Saudi Arabia: Facts And Photos You Probably Want To See
Saudi Arabia is an oil-rich powerhouse that has more than just the two most religious sites in the Islam faith. It is a country that is currently engaged in a proxy war with Iran and it is country that is often in the spotlight when it comes to women’s rights. Here is a collection of pictures and facts from Saudi Arabia that you might want to see.
At this point in time, Saudi Arabia is in a precarious position. The position that she finds herself in is not just based on her geographical location, but on her political standing too. Saudi Arabia has had a number of conflicts waging on her borders, like the civil war in Yemen to the south, and the ISIS infiltration in Iraq to the north. But Saudi Arabia also finds itself at war with Iran, but not a regular war. The two Middle East powerhouses are involved in a proxy war that could potentially blow out into a massive war. The Iranian regime is backed up by Russia, whereas the Saudis have the United States. We can all be glad that neither side has nuclear arms, although they might not be far from them.
But taking a side step from war and nuclear worries, let’s talk a bit more about Saudi Arabia. This country has been hot in the news for some time now and so many people don’t know why. It is a country surrounded mostly by desert, but it does have access to the sea. In fact it has created the world’s biggest desalination plant which refines and purifies saltwater brought in from the ocean. There are camels in Saudi Arabia, but that’s no surprise. These camels can be bought, they can be eaten, and they can even be used at the races just like race horses. There’s no alcohol, or at least it’s banned, but what is the penalty for someone who buys, sells or drinks liquor? These are all questions that this article will help you answer.
They say that a picture speaks a thousand words, looking through this gallery might speak more than just a thousand. There are so many facts about Saudi Arabia that we don’t know about, but perhaps it’s high time we got ourselves educated. Let’s go.
Oil Wells
The Middle East, with the Arab Peninsula in particular, is full of oil. In Saudi Arabia oil is so abundant that buying a gallon of oil would be cheaper than buying a gallon of water.
Oil Wells
Women Driving
Women haven’t been allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia since its inception. Recently the law that bans women from obtaining a driver’s license or from driving was set up to be revoked. This law is supposed to fall by the wayside in June 2018.
Women Driving
Tons Of Money
Oil is not a cheap commodity, and let’s face it, everyone needs it. The Saudi royal family has accumulated a tremendous wealth because of this. An estimate of their collected wealth is approximately $14 trillion!
Tons Of Money
Women’s Rights
At least driving is heading in the right direction for women. There are a number of other activities that women in the Saudi kingdom can’t engage in. Women aren’t allowed to open a bank account, travel without a male counterpart or even attend school or a job outside of their homes unaccompanied.
Women’s Rights
Conditional Love
Love is controlled in Saudi Arabia when it comes to homosexuality. Maybe the correct way to phrase that would be, “It’s illegal to be gay in Saudi Arabia”. For anyone caught engaging in homosexual activities, they can face punishment of lashings, or even the death penalty.
Conditional Love
Absolute Monarchy
Currently in the world, a few countries still run by an absolute monarchy. Saudi Arabia has held this kind of government since September 23rd, 1932 when the Al Saud family started ruling. Other absolute monarch countries are, Brunei, Vatican City, Oman and Swaziland.
Absolute Monarchy
Punishable Crimes
Speaking of the death penalty, being homosexual isn’t the only gateway to being sentenced to death. The Saudi government has a number of other crimes that are punishable by death, such as: murder, armed robbery, witchcraft, and adultery. 154 offenders were executed in 2006 after being found guilty of committing these crimes.
Punishable Crimes
Holy Sites
There is a misconception among Muslims and non-Muslims sometimes, thinking that Jerusalem is the holiest site for Muslims. But the truth is that the two holiest sites in the Islamic faith can be found in Saudi Arabia. These two places are the cities of Mecca and Medina.
Holy Sites
Reckless On The Roads
Have you ever heard of “sidewalk skiing”? I didn’t think so. This very dangerous and outrageous “sport” was created in Saudi Arabia, and it has garnered a lot of attention worldwide. This so-called sport has drivers skillfully raising one side of their Jeeps while passengers hang out of the windows, and even remove a wheel or two.
