The Arabian Desert – at 2,300,000 sq km (900,000 sq mi) – is the largest desert in Asia and the second largest on Earth. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was formally declared in September 1932 when Ibn Saud proclaimed himself as King Abdulaziz.– Source: Lonely Planet, 4. Millions of Muslims take their pilgrimage to these holy sites as part of their faith. In its western highlands, along the Red Sea, lies the Hejaz, which is the cradle of Islam and the site of that religion’s holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. It is also where his tomb lies. Accessed June 20, 2014. Updated May 24, 2013. This desert, which is 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) long and 500 kilometers (310 miles) wide, occupies a large portion of Saudi Arabia. U.S. and Allied forces launch Operation Desert Storm. King Abdullah overturns the sentence. Around 95% of Saudi Arabia is desert.– Source: NASA, 21. Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East and the 12th largest in the world. Accessed July 9, 2014. There are almost no rivers or lakes in the country. Based on fatalities per head of population, a World Bank report in the year 2000 found that Saudi Arabia along with. The country of Saudi Arabia almost never happened. Muslim capital is moved to Damascus, encompassing an empire from Spain to India. King Fahd decrees the division of Saudi Arabia into 13 administrative divisions. Compared to its neighbors, Saudi Arabia has a relatively large local population, but over 30% of the … September 21, 2011. King Faisal introduced television to Saudi Arabia in 1965. Saudi Arabia is an Arab country located in Western Asia. On Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines—and Future. Baby camel is one of the most tender of Saudi meats; it is a specialty of Jeddah and Jejaz. King Saud is deposed by his brother Faisal. Saudia Arabia is an oil-rich nation, possessing around 16% of the world’s proven petroleum reserves. 15 of the 19 hijackers involved in the 2001 9/11 attacks on the US were from Saudi Arabia. Did you know that Mecca and Medina are the most holy cities of Islam, and that non-Muslims are not allowed to set their foot on these holy grounds? 8. The Arabian Peninsula, on which the kingdom is located, is one of several places on the planet, where in the summer months the temperature never falls below 50 degrees Celsius. Saudi Arabia has 83,000 square miles (2,149,690 square km) in total area, which makes it the 13th largest country in the world. They cannot marry, divorce, travel, get a job or have elective surgery without permission from their male guardians.– Source: Amnesty International, CNN, 6. On August 1, the death of King Fahd is announced. Even without the virus, the Saudis issue quotas to every country to let them know how many people are allowed to make the pilgrimage. 3. Saudi Arabia has the death penalty and is the world’s third-highest executer. The Arabian Desert incorporates the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world, the Rubʿ al-Khali, which lies mainly within Saudi Arabia. 1. In February, King Abdullah swears in 30 women to the Majlis al-Shura, a major step in female participation in public life. October 15, 2013. Saudi Arabia has the eighth highest CO2 emissions in the world. Saudi Arabia is the 13th largest country in the world. The country is home to some of the largest areas of desert in the world, including An Nafud, otherwise known as the Nafud Desert, in the north. Today, I share some Strange Rules and Less known Facts about Saudi Arabia. Central and western Arabia develop into a loose arrangement of independent city-states, sustained by either the frankincense trade or by farming. King Abdullah fires the head of the Mutaween (religious police), the most senior judge, and the head of the central bank in a rare government reshuffle. The country makes up most of the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi women were not allowed to take part in the Olympics until 2012. Officially, all Saudis are Muslims. The new, tallest building in the world will stand 3,280 feet (1 km) high and will dwarf the Burj Khalifa hotel in Dubai by 600 feet (183 meters). Saudi Arabia tore down a centuries old Turkish fortress, at one time used to protect Mecca and the Kaaba from invaders and bandits, to build a Megahotel complex. Saudi Arabia participates in both air attacks on Iraq and in the land force that goes on to liberate Kuwait. 