Saudi Arabia covers most of the Arabian Peninsula, holds Islam's two holiest cities — Mecca and Medina — and possesses some of the world's largest petroleum reserves.
Geography & landscape
Saudi Arabia sits in Western Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 2,149,690 km², it is a continental-scale country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Riyadh, lies near coordinates 24°, 45°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Western Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Saudi Arabia.
People & society
The population of Saudi Arabia is around 36M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Arabic, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Saudi Arabia is structured as a absolute monarchy. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Riyadh, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal (SAR). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Riyadh and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Saudi Arabia shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Saudi Arabia through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Riyadh, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +966, and clocks are set to the AST (UTC+3) time zone. ISO standards identify Saudi Arabia as SA (alpha-2) and SAU (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇸🇦, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Riyadh | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Western Asia | — |
| Population | 36M | people |
| Area | 2,149,690 | km² |
| Currency | Saudi Riyal (SAR) | — |
| Calling code | +966 | international dialling |
| Time zone | AST (UTC+3) | standard time |
| Government type | Absolute monarchy | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | SA | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | SAU | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 24 | degrees |
| Longitude | 45 | degrees |
Did you know?
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world named after its ruling royal family — the House of Saud.
