Saudi Arabia

World Atlas: Asia > Saudi Arabia

QUICK FACTS: Saudi Arabia

Country (long form)
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Capital
Riyadh

Total Area
756,984.94 sq mi
1,960,582.00 sq km
(slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US)

Population
22,023,506 (July 2000 est.)

Estimated Population in 2050
91,112,265

Languages
Arabic

Literacy
62.8% total, 71.5% male, 50.2% female (1995 est.)

Religions
Muslim 100%

Life Expectancy
66.11 male, 69.51 female (2000 est.)

Government Type
monarchy

Currency
1 Saudi riyal (SR) = 100 halalah

GDP (per capita)
$9,000 (1999 est.)

Labor Force (by occupation)
agriculture 12%, industry 25%, services 63% (1999 est.)

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

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

Arable Land
2%

Exports
petroleum and petroleum products 90%

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

Natural Resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

Current Environmental 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

Telephones (main lines in use)
3.1 million (1998)

Telephones (mobile cellular)
1 million

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
6 (1999)

(U.S. Government sources)

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