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Things to know : Saudi Arabia
Location :
Occupying four-fifths of the Arabian peninsula, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East. In south-western Asia, the country is at the crossroads of three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. On the west it is bordered by the Red Sea and on the east by the Arabian Gulf.
To the south there are borders with Yemen and the Sultanate of Oman. To the east lie the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the island state of Bahrain. In the north Saudi Arabia has borders with Kuwait, Iraq and Jordan. The country's area is estimated to be some 2,331,000 sq km (900,000 sq mi).
Topography
The country has a varied topography including -- besides the well-known deserts -- a green, mountainous area in its south-western corner. Despite appearances, there is considerable life in the desert, especially after winter rains. Plants such as desert camomile, scarlet pimpernel, heliotrope and wild iris are common as well as small animals such as lizards, porcupines, hedgehogs and rabbits. Saudi Arabia's terrain is varied but on the whole it presents a barren and harsh appearance with salt flats, gravel plains and sand dunes but few lakes or permanent streams.
In the south of the country is the famous Empty Quarter (in Arabic, Rub al Khali), the largest continuous sand desert in the world. It is linked to another large sandy desert, the Nafud, in the north of the country. In the south-west, there are mountains rising to over 9,000 feet and rain is not uncommon there.
Language :
Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken. German and French are spoken by hotel staff.
Arabic is spoken and understood in various forms by millions of people throughout the Middle East and beyond. It is one of the official languages of the United Nations. Classical Arabic, the language of the Muslim holy book, the Qur'an, is used only in writing and rarely in speech.
A standardized modern Arabic is used for newspapers, for television and, with local variations, for conversation. Basic conversational Arabic is not difficult to learn.
Click here for some frequently used Arabic phrases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Local Time : GMT +4 hours.
Climate :
Saudi Arabia is one of the driest countries in the world, with rainfall averaging less than 5 inches per year. Marked seasons, in the European or American sense, do not exist. The climate is principally determined by the southerly shift in wind patterns during the winter months which brings rain and cool weather. Other factors such as latitude, proximity to the sea and altitude, also affect the climate. In the Empty Quarter, the great south-eastern sand desert, ten years may pass with no rain.
The Aseer Highlands in the south receive rainfall due to the monsoon that may exceed 255mm (10 in) per year. Jeddah, on the shores of the Red Sea, has a hot and humid climate year-round. Taif, on the other hand, and Abha, enjoy much more temperate weather.
Summer is hot with temperatures in some areas reaching 49C (120F). Winter is cooler with an average temperature of 23C (74F) in Jeddah and 14C (58F) in Riyadh. Winter temperatures drop below freezing in the central and northern parts of the country and snow and ice sometimes occur in the higher elevations in the south-west. Between October and May is generally pleasant with cool nights and sunny days.
Night temperatures in the coastal areas may dip into the 40s (Fahrenheit). From April to November, on the other hand, temperatures are considerably higher and life without air-conditioning would be very unpleasant indeed.
Banks :
The unit of currency is the Saudi Riyal (SR) which is divided into 100 halalahs. Notes are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 riyals. There are also one riyal coins. The riyal is quoted in US dollars but is based on Special Drawing Rights (SDR).
As the SDR/Dollar rate varies, so the official Riyal/Dollar rate is revalued at intervals to keep within a narrow band of $1=SR3.75. There is no restriction on converting the riyal or transferring money outside the country.
Most foreign currencies can be converted against the Saudi riyal. Commercial banks exist throughout the country and in addition, money-changers deal in foreign currencies and often offer banking transactions.
Banking hours vary slightly from bank to bank but the typical hours are:
- Saturday to Wednesday: 0800-1230 and 1700-1900
- Thursday 0900-1230 Money-changers work longer hours.
Changing money is easy, as are currency transfers. Newspapers carry daily exchange rates for the major currencies against the Saudi riyal.
Clothing:
The religion and customs of Saudi Arabia dictate conservative dress for both men and women. Foreigners are given some leeway in the matter of dress, but they are expected to follow local customs, particularly in public places. As a general rule, foreign men should wear long trousers and shirts that cover the upper torso.
Foreign women should wear loose fitting skirts with hemlines well below the knee. Sleeves should be at least elbow length and the neckline modest. The best fashion guideline is "conceal rather than reveal".
Teenagers are also required to dress modestly in public places. Jeans should not be tight fitting and low necks and tank tops are not recommended. Shorts and bathing suits should not be worn in public.
Non-Muslim women living in Saudi Arabia often wear the abayah as a sign of respect for local customs.
Postal Service :
It is essential to use postal codes for all mail. Stamps are available at all post offices and other designated outlets.
Telegraph:
Telex and Fax: available at 24 hour telegraph service and telex facilities are available in the main Post Office and major hotels.
Internet :
Internet service is available in Cyber Cafes.
Transport :
Air - Because of the long distances which separate the main towns of the country, air travel is often the most convenient and practical way to travel within the Kingdom. The national airline, Saudia, operates a comprehensive network of domestic flights.
From Riyadh to Jeddah is a flight of just over an hour; from Riyadh to Dhahran on the east coast is a flight of just under an hour. There are about 24 domestic airports in the Kingdom and charter flights are available for transportation to some of the more remote desert sites.
Saudi Arabia has three international airports:
- King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh
- King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah
- King Fahad International Airport in Dhahran
Besides serving Saudia, these airports also serve a large number of international airlines. From all main airports there is limousine service to the traveller's destination. There is also a regular SAPTCO (Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company) bus service from the airports to various hotels and the centre of town.
Rail: A train service with first-class air-conditioned carriages runs daily between Riyadh and Dammam on the east coast.
Bus: SAPTCO (Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company) operates bus services with most towns and between the larger cities. The buses are comfortable and the fares are reasonable, generally lower than in the US or Europe. Each bus has a special section for women and children.
Taxis: Transport within the cities is not difficult as frequent taxis operate at reasonable, government-regulated fares which are metered.
Car Rental: Cars can be rented in most towns in Saudi Arabia. Residents of the Kingdom should hold a valid Saudi driver's licence. Visitors should have either a current driver's licence from their home country or an International licence. Right-hand driving, as in the US, is the rule.
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