7. Traditionally, non-Muslims could not be buried within the borders of Saudi Arabia. Home > Countries. Saudi Arabia severs diplomatic ties with Egypt after it makes peace with Israel. Strange Rules and Less known Facts about Saudi Arabia. She objected not only to the dress code, by which she had to abide, but also to the prohibition preventing her from driving herself around the base. Wahhabism, named after its founder Muhammad Abd al-Wahhab, is a fundamentalist sect of, Each year, the Saudi royal family holds a reunion in Riyadh, featuring as its centerpiece a ceremonial sword dance, in order to celebrate the alliance between the “. As such, the Saudi king’s official title is the “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques”.– Source: CIA World Fact Book, 14. 2Brekke, Kira. Updated March 28, 2014. Riyadh’s camel market is one of the largest in the world and sells about 100 camels per day. “The 72 Who Rule the World.” Forbes. Apex Academy, a perfect place for children. Fifteen percent are Shiite Muslims who practice mainly in the eastern provinces of Saudi Arabia. Measured over a five-year period, 1,722,804 more people moved to Saudi Arabia than left it.– Source: World Bank, 25. However, in 2012, the country eased burial restrictions under certain circumstances. Mecca is the holiest of Muslim cities where Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born in around 570 AD.– Source: Britannica, 12. It is composed of a chairman and 60 members chosen by the king. Facts about Saudi Arabia. Oil is discovered in Saudi Arabia, and production begins under the U.S.-controlled Aramco (Arabian American Oil Company). In October, Saudi Arabia turns down a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council, accusing the world body of double standards on account of what it sees as an international failure to act on Syria, where it staunchly backs the rebels. The OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference) is founded in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Tower Will Stand One Kilometer High, Women Only to Work in Saudi Arabia Lingerie Shops, Coronavirus Fears Spread across the World, Saudi Arabia’s Anti-Witchcraft Unit Breaks another Spell, Google Earth Reveal Strange Nazca-Like Ruins in Saudi Arabia, A Lack of Swordsmen May Lead Saudis to Abolish Beheadings, Saudi Arabia Bans Smoking in Most Public Places, U.S. Surges Past Saudis to Become World’s Top Oil Supplier?PIRA. 2. Updated January 4, 2012. February 27, 2020. – Source: Lonely Planet. It is the largest country in the Middle East, about the size of Western Europe and one-quarter the size of the U.S. Construction on Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Tower began in … Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the vast majority of the Arabian Peninsula.With a land area of approximately 2,150,000 km 2 (830,000 sq mi), Saudi Arabia is geographically the largest sovereign state in Western Asia, the second-largest in the Arab world (after Algeria), the fifth-largest in Asia, and the 12th-largest in the world. That same week, a U.S. engineer working in Saudi Arabia is abducted and beheaded, and his execution is filmed and broadcast, causing revulsion in the U.S. Most people in Saudi Arabia often carry a set of prayer beads, called Misbahah, or “worry beads.” The original purpose of the beads was to count the number of prayers during prayer calls. Evidence suggests that modern-day Saudia Arabia has been inhabited for around 125,000 years. The Majlis al-Shura is inaugurated. Read CNN's Fast Facts about Saudi Arabia and learn more about the oil-rich, Middle Eastern kingdom, home to Islam's holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. Expansion of urbanization, pollution, modern agricultural activities, and overhunting for recreational purposes are threats facing the natural habitat system. 10 Facts About Education in Saudi Arabia. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers involved in the September 11 attacks in the U.S. are Saudi nationals. Saudi Arabia is a prohibition state, and it is not legal to drink alcohol in the kingdom. 2. Because the majority of the population professes this religious beliefs and the country is usually governed by these mandates, things like consuming alcohol or pork are prohibited. “A Lack of Swordsmen May Lead Saudis to Abolish Beheadings.” Time. – Source: World Bank. Extremists seize the Grand Mosque of Mecca; the government regains control after 10 days, and those responsible are captured and executed. Saudi Arabia was part of the Ottoman Empire from 1517 to the early 20th century when the Ottoman Empire collapsed. 17“Saudi Drivers in ‘Sidewalk Skiing’ Craze.” BBC. Here are five facts about religion in Saudi Arabia — a country that is the birthplace of Islam and, as such, holds special importance for Muslims worldwide. UNESCO World Heritage Site Extending across most of the northern and central Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia is a young country that is heir to a rich history. 