Saudi Arabia and its Details Like , Capital, GDP, Currency, Geography, Economy, Defence, Culture, Natural resources, Habitat, Sports and all you want to know for UPSC, PSC and Other Competitive Exams.
Saudi Arabia and its Basic Details :
Category
Information
Name of the Country
Saudi Arabia
Capital
Riyadh
Independence Day
September 23, 1932
Major Religions
Islam (Officially Sunni Islam)
Currency
Saudi Riyal (SAR)
Continent
Asia
Top 5 Famous Cities
Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Dammam
Top 10 Famous Persons
King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Ibn Saud, Ibn Baz, Ibn Taymiyyah, King Fahd, Osama bin Laden, King Faisal, Tariq Ramadan, Omaima Al-Najjar
Type of Government
Absolute Monarchy
Main Wars Fought
Gulf War (1990-1991), Yemeni Civil War (2015-Present)
GDP
Approximately $793 billion (2021)
Popular Tourist Places
1. Mecca and Medina, 2. Riyadh, 3. Jeddah, 4. Al Khobar, 5. Abha
Saudi Arabia , Its Capital, Independence Day, Currency, Major religions, Continent, Top 5 Famous cities, Top 10 Famous persons, type of government, main wars fought, GDP, 5 popular tourist places.
Geography of Saudi Arabia :
Category
Information
Geography
Saudi Arabia is primarily a desert country with some mountain ranges, plateaus, and coastal areas.
Area (Square Kilometers)
Approximately 2,150,000 square kilometers
Population
Approximately 35 million people (as of the knowledge cutoff in 2022)
Geography of the Saudi Arabia , Area in Square Kilometers, Population, 5 Main mountain range, 5 main mountain peeks, 5 Main Rivers, Main lakes, Deserts, plateau and Volcanoes, 5 Main Crops and vegetation, Main Beaches, Neighboring countries which share boundaries, Nearby Sea and oceans, length of Coast line, top 5 Natural resources.
Economy of Saudi Arabia :
Field
Information
Economy
Saudi Arabia has a mixed economy, heavily reliant on oil.
Major Industries
1. Oil and Petrochemicals 2. Construction 3. Banking and Finance 4. Agriculture 5. Information Technology
Revenue Sources
1. Oil Exports 2. Taxes 3. Investment Income 4. Non-oil Revenues 5. Fees and Charges
Top 10 Companies
1. Saudi Aramco 2. SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation) 3. Saudi Telecom Company (STC) 4. National Commercial Bank (NCB) 5. Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) 6. Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Company (SAFCO) 7. Al Rajhi Bank 8. Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) 9. Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) 10. Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco)
Per Capita Income
Approximately $32,500 (as of the knowledge cutoff in 2023)
Approximately 323.1 metric tons (as of the knowledge cutoff in 2022)
Economy of the Saudi Arabia , 5 Major Industries, 5 main revenue sources, top 10 Companies, Per capita income, Top 5 imports, Top 5 exports, Total Gold Reserves.
Defence Power of Saudi Arabia :
Category
Details
Defence Policy
Active defense policy
Defence Budget
$83.7 billion
Total Army Personnel
240,000 active personnel
Total Air Force Personnel
70,000 active personnel
Total Navy Personnel
30,000 active personnel
Total Defence Imports
$12.4 billion (2021)
Total Defence Export
$2.2 billion (2021)
Defence of the Saudi Arabia , Size of Defence budget, Total number of Army Personals, Total Number of Air Force Personals, Total number of Navy Personals, Total Defence Imports, Total Defence Export.
Cultural of Saudi Arabia :
Category
Details
Culture
Saudi Arabian Culture
Main Festivals
1. Eid al-Fitr 2. Eid al-Adha 3. Janadriyah Festival 4. Riyadh International Book Fair 5. Saudi National Day
Main Religious Places
1. Masjid al-Haram (The Grand Mosque) 2. Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet’s Mosque) 3. Quba Mosque 4. Qiblatain Mosque 5. Mount Uhud
1. At-Turaif District in ad-Diriyah 2. Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah 3. Rock Art in the Hail Region 4. Madain Saleh (Al-Hijr) 5. Historic Town of Bani Saad
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Sports in Saudi Arabia :
Category
Details
Sports
Sports in Saudi Arabia
National Game
Football (Soccer)
Main Sports
1. Football (Soccer) 2. Athletics 3. Camel Racing 4. Equestrian Sports 5. Basketball
1. Winning the AFC Asian Cup in 1984 2. Participation in multiple Olympic Games 3. Success in international athletics competitions 4. Achievements in camel racing 5. Competing in FIBA Asia Cup
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Natural Habitat and wild life of Saudi Arabia :
Category
Details
Natural Habitat and Wildlife
Desert, mountains, forests, and coastal areas. Diverse wildlife including Arabian leopards, wolves, gazelles, and oryx. Saudi Arabia boasts a diverse array of natural habitats, from the vast deserts of the Empty Quarter to the lush Asir Mountains. The country is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including the majestic Arabian leopard, the elusive sand cat, and the graceful Arabian gazelle.
National Animal
Arabian Camel
National Bird
Saker Falcon
Main Forests
1. Asir National Park 2. AlUla National Park 3. Harrat AlUla
Natural Habitat and wild life of the Saudi Arabia , National Animal, National Bird, Main Forests, Main Recognized Natural Habitats for wild animals.
Biggest in the Saudi Arabia :
Category
Name
Description
Biggest City
Riyadh
Capital and most populous city in Saudi Arabia, with a population of over 7 million people.
Richest Man
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal
Saudi businessman and investor, with a net worth of over $18.0 billion (as of October 26, 2023).
Biggest Company
Saudi Aramco
Largest oil and gas company in the world, with a market capitalization of over $2.4 trillion.
Tallest Building
Kingdom Centre Tower
Tallest building in Saudi Arabia and the fourth-tallest in the world, with a height of 302 meters (990 feet).
Largest Mosque
Masjid al-Haram
Largest mosque in the world, located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It can accommodate up to 4 million pilgrims during Hajj.
Biggest Bridge
King Fahd Causeway
Longest bridge in the Middle East, connecting Saudi Arabia with the island nation of Bahrain. It spans 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) across the Persian Gulf.
Tallest Mountain
Jabal Sawda
Highest mountain in Saudi Arabia, located in the Asir Mountains. It has a peak elevation of 3,133 meters (10,279 feet).
Longest River
Wadi Hanifah
Longest river in Saudi Arabia, flowing for over 120 kilometers (75 miles) through Riyadh.
Biggest Forest
Asir National Park
Largest protected area in Saudi Arabia, covering over 10,000 square kilometers (3,861 square miles). It boasts diverse landscapes, including juniper forests, valleys, and mountains.
Largest Salt Lake
Umm Sabkha
Largest salt lake in Saudi Arabia, located in the eastern part of the country. It covers an area of over 7,000 square kilometers (2,703 square miles).
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Brief History Of Saudi Arabia :
A brief history of this country, covering its ancient, medieval, modern, and recent history:
Ancient Saudi Arabia:
The history of this country dates back to ancient times when it was home to various Arabian tribes.
In the 7th century, Islam was founded in the Arabian Peninsula, and this region played a significant role in the spread of the religion.
The cities of Mecca and Medina became central to Islamic history as the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the locations of important Islamic sites.
Medieval Period:
In the 18th century, the Al Saud family, led by Muhammad ibn Saud, formed an alliance with the religious leader Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. This alliance laid the foundation for the modern Saudi state.
The early 19th century saw the establishment of the First Saudi State, which briefly unified much of the Arabian Peninsula under the Al Saud rule.
The Ottomans defeated the First Saudi State in the 19th century, leading to a period of Ottoman rule in the region.
Modern Era:
In the early 20th century, Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, commonly known as Ibn Saud, embarked on a campaign to unify the Arabian Peninsula. He succeeded in establishing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.
The discovery of oil in the 1930s transformed this country’s economy and positioned it as a major player in the global oil industry.
Saudi Arabia became an ally of Western countries, particularly the United States, due to its vast oil reserves.
The late 20th century saw significant modernization efforts, including the development of infrastructure, education, and healthcare systems.
Recent History:
In 2015, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ascended to the throne and initiated a series of economic and social reforms, known as “Vision 2030,” aimed at reducing the country’s dependency on oil and diversifying its economy.
In 2017, this country lifted the ban on women driving, marking a significant social change.
The country has played a role in regional politics and conflicts, including the ongoing conflict in Yemen and diplomatic disputes with neighboring countries like Qatar.
In 2021, Saudi Arabia celebrated its 91st National Day, highlighting its progress and cultural heritage.
Saudi Arabia’s history is rich and complex, shaped by its ancient roots, Islamic heritage, political developments, and economic transformation over the centuries. Today, it stands as a nation at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, striving for socio-economic reforms and a diversified future.
Saudi Arabia and its Details for UPSC
