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NAVIGATION
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
GOVERNMENT
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
conventional short form: Saudi Arabia local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah |
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Government type:
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monarchy |
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Capital:
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Riyadh |
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Administrative divisions:
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13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk |
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Independence:
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23 September 1932 (Unification of the Kingdom) |
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National holiday:
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Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932) |
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Constitution:
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governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993 |
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Legal system:
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based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
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Suffrage:
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none |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes many royal family members |
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Legislative branch:
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Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (120 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms) |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Council of Justice |
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Political parties and leaders:
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none allowed |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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none |
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International organization participation:
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ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BIS, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. JORDAN
embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh mailing address: American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693 telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800 FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360 consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah) |
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Flag description:
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green with large white Arabic script (that may be translated as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); green is the traditional color of Islam |
ECONOMY
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Economy - overview:
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This is an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world (26% of the proved reserves), ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 25% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 4 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service sectors. The government in 1999 announced plans to begin privatizing the electricity companies, which follows the ongoing privatization of the telecommunications company. The government is supporting private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population. Priorities for government spending in the short term include additional funds for the water and sewage systems and for education. Water shortages and rapid population growth constrain the government's efforts to increase self-sufficiency in agricultural products. |
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $242 billion (2002 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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0.6% (2002 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $10,500 (2002 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 5.2%
industry: 51.2% services: 43.6% (2001 est.) |
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Population below poverty line:
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NA% |
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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1% (2002) |
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Labor force:
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7 million
note: 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 12%, industry 25%, services 63% (1999 est.) |
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Unemployment rate:
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25% (2002) |
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Budget:
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revenues: $46 billion
expenditures: $56.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2003 est.) |
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Industries:
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crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, construction, fertilizer, plastics |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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1% (1997 est.) |
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Electricity - production:
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122.4 billion kWh (2001) |
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% |
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Electricity - consumption:
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113.8 billion kWh (2001) |
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Electricity - exports:
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0 kWh (2001) |
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Electricity - imports:
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0 kWh (2001) |
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Oil - production:
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8.711 million bbl/day (2001 est.) |
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Oil - consumption:
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1.452 million bbl/day (2001 est.) |
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Oil - exports:
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NA (2001) |
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Oil - imports:
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NA (2001) |
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Oil - proved reserves:
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261.7 billion bbl (January 2002 est.) |
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Natural gas - proved reserves:
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6.339 trillion cu m (January 2002 est.) |
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Agriculture - products:
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wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk |
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Exports:
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$71 billion f.o.b. (2001) |
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Exports - commodities:
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petroleum and petroleum products 90% |
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Exports - partners:
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US 18.5%, Japan 15.8%, South Korea 10.3%, Singapore 5.4%, India 3.5% (2001) |
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Imports:
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$39.5 billion f.o.b. (2001) |
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Imports - commodities:
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machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles |
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Imports - partners:
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US 16.6%, Japan 10.4%, Germany 7.4%, UK 6.1% (2001) |
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Debt - external:
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$25.9 billion (2003 est.) |
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Currency:
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Saudi riyal (SAR) |
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Currency code:
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SAR |
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Exchange rates:
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Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.745 (2002), 3.745 (2001), 3.745 (2000), 3.745 (1999), 3.745 (1998) |
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year |