8Lonely Planet Oman, UAE, & Arabian Peninsula (Travel Guide). Explore its beauty and its tragedy with a list of interesting Syria facts. The Saudi king’s official title is “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.” King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has been king since January 2015. It is separated from Israel and Egypt by the Gulf of Aqaba. Ibn Saud launched a raid at Masmak fortress, which stood on the outskirts of old Riyadh, and on January 15, 1902, the raid was launched, the Rashidi governor was killed, and Riyadh fell into the hands of the Al Sauds. It is the largest Arabian peninsula with an … It covers an area of around 650,000 sq km (250,000 sq mi) and translates as “Empty Quarter”.– Source: Britannica, 23. Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and is the site of the holiest places for Muslims – Mecca and Medina. In June, three gun attacks in Riyadh within a week leave two Americans and a BBC cameraman dead. U.S. says it will pull out almost all its troops from Saudi Arabia, ending a military presence dating back to the 1991 Gulf War. Saudi Arabia was part of the Ottoman Empire from 1517 to the early 20th century when the Ottoman Empire collapsed. The Ma’rib Dam, which the livelihoods of 50,000 people depend upon, bursts and scatters the people of Adz in the peninsula’s most significant migration. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has an area of 829,996 square miles (2,149,690 square kilometres). Saudi Arabia condemns Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and requests the U.S. to intervene. SEE ALSO: 7 things I miss about Saudi Arabia. So much for your summer plans, am I right? Walk the streets of Israel with us to explore its dynamic history, brilliant white beaches, ancient walls, vibrant cities, and other amazing Israel facts. Ibn Saud combines the two crowns of Hijaz and Najd, renaming his country the “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” Ibn Saud is proclaimed king. The Saudis gain politically and threaten to take over other Gulf sheikdoms. Muhammad receives his first revelation and begins to write the Koran, which lays the foundation of Islam. They have permanent bodies of water underground. Here are 40 interesting Saudi Arabia facts 1-5 Saudi Arabia Facts 1. 5House, Karen Elliott. 6. Motorists in Saudi Arabia have invented a perilous but exciting new driving sport called Sidewalk Skiing, which involves balancing a car on its side while the car is in motion. That number decreased to about 67,000 by 2013. Saudi Arabia makes a billion dollars a day, okay? It is the first time women have been able to hold any political office. Prince Sattam earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of San Diego in 1965. In November, the World Trade Organization (WTO) okays Saudi Arabia’s membership after 12 years of talks. – Source: New York Times, eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'factsinstitute_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_4',107,'0','0']));8. Under the Saudi guardianship system, women’s rights are severely restricted. In October 2013, the United States overtook Saudi Arabia, which had led the world for decades, as the world’s largest exporter of oil, averaging 12.1 million barrels per day that year. Read More, The most interesting facts about Brunei, from the world's biggest palace to the monument built... Over 95% of Saudi Arabia is desert or semi-desert, and the country is home to some of the largest desert areas in the world, including Al Nafud (Nafud Desert) in the north and Rub al-Khali (Empty Quarter) in the south. Saudi Arabia follows the Islamic Lunar Calendar, with a starting date of A.D. 622, the year the Prophet Muhammad fled from Mecca to Medina, an event known as the, Saudi Arabia takes witchcraft so seriously that the country has banned the. 5. al-Ahsa oasis is captured from the Ottomans by Ibn Saud. The inscription reads, “There is no god but God; Muhammad is the prophet of God.” The sabre is symbolic of the militancy of their faith and green is synonymous with Islam.