Reckless On The Roads
Cautious Photography
Since modesty laws are strict in Saudi Arabia, taking photographs of women is forbidden. If you’d like to snap a picture of Saudi men you won’t have any issues, you’ll just have to ask for permission.
Cautious Photography
Protecting Its Borders
Due to restless borders, Saudi Arabia has built walls and fences to combat threats from neighbors. Two examples of this is ISIS threatening from the north, and civil war that has broken out in the south.
Protecting Its Borders
The Tallest Building
If you thought that the Burj in Dubai was tall, then you have another thing coming. In 2020, the massive Jeddah Tower will become the world’s tallest building. It will also be known by the name of “Kingdom Tower” and it will become the first building to pass the 1-kilometer mark.
The Tallest Building
No Alcohol
Like other Muslim countries, drinking and selling of alcohol is strictly forbidden, and there’s a hefty penalty for offenders. Even though offenders won’t face the death penalty, they will find themselves facing the whip.
No Alcohol
Camel Meat
Understanding that camels are found in abundance in Saudi Arabia allows us to understand that camels therefore make up a great part of Saudi Arabian cuisine. Other foods that are indigenous to the region is fatir, which is a flat bread, laban drink, which is like a drinkable yogurt, and kapsa, which is a chicken and rice dish.
Camel Meat
Using Your Right Hand
Just like we all know, meeting a new person in Saudi Arabia means that you’ll put your right hand forward to shake theirs. But it’s not just common courtesy to use your right hand, because using your left hand is considered rude and unsanitary. The Saudis use their left hands for other, less clean tasks.
Using Your Right Hand
Desert Land
Saudi Arabia is a massive country, but lots of its land mass is covered in sand. Due to all of this sand, the country only has about 2% of land that can be farmed.
Desert Land
UNESCO Sites
Saudi Arabia is the proud home of four UNESCO Heritage sites. These historical sites are, Al-Hijr Archaeological Site, At-Turaif District In ad-Dir’iyah, Historic Jeddah, and Rock Art Of The Hail Region.
UNESCO Sites
Missing Saudi Journalist
Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 and never emerged. He was known to be critical of the Crown Prince. Now, many including Turkish investigators are claiming he was interrogated, murdered and then dismembered. People across the world were further angered when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with both Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on October 16th, 2018 and said, “the Saudi leadership strongly denied any knowledge of what took place in their consulate in Istanbul.”
Missing Saudi Journalist
Supreme King
Since 2015, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has been both the king and prime minister of Saudi Arabia. Every king deserves a fitting title, and 82-year-old “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and head of the House of Saud,” is no exception.
Supreme King
No Smoking
One of the trademarks of the region of Arabia is its water pipes, also known as shishas and hookahs. But not all kinds of smoking are accepted in Saudi Arabia. In 2012 the government took on extra methods to prevent citizens from smoking by banning smoking in government institutions and many public areas. The population blows around $8 million a day on cigs.
No Smoking
Shooting Squads
Even though the Saudi government has used the method of beheading criminals for many years, they’ve moved their preference to that of shooting squads. The main reason for this shift has nothing to do with humanity, and everything to do with not being able to find swordsmen who are skilled enough to perform the task.
Shooting Squads
Massive Land
If you ever take a look at Saudi Arabia on the map. you’ll notice just how massive it is. It ranks as the 13th largest country on the planets, and measures 83,000 square miles (2,149,690 square km).
Massive Land
Two Full Weddings
Weddings are an expensive affair, but no wedding is more costly than a double-wedding. Saudi couples get married in two different halls, with the two parties completely separate from one another.
Two Full Weddings
Road Accidents
Driving in Saudi Arabia is quite dangerous, and therefore it is has received a status as being one of the most dangerous countries to drive in. A study by World Bank in 2000 showed that the most dangerous countries to drive in were, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Thailand and South Africa.
Road Accidents
Buying Camels
Camels are important to Saudis for a whole series of reasons, and more than you can think of. The Riyadh camel market is one the world’s biggest camel markets, and camel sellers manage to sell around 100 camels a day.
