Saudi Arabia

GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES

• Part of the Arabian Peninsula • Saudi Arabia is one fourth

the size of the United States• Deserts cover much of the

east and south• There are mountain ranges in

the southwest• There are no rivers or lakes• The Red Sea borders the

west and the Persian Gulf borders the east• Largest oil reserve known to man.

Saudi Arabia

Deserts

• These deserts have historically provided the Middle East with natural barriers against invasion

• Rub al-Khali, or Empty Quarter,” in southern Saudi Arabia. • the Empty Quarter is the

largest sand desert in the world.

Wadis – Instant Springs

Wadis

Wadis are dry stream beds that fill with water only after rainfall in a desert or steppe region.

Desert Oasis: Water at a Premium!

OASISOasis is a place where

water comes to the surface in desert area.

"oasis" is believed to come from an ancient Egyptian word, "wah," meaning "fertile place in the desert."

Religion

Islam-The Big PictureThe Prophet Muhammad receives the

revelation of the Qu’ran in 610Qu’ran is the holy book of

IslamThe two holiest cities of

Islam are Makkah & Medina• Makkah

• Medina

Pil

Pilgrims On The Road toAnd CampedOutside of Makkah

Al-Haram Mosque Holds the Kaaba

The Kaaba

Located in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, the Kaaba is the most sacred site for Muslims. A Muslim must take the hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca at least once in his/her life.

LanguageArabic

CalligraphyRevered art in Saudi ArabiaPrimary subject matter has historically been

the Holy Qur’an

Daily Life

Climate of countryTemperatures can

reach over 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the desert in the summer,

In the winter temperatures in the north and central parts of the country can drop below freezing.

Very little rain, only about four inches a year on average.

Fresh Groundwater Sources

DesalinizationPlants

SportsSoccer, camel racing,

volleyball, swimming, and basketball.

Camels start racing when they are two years old.

They practice running every day.

History

Saudi Arabia

An Ancient Trade CenterLocated between the two great centers of

civilization, the Nile River Valley and Mesopotamia

The Birth of IslamYear 610, Muhammad, received a message from

God in Makkah622, the Prophet led his followers to Medina

The Islamic Empire 100 years after the birth of Islam,

the Islamic Empire extended from Spain to parts of India and China

Caliph religious and political leaders of the empire or caliphate

Saudi Arabia1902, Abdul Aziz captured Riyadh & set on a 30-

year campaign to unify the Arabian PeninsulaThe modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by

King Abdul-Aziz Housed the Kuwaiti Royal family and 400,000

refugees after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990Allowed Western and Arab troops to deploy on its

soil for the liberation of Kuwait during Desert Storm in 1991.

The presence of US troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003

Government of Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia is a MonarchyAbdallah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud is the King

and Prime MinisterIslamic (sharia) legal systemTo vote 21 years of age; maleNational symbol: palm tree surmounting two

crossed swords

Saudi Arabia

Population: 26.6 millionIncludes 5.5 million non-nationals

Ethnic groups: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%82% of total population Urban

Desert Bedouins

Food and PeopleMost popular food

in Saudi Arabia is kabsa which is rice and meat

Arabic tea is also a famous custom

Some family members live in separate houses, but many extended families live together.

WomenWomen cannot vote or be elected to high

political positions.Women will be able to vote and run in the 2015

local electionsSaudi Arabia is the only country in the world

that prohibits women from driving.There is evidence that many women in

Saudi Arabia do not want radical change

Niqab

Saudi Oil Fields & Refineries

Saudi Arabia20% of the world's proven oil reserves

Largest of any countryOil industry 45% of economy

Leading U. S. Oil Suppliers

AgricultureLand useable for farming: 1.67%Exports wheat, dates, dairy products, eggs,

fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables and flowers to markets around the world

Arabian PeninsulaSaudi ArabiaOmanYemen Persian Gulf StatesKuwaitBahrainQatarUnited Arab Emirates

The EndWhere is Mr. Murphy?