– Source: Britannica, 26. In June, Saudi women mount a symbolic protest in defiance on ban on female drivers. “Saudi Arabia’s Anti-Witchcraft Unit Breaks another Spell.” The Jerusalem Post. Until 2018, Saudi Arabia was the world’s only country where women could not drive legally. The country has been ruled by the Al Saud family since its inception as a nation on September 23, 1932. Women are not allowed to take part in polling. Saudi Arabia is a cosmopolitan place. Ibn Saud’s son Sattam bin Abdul Aziz was the first son of the founder to earn a U.S. university degree and the only son to marry just one wife. Saudi Arabia’s Arabic name is Al-Mamlakah al-Arabiyah as-Sa’udiyah, or the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is west of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, and Jordan. A celebrated sailor from Oman, Ahmed bin Majid helps Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama navigate the Cape of Good Hope, leading to the occupation of the Arabian Peninsula a decade later. Read More, The most interesting facts about Kuwait, from remote control camel racing to one of the... 3. Saudi Arabia takes full control of Aramco from the U.S. Saudi Arabia is a founding member of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). According to Forbes magazine, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah is the 8th most powerful person in the world and the world’s most powerful Muslim. Before it descended into war, Syria was a land of rich history and modern charm. Read More, Outstanding biodiversity and a unique bare-knuckle fighting sport are just two of the most interesting... Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is bordered by Jordan and Iraq to the north, Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates to the east, Oman to the southeast, and Yemen to the south. Toronto, Canada: McLelland & Stewart Ltd., 2000. Economic Policy & Debt; Education; Environment; Financial Sector; Gender; Health; Infrastructure; Labor & Social Protection ; Private Sector & Trade; Public Sector; Economic Policy & Debt. Saudi Arabia tore down a centuries-old Turkish fortress, at one time used to protect Mecca and the Kaaba from invaders and bandits, PicFacts. Prophet Muhammad dies, and Islam flourishes despite his death. Saudi Arabia is the world’s 13th most obese country with 69.7% of its population classified as overweight.– Source: World Health Organisation, 27. Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of the world’s second-largest religion, Islam.– Source: Britannica, Pew Research Center, eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'factsinstitute_com-leader-1','ezslot_6',108,'0','0']));11. So, here are a few curious facts about Saudi Arabia you may have never heard. Construction was paused in 2018 but is expected to recommence in 2020.– Source: CNN, CNN Business, 17. Rainfall is slight, with the highest rains along the Persian Gulf coast, which receives 12 inches (300 millimeters) of rain per year. 5. King Khalid dies of a heart attack and is succeeded by his brother Crown Prince Fahd. 3Buchanan, Emily. Ibn Saud is proclaimed King of the Hijaz in the Grand Mosque of Mecca. The King’s Cup, which pits up to 2,000 participants racing across a 19 km track, is an epic camel race which takes place annually during the Al-Jenandriyah National Festival in Saudi Arabia. Accessed June 27, 2014. Mecca and Medina lose their political importance but gain importance as the spiritual homes of Islam. The law was changed in 2018 following years of campaigning.– Source: BBC News, 7. Nearchus, one of his admirals, establishes an important trading colony on Failaka Island. There are many wadis. March 20, 2009. The Kingdom of Hijaz, home to the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina, is captured. The official language is Arabic. Saudi Arabia is home to the King’s Cup camel race. Saudi Arabia introduces new antiterrorism laws, which activists say will further stifle dissent. It extends from Failaka Island, near Kuwait, toward the hills of Oman. 12Opam, Kwame. Saudi Arabia agrees to allow female athletes to compete in the Olympics for the first time, against speculation that the entire Saudi athletic team might be disqualified on grounds of gender discrimination. The official name of the country is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Fun Facts about Saudi Arabia for Kids. Saudi Arabia borders with such countries as: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, United Arab Emirates 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km. In 1503, Italian Ludovico de Varthema became the first non-Muslim to visit Mecca and describe the Kaaba, by disguising himself as a Mameluke guard, protecting the pilgrims, and spending three weeks in the city. The Abraj Al Bait Towers in Mecca holds the records for the world’s tallest clock tower, the world’s tallest hotel and the world’s largest clock face at 43m in diameter.– Source: The Telegraph, eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'factsinstitute_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',110,'0','0']));16. Both countries stress that they remain allies. The Rub’ al Khali, or the Empty Quarter, is one of the driest places on earth. 