Saudi Arabia / المملكة العربية السعودية – Let’s explore here

Table of Contents

Mountains in the Arabian desert, Saudi Arabia — Mountains in the Arabian desert

What’s it like in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in western Asia. It’s a very hot and very dry country, mostly dominated by the Arabian desert, the Rub’ al Khali desert and various mountains. The Rub’ al Khali desert is the the world’s largest contiguous sand desert. It has no permanent rivers, although it does have many wadis. There are also more than 2000 dormant volcanoes and numerous lava fields. The highest point in the country is Jabal Soudah, at 9,892 ft (3,015 m) above sea level.

The country was formed in 1932, and shares its borders with Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE and Yemen, as well as sharing a causeway with Bahrain. It is also the location of both of the holiest cities in Islam.

The population of Saudi Arabia is around 32 million people, about ¼ of whom live in the capital, Riyadh. More than two in five of the population (2021) are expatriates or migrant workers for the oil and gas industries. It has a very young population, with around half of its citizens being under 25 years of age.

The Soudah mountains, Saudi Arabia — The Soudah mountains

A bit about the history of Saudi Arabia

Early History and Islam

The history of Saudi Arabia is deeply connected to the origins of Islam. The Arabian Peninsula, which includes the modern day country, was home to the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad in the 6th century. In the 7th century, Islam spread across the region, shaping the cultural, social and religious life of the Arabian Peninsula. The rise of Islamic empires such as the Umayyads and Abbasids influenced the region for centuries. The area later became part of various Islamic caliphates and tribal kingdoms.

The First Saudi State

In the 18th century, a religious leader and tribal chief united much of the Arabian Peninsula under a reformist movement known as Wahhabism. The first Saudi state was established in the mid 18th century, with its capital in Diriyah. However, this state was eventually destroyed by the Ottoman Empire in the early 19th century.

The Second Saudi State

The second Saudi state was founded in the early 19th century after the collapse of the first. It was also based on Wahhabism and sought to re-establish Saudi authority in the region. However, it faced constant challenges from regional powers, particularly the Ottomans. This state ultimately fell in 1891 after a series of defeats.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

In the early 20th century, the leader of the Al Saud family, Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, began unifying the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula through military conquest and diplomacy. By 1932, he successfully established the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, consolidating control over most of the Arabian Peninsula and uniting the various tribal regions into a single nation.

The Discovery of Oil

In the 1930s, vast oil reserves were discovered in Saudi Arabia, transforming the country’s economy. The revenue from oil enabled Saudi Arabia to modernise its infrastructure, military and economy. The country became one of the leading oil producers in the world, significantly increasing its global influence.

Modern Era and Development

Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Saudi Arabia continued to grow economically due to its oil wealth. The country also maintained strong political and religious influence in the Muslim world due to its status as the birthplace of Islam and the location of its two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia’s political system remained an absolute monarchy under the leadership of the Al Saud family, with ongoing social and economic reforms aimed at modernising the country. These efforts have included diversifying the economy through initiatives like Vision 2030, which seeks to reduce the country’s dependence on oil and encourage growth in sectors like tourism, entertainment and technology.

The Arabian desert, Saudi Arabia — The Arabian desert

The Rub' al Khali desert, Saudi Arabia — The Rub’ al Khali desert

Saudi Arabia road trip

On our Saudi Arabian road trip we’ll be travelling in and out of the country as we journey through all the gulf states. Hopefully this will improve our knowledge of this intriguing and beautiful country, and enable us to meet some interesting people. We’ll be updating this page at that time – don’t forget to check back 🙂

Map of Saudi Arabia

What’s it like to drive in Saudi Arabia?

They drive on the right hand side of the road in Saudi Arabia. In the main, roads are good condition, however many are dirt tracks, or just sand! Driving standards are quite good however.

Do you require an international driving permit in Saudi Arabia?

We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.

Can you use your UK driving license when driving through Saudi Arabia?

We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.

Do I need a carnet de passages to drive in Saudi Arabia?

We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.

What currency do they use in Saudi Arabia?

In Saudi Arabia they use the Saudi riyal. Cash is widely used. The use of credit / debit cards is very widely accepted. Travellers cheques are also readily accepted. There are many ATMs in cities and towns throughout the country.

You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.