Head of state, prime minister: King Abdullah Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Saud
Population
11,176,026
26,939,583
Life Expectancy
59.110 years
74.580 years
Capital City
Riyadh
Largest city
Camayenne (population: 1,871,240)
Riyadh (population: 4,205,960)
Human Development Index
0.423
0.835
GDP per capita
$25,700 US
Literacy Rate
29.5%
78.8%
Corruption Perception Index
1.6
3.5
Percentage of Women in Parliament
19.3%
0%
Wealthiest Citizens
NA
Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud ($13.3bn US)
Unemployment Rate
10.700%
Death Penalty
Legal
Legal
Political System
republic
monarchy
Independence date
23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)
Religions
Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
Muslim 100%
Languages
French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language
Arabic
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products 90%
External Debt
$127,400,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar - 3.75 (2008 est.), 3.745 (2007), 3.745 (2006), 3.747 (2005), 3.75 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
9.100%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen
Area
245,857 km sq
2,149,690 km sq
Coastline
320 km
2,640 km
Climate
generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
