Head of state, prime minister: King Abdullah Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Saud
Population
28,047,938
26,534,504
Life Expectancy
74.080 years
74.350 years
Capital City
Caracas
Riyadh
Largest city
Maracaibo (population: 2,225,000)
Riyadh (population: 4,205,960)
Human Development Index
0.826
0.835
GDP per capita
$12,700 US
$24,500 US
Literacy Rate
93%
78.8%
Corruption Perception Index
1.9
3.5
Percentage of Women in Parliament
18.6%
0%
Wealthiest Citizens
Gustavo Cisneros & family ($3.8bn US)
Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud ($13.3bn US)
Unemployment Rate
8.200%
10.900%
Death Penalty
Abolished
Legal
Political System
federal republic
monarchy
Independence date
5 July 1811 (from Spain)
23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)
Religions
nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Muslim 100%
Languages
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Arabic
Exports
petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures
petroleum and petroleum products 90%
External Debt
$89,600,000,000 $
$105,900,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
bolivars (VEB) per US dollar - 2.147 (2008 est.), 2,147 (2007), 2,147 (2006), 2,089.8 (2005), 1,891.3 (2004) note: On 1 January 2008 Venezuela revalued its currency with 1000 old bolivares equal to 1 new bolivar
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
1.200%
10.000%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
0
Location
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen
