Interesting Facts About Saudi Arabia

Interesting facts about Saudi Arabia

Birthplace of Islam – Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam, home to the religion’s two holiest cities: Mecca and Medina. Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world travel there for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

World’s Largest Sand Desert – The country is home to the Rub' al Khali or Empty Quarter, the largest continuous sand desert in the world, stretching across the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula.

Oil-Rich Nation – Saudi Arabia has one of the largest oil reserves globally and is a founding member of OPEC. Its economy has historically been driven by petroleum exports.

Massive Economic Transformation – Under its Vision 2030 plan, Saudi Arabia is diversifying its economy by investing in tourism, entertainment, tech, and renewable energy.

Neom – The Futuristic City – The country is developing Neom, a $500+ billion smart city project that includes The Line, a linear urban development with no cars and zero carbon emissions.

No Rivers, but Desalination Plants – Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries in the world with no permanent rivers. It relies heavily on desalination and underground aquifers for water.

Unique Cultural Heritage – Saudi culture blends Arab, Islamic, Bedouin, and tribal traditions. Traditional dress, music, and poetry remain central to daily life, especially nabati poetry and the ardha sword dance.

Arabic is the Official Language – Modern Standard Arabic is used officially, but many regional dialects exist. English is also widely spoken in business and education.

Recent Opening to Tourism – For decades, the country was closed to non-religious tourism, but as of 2019, Saudi Arabia began issuing tourist visas, opening access to its historic and natural sites.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Saudi Arabia is home to several UNESCO sites, including Al-Hijr (Madain Salih), the first UNESCO site in the country, and the historic district of Jeddah.