Buying Camels
Contraceptives
Saudi law prevents men and women from using contraceptives. What makes this surprising is that Iran, which is also a Muslim-majority country, actually has one of the only condom factories in the Middle East.
Contraceptives
Chewing Coffee Beans
Coffee is considered a stimulant and therefore it is forbidden. The Saudis call it ‘gahwa’ which means “that which prevents sleep.” Despite the law, many Saudis drink coffee, and some even chew its beans while they’re praying.
Chewing Coffee Beans
Powerful Figures
Forbes magazine named 90-year-old King Abdullah the 8th most powerful person in the world in January 2015. It was just before his death that he received the title of the world’s most powerful Muslim.
Powerful Figures
Her Garb
Saudi women wear a traditional Judaic dress called an ‘abaya’ which is black in color. This garb comes from a biblical time, but it still holds relevance today.
Her Garb
His Garb
Men in Saudi Arabia have their own collection of traditional clothing. This includes the ‘thobes’, a lightweight cotton garment which is white, the ‘bischts’ which looks like a graduation gown, and gutras which is a traditional head scarf.
His Garb
Selling Lingerie
Before 2012, women in Saudi Arabia had to buy their lingerie from men which made them feel uncomfortable. The reason was that women didn’t have permission to work outside of their homes, but this law changed in 2012 when King Abdullah transferred lingerie-selling rights to women and women only.
Selling Lingerie
Slaves In Saudi Arabia
The buying and selling of slaves was rampant in the Arab Peninsula for many centuries, but Saudi Arabia only abolished slavery in 1962.
Slaves In Saudi Arabia
Voting Rights
Saudi Arabia became the last country in the world to grant women the right to vote. King Abdullah announced the change in 2011, but it took until 2015 for the law to come into full effect.
Voting Rights
The Modesty Police
There are crimes that we haven’t spoken about yet, and those crimes pertain to religious offenders. A special policing force called the “Mutaween” AKA the “Committee for the Preservation of Virtue and for the Prevention of Vice, holds responsibility for appropriate behavior of tourists and locals.
The Modesty Police
Saudi Arabia’s Name
After King Abdul Aziz bin Rahman Al Saud (Ibn Saud) declared independence for Saudi Arabia in 1932, he crowned himself as its king. This king is the reason Saudi Arabia has its name. He had 17 wives, 44 sons that we know of and an undisclosed number of daughters.
Saudi Arabia’s Name
First Arab Astronaut
It was in 1985 that Saudi Arabia surprised the world when they sent the first Arab astronaut into space. Prince Sultan bin Salman became the first Muslim, first Arab and first Saudi to enter space, aboard the “Discovery” space shuttle.
First Arab Astronaut
“Winston’s Hiccup”
There’s an old joke about the size of Saudi Arabia related to English Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. It goes that when Churchill was drawing up the boundaries for Saudi Arabia and Jordan, he hiccuped from the drinking too much brandy. This caused his hand to slip and grant a few extra thousand miles to Saudi Arabia.
“Winston’s Hiccup”
Harry Potter
Since Harry Potter is a wizard, the Saudis consider him to be “illegal reading material” and therefore you can’t have anything Harry Potter related in Saudi Arabia.
Harry Potter
Non-Muslims
Non-Muslims have permission to visit and work in Saudi Arabia, but getting citizenship is not on the cards. In addition, creating a place of worship for any religion other than Islam is not allowed.
Non Muslims
Assassinated King
1975 was a distraught time for the Saudi royal family, because it was this year that they experienced a family assassination. King Faisal’s nephew assassinated him after he returned from a trip to America. It wasn’t long before the murder that Time magazine named King Faisal as the “Man of the Year”.
Assassinated King
9/11 Involvement
When the United States was recovering from the tragedy of 9/11, Saudi Arabia was defending their non-involvement in the attacks. But soon proof would come to light that 15 of the 19 hijackers who perpetrated the attacks on that Tuesday morning, in fact came from Saudi Arabia.
