Saudi Arabia : Country overview

Geography

• Full country name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Population: 25.7 million (The World Factbook, 2010)
• Border countries: Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Yemen, Kuwait.
• Climate: hot and humid with desert conditions, although winter temperatures in the northern regions can fall below freezing.
• Terrain: mostly barren and uninhabited, includes the largest sand desert in the world, mountains and salt flats, gravel plains and sand dunes.
• Natural hazards: sand and dust storms. Saudi Arabia has numerous volcanoes including Harrat Rahat, Harrat Khaybar, Harrat Lunayyir and Jabal Yar, however they have seen little activity in the last few centuries.

Living in Saudi Arabia

• Cost of living: many employers include fully paid and serviced accommodation for overseas staff. General cost of living is similar to the UK; low taxation makes some items much cheaper.
• Utilities: government owned and subsidised utilities make them less expensive than in the UK.
• Internet domain: .sa
• Health: if you are working in Saudi Arabia you will normally have healthcare provided by your employer and facilities for private healthcare are usually of a very high standard, although expensive. It is advisable to check about the healthcare provision of your contract of employment before accepting a position. Malaria is a risk in Jizan in south-western Saudi Arabia and so it is advisable to have a malaria vaccination. Other recommended vaccinations are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, TB, tetanus and polio.
• Laws and customs: it is important to take the time to understand the laws and culture of Saudi Arabia before accepting a job offer, as standards are far more strict in Saudi Arabia than in the UK. Offences in the country include women driving, men being in the company of women who are not their close relatives, ‘indiscreet dress’, practising a religion other than Islam, blasphemy and homosexual acts. Alcohol is banned. Drug dealing and possession is a serious offence with capital punishment carried out for those caught dealing. Saudis will not usually take offence from a social mistake made in ignorance, but ignorance of the law is not accepted as an excuse. Punishments are far more severe than in the UK.

Economy and finance

• Currency: Saudi Riyal
• Type of economy: oil based with government control over economic activity.
• Health of economy: good, heavily determined by oil prices. The country is encouraging the growth in the private sector to diversify its economy.
• Unemployment rate: 10.8% (The World Factbook, 2010)
• Main exports: oil and gas.

Culture

• People: Arab (90%), Afro-Asian (10%).
• Major religion: Muslim
• History: see BBC Timeline: Saudi Arabia 
• Local etiquette: Arab society has a very strong sense of culture and civility. Foreign men and women are not expected to wear Arab garments but must dress in modest Western dress. Etiquette when addressing people in Saudi Arabia can be confusing and learning some basic Arabic phrases is generally well received. Food and drink should be taken with the right hand and you should avoid showing the soles of your feet or shoes. You should avoid putting an Arab person in a position where they may suffer a ‘loss of face’ towards another Arab. During Ramadan it is important not to eat, drink or smoke in daylight hours where you can be seen by any Muslims.

Politics

• Type of government: monarchy, with the Al-Saud dynasty holding a monopoly of power.
• Major political parties: there are no political parties as the monarchy is heredity and the King is also the Prime Minister.

Travel advice

Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.