15“Saudi Arabia Profile: Timeline.” BBC. In 1985, Prince Sultan bin Salman became the first Saudi, first Arab, and first Muslim to, All public schools in Saudi Arabia are religious, and the state mandates daily study of the, In Saudi Arabia, everything closes during, In 1975, the year of his assassination, Saudi King Faisal was chosen as. Accessed June 28, 2014. Saudi Arabia is that the world's largest exporter of petroleum liquids. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Learn more Iraq facts here. Saudi Arabia moves to formalize the royal succession in an apparent bid to prevent in-fighting among the next generation of royal princes. Government issues ID cards to women for the first time. In June, a bomb explodes at the U.S. military complex near Dhahran, killing 19 and wounding over 300. 6Howard, Caroline. Balance of payments. © 2020 Fact Retriever LLC. There are three main dialect groups in Saudi Arabia—in the eastern, central, and western parts of the country—though these are not always clearly discernible from one another because of the pervasiveness of local variations. Immigrants make up more than 30% of the total Saudi population, according to UN data from 2013. Located in the region known as the "cradle of civilization," Iraq is torn between its golden past & its unsettled present. Updated July 30, 2012. He is succeeded by Crown Prince Abdullah. Saudi Arabia has a young and rapidly growing Muslim population.The kingdom has more than 30 millioninhabitants, and roughly 93% of them are Muslim, according to Pew Research Center data. The Middle East is producing 25% of the non-Communist world’s oil. Saudi Arabia has a population of 34 million people and the national language is Arabic; although you will find a few regional variations of Saudi Arabic throughout the Kingdom. Located in southwest Asia (at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa), Saudi Arabia extends from the Red Sea in the west to the Arabian Gulf in the east. Read More, Home to the "African Che Guevara" and one of the world's youngest populations, these are... Saudi Arabia and Qatar agree on final delineation of border. Children between 6 and 14 years old must attend school. King Fahd adds the title “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” to his name. The cultural clothing of Saudi Arabia, the thobe (for men) and the abaaya (for women), is unique to this country. Oakland, CA: Lonely Planet Publications, 2013. It allows foreign troops as well as the Kuwaiti government and many of its citizens to stay in Saudi Arabia, but expels citizens of Yemen and Jordan because of their governments’ support of Iraq. Ibn Saud takes the title of Sultan of Najd. Saudi Arabia is also home to 76 of the 98 mammals known to live in the Arabian Peninsula, 444 bird species, nine freshwater fish species, 103 reptiles, and seven amphibians. 7Kirkby, Bruce. In May, suicide bombers kill 35 people at Western housing compounds, hours before a scheduled visit by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. All rights reserved. Medina is celebrated as the place where Muhammad established the Muslim community (ummah) after he fled Mecca in 622 AD.– Source: Britannica, eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'factsinstitute_com-leader-2','ezslot_9',109,'0','0']));13. 10Miller, David. “Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Tower Will Stand One Kilometer High.” Huffington Post. The longest river, Wadi ar-Rima, 900 km. Accessed June 27, 2014. He was immediately thrown into prison but was able to escape with his life; he was rescued three months later, reportedly by one of the Sultan’s concubines. In December, U.S. confirms major sale of fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The national language of Saudi Arabia is Arabic, and some of the many English words which derive from Arabic include alchemy/chemistry, alcohol, algebra, alkaline, almanac, arsenal, assassin, candy, cipher, King Abdul Aziz bin Rahman Al Saud, or Ibn Saud, is considered the father of the Saudi nation. Saudi Arabia has 1730000 km2 of agricultural land (80% of the country). Updated April 20, 2014. In 1893, the Al-Rashid family seized Riyadh. “Google Earth Reveal Strange Nazca-Like Ruins in Saudi Arabia.” Gizmodo. In 1975, King Faisal was assassinated by his nephew and succeeded by his brother Khalid.– Source: BBC News, eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'factsinstitute_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_8',111,'0','0']));18. In her trips between the airstrip and her quarters, Lt. McSally had to ride in the rear of the vehicle driven by a subordinate male officer, who held a valid driver’s license in Saudi Arabia. The epic camel race has up to 2,000 participants and races across a 19km track during the Janadriyah National Festival.– Source: Lonely Planet, 19. However, they failed to notice the approach from the south of Ibn Saud and a handful of followers who had spent 50 days in the sands of the Empty Quarter. They believe the gates were built by nomadic tribes between 2,000 and 9,000 years ago.