9/11 Involvement
Yom Kippur War
In 1973, when Egypt and Syria went to war with Israel, Saudi Arabia aided the Arab forces by sending 3,000 fighters to Syria. Additionally they sent armored cars to the war front, but most were destroyed by the Israeli Army and captured.
Yom Kippur War
Care For Citizens
When it comes to healthcare in Saudi Arabia, all citizens get free coverage. The same ideal runs true with public schooling, which is free. However the literacy rate is still 70%.
Care For Citizens
Young Nation
It’s quite incredible that 75% of Saudi Arabia’s population is under the age of 35. This means that the average of a Saudi citizen is just 18 years old.
Young Nation
A Giant Fountain
Despite being a country without any rivers and with major landscape of only sand, Saudi Arabia can still boast having the world’s tallest water fountain. King Fahd commissioned the project and now it is a major tourist attraction.
A Giant Fountain
Relationship With America
Saudi Arabia and the United States have an agreement that is called, “oil for security”. The idea is quite self-explanatory. Both countries have been teaming up to battle common threats like Al Qaeda and ISIS.
Relationship With America
Saudis In America
Did you know that Saudi Arabians have purchased land plots in America? The general area that they’ve focused on is Arizona where they’re growing hay so that they can ship it back to dairy farms in Saudi Arabia.
Saudis In America
The Muslim Brotherhood
A big surprise hit the Arab world when Saudi Arabia officially checked the Muslim Brotherhood onto their list of terrorist organizations. Other Arab nations weren’t shy to share their disgust at the Saudi kingdom for this move.
The Muslim Brotherhood
The Queen Of England
In 1935, Queen Elizabeth of England granted a knighthood in the Order of the Bath to King Ibn Saud. This was a well-publicized and important action that was received with great respect both by the Saudis and the English people.
The Queen Of England
The Religious Police
When an all-girls’ school in Mecca went up in flames in 2002, rumors started to spread around the 15 girls who lost their lives. Since the 15 girls weren’t dressed exactly in accordance with Islamic dress code, they were trapped inside the building and perished as a result.
The Religious Police
To The Cross
While Saudi law allows the use of various death sentence methods, one that is spoken of less, is that of crucifixion. It might not be a favorite, but it is a chosen method.
To The Cross
Drinking From The Sea
Saudi Arabia is a huge desert, and even though it has two seas on either side of it, it has no rivers. Saudi Arabia has had to turn salt water into clean water and therefore they have the world’s largest desalination plant.
Drinking From The Sea
The Stampede
On September 24th, 2015, the “2015 Mina Stampede”took the lives of more than 2,000 people who came for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The stampede was eventually blamed on overcrowding.
The Stampede
Stoning The Devil
On the day of Eid al-Adha (the 10th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah) worshipers throw stones at three different walls. They do this to represent the stoning of the devil, which is done with the use of seven stones.
Stoning The Devil
Going Nuclear
Saudi Arabia has long had close military relations with Pakistan. The Saudi kingdom has provided funds for the Pakistani nuclear program, and many believe that Saudi Arabia will want to buy nuclear weapons from Pakistan thereafter.
Going Nuclear
Deporting Immigrants
Since 2013, more than 500,000 immigrants have been detained and deported from Saudi Arabia. These immigrants make up the bulk of Saudi Arabia’s cheap labor force, and most of them come from Yemen, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
Deporting Immigrants
Praying Times
Prayers are held at many different times during the day. Praying is very important and therefore businesses even close 3 or 4 times a day for 30 to 45 minutes just to allow the population to pray.
Praying Times
Second World War
During World War II, Saudi Arabia didn’t want to be involved in the fighting. The third king, Abd al Aziz, had a close relationship with the Axis powers, but when the war neared its end, he moved his alliance towards the Allies.
Second World War
Speaking Up
Insulting Islam in Saudi Arabia can open the gates of hell, and no-one know this better than Saudi writer Raif Badawi. He received 1,000 lashes and a 10-year prison sentence in 2014 for insulting Islam.
Speaking Up
Converting Currencies
The Saudi Riyal is not worth as much as the American dollar. One U.S. dollar can get you 3.75 Saudi Riyal.
