rub al-khali
(the empty quarter), a vast and hostile area of shifting sands.
The Najd plateau, covering the northeast area, is made up of
shallow valleys and ridge formations, and is mostly covered
by sand. To the north is Nafud, a region without rain which
can hardly sustain any form of life.
Economy :
Saudi Arabia's GDP in 1999 was estimated at 521 billions Saudi
Riyals ($139). The oil constituted 36% of GDP.Actual economic
growth in 1999 was about 3% . The Kingdom's export volume is
about 227 billion Saudi Riyals where as its import volume is
108 billion Saudi Riyals.
"Ahlan Wasahlan" :
This Arabic phrase, meaning "Welcome", epitomizes an important
aspect of Saudi social life, namely, hospitality and generosity.
Visa:
Entry to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requires one to have a
visa. Visas should be obtained in advance through specific applications
to embassies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of
Petroleum and Mineral Resources will be happy to assist. It
will send the names of the official delegates and those who
wish to attend to the respective Saudi embassies. Please contact
the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources for more information
and any special requests.
Language
:
The official language in the Kingdom is Arabic. Those
with training in Arabic will find it easier to move around and
will have a chance to practice their Arabic. However, most merchants
and business people do understand English. The Forum's Languages
will be the United Nation's official languages.
National Day :
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates its national day on the
first of Libra (September 23) each year to commemorate the unification
and foundation of the Kingdom by His Majesty, the late King
Abdul Aziz Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Saud who declared the establishment
of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1351H (1932). The flag of
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is rectangular; its width equals
two thirds of its length. Its color is green, and right in the
middle, in Thuluth calligraphy, it bears the statement of faith:
"There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger." Directly
below this statement stretches a white Arabian Sword with its
hilt close to the flagstaff. In deference to the statement of
faith printed on the flag, the flag of the Kingdom can never
be lowered or touch the ground or water. The Emblem of the Kingdom
consists of two arched and crossed Arabian swords with a palm
tree towering between them. The two swords denote power, fortification,
and sacrifice, whereas the palm tree symbolizes vitality, growth,
and abundance.
Official
Holidays :
Friday is the weekly day of rest, but government
offices also close on Thursdays. There are also two public holidays
every year: The Eid al-Fitter (about three days long) after
the fasting month of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha (during Hajj)-about
ten days.
Working Hours :
Official working hours generally start at 7:30 a.m. to 2:30
p.m. The working hours of the private sector are divided into
morning and evening periods. The morning period starts about
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The evening one starts from 4:30 to
8:30 p.m.
Currency :
The Saudi Riyal is the basic monetary unit; each Saudi Riyal
consists of 100 Halala. The paper currency disseminations are
one Riyal, 5Riyals, 10Riyals, 20Riyals, 50Riyals, 100Riyals,
200Riyals, and 500Riyals. The coins have five units : 5Halalas,
10Halalas, 25Halalas, 50Halalas, and 100Halalas. Currently,
the US dollar equals SR 3.75.
Banking :
There are ten commercial banks licenced to operate in the kingdom.
These banks have over 1300 branches throughout the kingdom.
They are regulated and supervised by The Saudi Monetary Agency.
Modern Technologies are used in all these branches. Credit Cards
of all kinds are accepted in banks and businesses.
Transportation :
Taxi transportation within the cities is common. Fares are reasonable
and government regulated. Trains can be used between Riyadh
and Dammam on the eastern coast. These have well-equipped, air
conditioned first class coaches. Most international car rental
agencies are available in the major cities of the Kingdom. For
official participants in the Forum, the Ministry of Petroleum
and Mineral Resources will provide two cars: one for the head
of the delegation and the other for the members.
Telecommunication :
Modern communication facilities (including phone, mobile telephone,
telex, fox, internet and courier services) are available. The
telex network is linked to over 150 countries.
Medical Facilities :
A medical center, fully equipped and staffed, will be located
at the Riyadh Inter-Continental Hotel throughout the period
of the Forum. All participants (official and non-official) are
eligible free of charge for the center's medical care.
Climate and Clothing :
During summer, the climate of the Kingdom is hot and dry, but
tends to be temperate over the southern high areas. At the coasts,
the climate is both hot and humid. During winter, the temperature
drops below zero in the middle, east, north and south of the
Country. The weather of Riyadh in November is moderate, yet
it can be deceptively cold. The recorded tempreture for the
month of November averages about 19c (66.5f).
 Carrier
Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) is the official carrier of the
Forum; for reservations and confirmation contact Saudia local
offices or arrange with your agent. Please call:
Tel : +(966)1 477-4444 +(966)1 488-5555
Web Site : www.saudiairlines.com
 Contact
Details
For more information, please contact Dr. Ibrahim Al-Muhanna,
Ministry of petroleum & Mineral Resources,
P.O. Box: 247,Riyadh: 11191,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Phone : +(966)14787777 /
 +(966)14781661
Ext. 6008 –5788 – 6042
Fax : +(966)14760270 /+(966)14783596
E-mail : info@energyforum.gov.sa
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