– Source: New York Times, 28. They make a billion dollars a day. The Prophet Muhammad is born at Mecca. Accessed June 27, 2014. 4"Coronavirus Fears Spread across the World." Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East and the 12th largest in the world. The highest peak of Jabal al-Sauda 3133 m above sea level. When complete, Jeddah Tower will be 1,000m (3,280ft) high. In October, Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz al Saud is named heir to the throne, after Crown Prince Sultan. In June, President Barack Obama visits Saudi Arabia as a part of a Middle East tour aimed at increasing U.S. engagement with the Islamic world. Saudi Arabia in size takes the 13th place in the world, although its exact area due to the lack of a clear definition of borders is unknown. The Hajar al-Aswad (The Black Stone) rates as, Instead of an income tax, Saudi Arabia has the, In 2009, King Abdullah appointed Nour Al-Fayez as Deputy Minister for, Not only does Saudi Arabia have a civil police force, it also has a religious police force called the Mutaween, which is in charge of purifying thought and action in Saudi communities. About eighty percent of the Saudi Arabian labor force is non-national. Updated July 20, 2011. 4. – Source: New York Times, 24. However, if you find an error or have any questions, please contact us. Ibn Saud, who is considered the Father of the Saudi nation and its first king, was granted a knighthood in the Order of the Bath by Queen Elizabeth of England in 1935. However, religious fanatics opposed the introduction of the TV, considering it salacious. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2009. Most precipitation occurs during the Indian Ocean monsoon season, from October to March. Accessed June 26, 2014. Non-Muslims are not allowed to have Saudi citizenship, and non-Muslim places of worship are not allowed in Saudi Arabia. Petty sheikdoms bicker over limited resources under the control of Tatar moguls, Persians, and Ottoman Turks. Accessed June 24, 2014. Along with the dry, hot, and arid climate and desert make it a unique country, located in the Middle East. However, amateur, Fifteen of the 19 accused hijackers of the terrorist attacks on, Homosexual activity in Saudi Arabia is a criminal offense that can attract the, Saudi Arabia’s ruling family, the Al Sauds, spent US$500 million unsuccessfully trying to suppress the documentary. The temperature is very hot. Saudi Arabia is a desert country with no above ground rivers or lakes and very little rainfall. In 2017, archaeologists used Google Earth to uncovered nearly 400 previously undocumented stone structures called “gates” in the Arabian Desert. Ibn Saud dies and is succeeded by Crown Prince Saud. Arabic is a Semitic language of numerous vernacular dialects that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. British intervention saves Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from being subsumed into Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is also building the world’s tallest skyscraper. Saudi Arabia remains an absolute monarchy and has the last significant monarchy in the world. Medina, the second holiest city in Islam, is where Muhammad’s body is entombed. It is the largest country in the Middle East, about the size of Western Europe and one-quarter the size of the U.S. Construction on Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Tower began in 2014. Saudi Arabia’s flag consists of a green background with a white Arabic inscription and a sabre. The Saadians begin their campaign to expel the Europeans. Saudi Arabia is currently suffering from a mysterious SARS-like virus that has killed almost 50 people, so the government is urging people to refrain from this years’s hajj as much as possible. Saudi Arabia is almost 7 times the size of Poland. An Australian armchair archaeologist used the Google. In September, King Abdullah announces more rights for women, including the right to vote in elections in 2015, to run in municipal elections, and to be appointed to the Majlis al-Shura. Islamic dissident Osama bin Laden is stripped of Saudi nationality. Saudi Arabian cities experienced an extraordinary boom in property prices between 2003 and 2008. King Fahd has a stroke in November. The Kingdom, Saudi Arabia’s monarchy, requires citizens to have an education. Read More, From ancient nomadic culture to one of the world's greatest empires, these are the most... Accessed: February 27, 2020. Over 95 percent of Saudi Arabia is desert or semi-desert. 3. Saudi Arabia becomes a founding member of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries).