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| Facts About Saudi Arabia |
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- Facts and Statistics Facts & Statistics Country Name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Capital City: Riyadh. Language: Arabic. Religion: Islam. Currency: Saudi Riyal (SR). US$ 1 = SR 3.75. Independence Day: 23 September 1932 (unification of the Kingdom). Government Type: Monarchy with a Consultative Council and a Council of Ministers. Constitution: The Holy Qur'an is the constitution while governance is according to Islamic law. The Basic Law was introduced in 1993 articulating the government's rights and responsibilities. Legal System: Based on Islamic law. Civic Participation: Municipal elections were incrementally introduced in 2005. Executive Branch: The Chief of State, Head of Government, and Prime Minister is King Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud. Legislative Branch: The Consultative Council. Judicial Branch: Supreme Council of Justice, Islamic Courts of First Instance and Appeals. Administrative Divisions: Al Bahah, Al Hudud Al Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Al Riyadh, Al Sharqiya, 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk. Climate: Dry desert climate of high temperature extremes with humidity along the coastal lines. Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper. Population: 24 million *** Population Growth (annual %): 2.3% *** Life Expectancy (years): 72.2 *** Fertility Rate (births per woman): 4.1 *** Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000 live births): 21 per 1000 lives births*** Under 5 Mortality Rate (per 1,000 children): 27 *** Literacy Total (% of ages 15 and above): 82.9% *** GDP (current, million SR): 804,232 * GDP (real, million SR): 682,982 * GDP Growth (real, annual %): -0.1% *** * Source: Central Department of Statistics, Ministry of Planning & Economy, 2003.
Historical Timeline 1880 Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud (Ibn Saud) is born in Riyadh, but is exiled with his family to Kuwait at the age of 10. 1902 Abdul Aziz Al Saud recaptures the city of Riyadh, beginning the process of unification. 1906 Najd is united. 1924 Mecca is united. 1926 Asir is united. 1925 Madina is united. 1932 The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is unified with King Abdul Aziz Al Saud assuming the throne. 1936 Oil is discovered. 1938/1939 Commercial production of oil begins, allowing for start of modernization. 1945 Saudi Arabia becomes one of the original 51 chartered members of the United Nations. 1953 King Saud bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud assumes the throne. 1958 Legislative and executive powers are granted to the prime minister. The cabinet system is introduced. 1964 King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud assumes the throne. King Faisal modernizes the government and its administration. 1969/1970 The First Development Plan is introduced. 1975 King Khalid bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud assumes the throne, overseeing the nation's growth and industrialization. 1982 King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud assumes the throne, continuing the nation's growth and modernization. 1992 The Consultative Council (Majlis al Shura) is established. The Provincial Act is introduced. 1993 The Basic Law is introduced. 2003 The Consultative Council is given authority to propose new laws. 2005 Municipal elections are introduced. |
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