Converting Currencies
Military Might
Saudi Arabia allocates more than 10% of its GDP on military expenses. In fact Saudi Arabia comes in fourth place globally for the highest military expenditure – 63.7 billion U.S. dollars a year.
Military Might
Clandestine Mission
Way back in 1503, an Italian named Ludovico de Varthema became the very first non-Muslim to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. He did this in disguise as a Mameluke guard, who was protecting pilgrims and spent three weeks there. Unfortunately, once he left and got to Yemen, he forgot his Arabic and got thrown into prison. Luckily, he was rescued three months later.
Clandestine Mission
Off To The Races
Well, we told you they loved camels in Saudi Arabia! Yes, they even have camel races. At The King’s Cup, which takes place every year during a festival called the Al-Janadrivah National Festival, they have a huge race. There are up to 2,000 participants that race across the 19 km track. Sounds wild!
Off To The Races
Burial Rules
Under the traditions of Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims are not supposed to be buried within the country’s borders. However, they made a slight change in 2012. They eased these burial restrictions but only under certain circumstances.
Burial Rules
Television Controversy
Back in 1965, King Faisal brought television to the nation. As expected, the religious fanatics strongly opposed television, claiming it was salacious. Just ten years after, one of the king’s nephews got shot and killed by police after leading an assault on a TV station. That same year, 1975, King Faisal was assassinated by his deceased nephew’s brother, who later got beheaded publicly for this murder.
Television Controversy
Worry Beads
Lots of people in Saudi Arabia carry Misbaha with them, or prayer breads knowns as “worry beads.” Originally, they were to count the number of prayers during prayer calls. You can find them on a string, resembling a necklace, in a set ranging anywhere from 33 to 99 beads.
Worry Beads
Where My Witches At?
We already explained that Harry Potter was banned, but it goes a lot deeper than banning a book about witches and wizards. In Saudi Arabia, there’s an Anti-Witchcraft Action Unit that is part of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPV). Remember them? They’re the religious police. Basically, this unit is supposed to apprehend any sorcerers and somehow, reverse the harmful effects of any spells that were cast. Interesting…
Where My Witches At?
Mandated Religious Study
Every public school in Saudi Arabia is religious. Makes sense since the government mandates everyone participate in daily Koran study. They start studying the Koran in first grade and it takes up about half the day. While in elementary school, math, science, history, physical education and history average 12 periods weekly when combined. Meanwhile, religious studies averages at 9 periods a week.
Mandated Religious Study
First Female Olympic Athletes
In June 2012, Crown Prince Nayef passed away. His replacement was 76 year-old Prince Salman, a much more liberal defense minister. Thus, it’s no coincidence that this year Saudi Arabia sent its first ever female athletes to compete in the Olympics.
First Female Olympic Athletes
School Year
Things are a bit different in Saudi Arabia and especially in their schools. You’ve probably realized that by now. Well, they also attend school on a totally different yearly schedule. The kids in Saudi Arabia are in school from October until July.
School Year
Highest Point
Most people believe Jabal Sawda to be the highest point in the country. It sits at close to 10,000 feet above sea level. However, others claim there are higher elevations elsewhere in Saudi Arabia. Regardless, it’s a breathtaking sight. You can find the village of Al Souda close to the peak. Al Souda is a big tourist stop and even runs a cable car to the mountain top.
Highest Point
Family Activist
Princess Ameerah is a favorite worldwide. It’s not just her beauty she’s known and celebrated for. In fact, she’s very active and vocal, standing up for what she believes in. She was even quoted saying, “everyone knows me, I sit with extreme conservatives; I sit with extreme liberals. My agenda is not to create negativity but unity.”
Family Activist
Princess Times Two
Princess Ameerah wasn’t born a royal. She was married to Prince Talal until 2013. Although they’re divorced, they remain on good terms. During her 2012 interview with The Wall Street Journal she said, “it’s so ironic because my name means ‘Princess’ in Arabic and when I got married to Prince Talal, people referred to me as ‘Ameerah Ameerah’ or ‘Princess Princess’.”
Princess Times Two