Riyadh Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia and lies on the great limestone plateau of Nejd in the centre of the Arabian Peninsula, some 2500 feet above sea level. In arabic the name literally means 'Gardens'. Being a former trade centre on the pilgrim route across the Peninsula, Riyadh has been a midpoint of attention for centuries. After the young Abdulaziz gained control of Riyadh in 1902, it was from this base that he gradually established control over a vast area from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea. This area became, in 1932, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Nowadays, Riyadh is a bustling metropolis with state-of-the-art architecture and a modern city infrastructure. Riyadh is the seat of government; ministries, embassies, diplomatic missions, as well as It contains educational, financial, agricultural, cultural, technical, commercial and social organizations. The population exceeds two million, and the total inhabited area is more than 1,600 km. Riyadh also contains two university "cities," King Saud and Imam Mohammad bin Saud Islamic University, in addition to military and security colleges, specialized institutes, information, cultural information and cultural centers, sports facilities and stadiums, literary Centers and public libraries. Map of Riyadh The present state of Saudi Arabia was founded by King Abdulaziz Ibn Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al-Saud on the 15th January 1902 and comprises 2,300,000 square kilometres, four-fifths of the Arabian Peninsula. Riyadh, which literally means 'gardens', is the royal capital of Saudi Arabia and lies on the great limestone plateau of Nejd in the centre of the Arabian Peninsula, some 2500 feet above sea level. Being a former trade centre on the pilgrim route across the Peninsula, Riyadh has been a midpoint of attention for centuries. After the young Abdulaziz gained control of Riyadh in 1902, it was from this base that he gradually established control over a vast area from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea. This area became, in 1932, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Nowadays, Riyadh is a bustling metropolis with state-of-the-art architecture and a modern city infrastructure and is by far the fastest growing city in the entire Middle East. Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, lies on the great limestone plateau of Nejd, in the center of The Arabian Peninsula, some 250 feet above sea level. It's name means 'gardens' or silt beds. Health Regulations Riyadh is a healthy place to live. The authorities, however, recommend immunization against typhoid, tetanus and hepatitis A, but this is not compulsory and most people do not bother. Riyadh is not a malaria area. There are different allergens from those prevailing in wetter climates, but many asthma sufferers find that their symptoms greatly improve in Riyadh's dry and relatively unpolluted air. Climate and Best Time to Visit In general, Riyadh's climate is continental; hot and dry in summer and cold to moderate in winter. Temperatures fall between 40-47 degrees Celsius and sometimes fall below zero in winter. Relative humidity is about 35% throughout the year. Rain is rare and often falls between November and May. Wind movement is relatively calm in winter, while a Northerly, dusty wind is probable in summer. Customs No custom duties imposed on personal items brought by individuals arriving in the Kingdom. As of recently, however, 12% taxes and customs duties are levied on imported goods. Alcoholic drinks as well as pig meat and derivatives are prohibited. Airport King Khalid International Airport-KKIA, 35 kms to the North of the City. Car Hire Avis, Rent a car, Sahri, Hala, Budget, Hanco Sightseeing Dira Square Musmak Fortress Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography Murabba Palace Diriyyah Janadriyah Festival and Camel Races Horse Races Electricity 110 and 220 Volts are used in Saudi Arabia. Also 380 Volts is used for industrial purposes. Languages Arabic is the main language of the country and is the language used in all official departments. Tourist Offices Tourism Committee C/O Chamber of Commerce P.O.B ox 596, Riyadh Tel 4040044 Fax 4021103