Saudi Arabia
25 00 N, 45 00 E
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
total: 4,431 km
border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
frequent sand and dust storms
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
arable land: 1.67%
permanent crops: 0.09%
other: 98.24% (2005)
desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills
Saudi Arabia has a desert climate. In Jeddah it is warm for most of the year. Riyadh, which is inland, is hotter in summer and colder in winter, when occasional heavy rainstorms occur. The Rub al Khali (‘empty Quarter’) seldom receives rain, making Saudi Arabia one of the driest countries in the world.\nRequired clothing\nTropical or lightweight clothing.
time difference: UTC+3
