Saudi Arabia
country in West Asia
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Saudi Arabia is a country located in Asia[1]. Established in 1727[2][3], it has Arabic as its official language[4]. The nation's head of state is Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Saudi Arabia has a population of 33.0 million as of 2018 and covers an area of 2.2 million square kilometers[5]. The country operates in the UTC+03:00 and Asia/Riyadh time zones[6].
World Factbook
CIA reference data · 4 sections
Geography
Location
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen
Climate
harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Terrain
mostly sandy desert
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
People & Society
Religions
Muslim (official; citizens are 85-90% Sunni and 10-12% Shia), other (includes Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh) (2020 est.)
Government
Government type
absolute monarchy
Independence
23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)
National holiday
Saudi National Day (Unification of the Kingdom), 23 September (1932)
Legal system
Islamic (sharia) system with some elements of Egyptian, French, and customary law; commercial disputes handled by special committees
Economy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$2.213 trillion (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$62,700 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
1.8% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.7% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
3.9% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
China 21%, India 12%, Japan 12%, USA 6%, UAE 4% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 21%, UAE 8%, USA 7%, India 6%, Germany 5% (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook · public domain (US gov work, 17 USC §105) · fetched 2026-05-06
Key Facts
- Religion or worldview: Islam[3]
- Country: Saudi Arabia[4]
- Located in or next to body of water: Persian Gulf[5], Red Sea[6], Gulf of Aqaba[7]
- Head of government: Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud[8]
- Continent: Asia[9]
- Instance of: kingdom[10], country[11]
- Head of state: Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud[12]
- Capital: Riyadh[13]
- Official language: Arabic[14]
- Currency: Saudi riyal[15]
- Shares border with: Jordan[16], Kuwait[17], Qatar[18], Bahrain[19], United Arab Emirates[20], Oman[21], Yemen[22], Iraq[23], Egypt[24], Iran[25]
- Top-level Internet domain: .sa[26], AlSaudiah[27]
- Anthem: Chant of the Saudi Nation[28]
- Founder: Founding Leaders of Saudi Arabia[29]
- Basic form of government: absolute monarchy[30], islamic theocracy[31], monarchy[32]
- Named after: Saud I[33]
- Contains the administrative territorial entity: Al-Baha Province[34], Northern Borders Province[35], Al-Jowf Province[36], Medina Province[37], Al-Qassim[38], Riyadh Province[39], Eastern Province[40], Asir Province[41], Ḥaʼil Province[42], Jazan Province[43], Mecca Province[44], Najran Province[45], Tabuk Province[46], list of provinces of Saudi Arabia[47]
- Follows: Emirate of Diriyah[48]
- Flag: flag of Saudi Arabia[49]
- Legislative body: Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia[50], Bureau of Experts at the Saudi Council of Ministers[51]
- Executive body: Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia[52]
- Highest judicial authority: Supreme Judicial Council of Saudi Arabia[53]
- Coat of arms: Coat of Arms of Saudi Arabia[54]
- Part of: Middle East[55], West Asia[56], Arab states of the Persian Gulf[57], Arab world[58]
- Commons category: Saudi Arabia[59]
Body
Cultural Significance
Things named for Saudi Arabia include Saudis[60], a human population[61].
Why It Matters
Saudi Arabia has Wikipedia articles in 30 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[62] It is known by 108 alternative names across languages and contexts.[63]
Entities named for it include Saudis[60], a human population[61].