Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/206.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 12KB | 321 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\SaudiAr.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Saudi Arabia"}



{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Saudi Arabia, click {z,"32.542751,12.796636,59.351444,33.209772",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 1,960,582 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 1,960,582 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US

{2}Land boundaries:{4}
{3}total:{4} 4,415 km
{3}border countries:{4} Iraq 814 km, Jordan 728 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE
457 km, Yemen 1,458 km

{2}Coastline:{4} 2,640 km

{2}Maritime claims:{4}
contiguous zone: 18 nm
{3}continental shelf:{4} not specified
{3}territorial sea:{4} 12 nm

{2}International disputes:{4} large section of boundary with Yemen not defined; location and status of
boundary with UAE is not final, defacto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; Kuwaiti ownership of
Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands is disputed by Saudi Arabia; 1965 boundary with Qatar,
renegotiated and revised in 1992, but not official depiction

{2}Climate:{4} harsh, dry desert with great extremes of temperature

{2}Terrain:{4} mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
{3}lowest point:{4} Persian Gulf 0 m
{3}highest point:{4} Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 1%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 0%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 39%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 1%
{3}other:{4} 59%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} 4,350 sq km (1989 est.)

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial
rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater
desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills

{2}natural hazards:{4} frequent sand and dust storms

{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection;
signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea

{2}Geographic note:{4} extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on
shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 19,409,058 (July 1996 est.)

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 43% (male 4,228,660; female 4,103,622)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 55% (male 6,393,384; female 4,240,535)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 2% (male 227,789; female 215,068) (July 1996 est.)

{2}Population growth rate:{4} 3.45% (1996 est.)

{2}Birth rate:{4} 38.32 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 5.36 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} 1.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.05 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.03 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 1.51 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 1.06 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 1.27 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 46.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 69 years
{3}male:{4} 67.25 years
{3}female:{4} 70.84 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 6.45 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Saudi(s)
{3}adjective:{4} Saudi or Saudi Arabian

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

{2}Religions:{4} Muslim 100%

{2}Languages:{4} Arabic

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 62.8%
{3}male:{4} 71.5%
{3}female:{4} 50.2%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
{3}conventional short form:{4} Saudi Arabia
{3}local long form:{4} Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
{3}local short form:{4} Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

{2}Type of government:{4} monarchy

{2}Capital:{4} Riyadh

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 13 provinces (mintaqah, singular - mintaqat); Al Bahah, Al Hudud Ash
Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir,
Hail, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk

{2}Independence:{4} 23 September 1932 (unification)

{2}National holiday:{4} Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

{2}Constitution:{4} none; governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law)

{2}Legal system:{4} based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial
disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

{2}Suffrage:{4} none

{2}Executive branch:{4}
chief of state and head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
(since 13 June 1982) is an absolute monarch; Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister
ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the king, heir to the throne since 13 June
1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996)
{3}cabinet:{4} Council of Ministers is dominated by royal family members appointed by the king

{2}Legislative branch:{4} a consultative council composed of 60 members and a chairman who are
appointed by the king for a term of four years

{2}Judicial branch:{4} Supreme Council of Justice

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} none allowed

{2}International organization participation:{4} ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-
19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
{3}chancery:{4} 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone]
{3}consulate(s) general:{4} Houston, Los Angeles, and New York

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Raymond E. MABUS, Jr.
{3}embassy:{4} Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
{3}mailing address:{4} American Embassy-Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail:
P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
{3}telephone:{4} [966] (1) 488-3800
{3}FAX:{4} [966] (1) 488-7360
{3}consulate(s) general:{4} Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

{2}Flag:{4} green with large white Arabic script (that may be translated as There is no God but God;
Muhammad is the Messenger of God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist
side); green is the traditional color of Islam


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} This is a well-to-do oil-based economy with strong government controls over
major economic activities. About 40% of GDP comes from the private sector. Economic (as well
as political) ties with the US are especially strong. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75%
of budget revenues, 35% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. Saudi Arabia has the largest
reserves of petroleum in the world (26% of the proved total), ranks as the largest exporter of
petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. For the 1990s the government intends to bring its
budget, which has been in deficit since 1983, back into balance, and to encourage private
economic activity. Roughly four million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi
economy, for example, in the oil and banking sectors. For over a decade, Saudi Arabia's domestic
and international outlays have outstripped its income, and the government has cut its foreign
assistance and is beginning to rein in domestic programs. For 1996, the country looks to its
policies of maintaining moderate fiscal reforms, restraining public spending, and encouraging non-
oil exports.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $189.3 billion (1995 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} 0% (1995 est.)

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $10,100 (1995 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} 9%
{3}industry:{4} 50%
{3}services:{4} 41% (1994 est.)

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 5% (1995 est.)

{2}Labor force:{4} 6 million-7 million
{3}by occupation:{4} government 40%, industry, construction, and oil 25%, services 30%, agriculture
5%

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} 6.5% (1992 est.)

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $35.1 billion
{3}expenditures:{4} $40 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)

{2}Industries:{4} crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, two small steel-
rolling mills, construction, fertilizer, plastics

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} 17% (1994 est.)

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 17,550,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 46 billion kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 2,430 kWh (1993)

{2}Agriculture:{4} wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk

{2}Illicit drugs:{4} death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin and cocaine

{2}Exports:{4} $41.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
{3}commodities:{4} petroleum and petroleum products 90%
{3}partners:{4} US 17%, Japan 17%, South Korea 8%, Singapore 7%, France 5% (1994)

{2}Imports:{4} $21.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
{3}commodities:{4} machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, motor vehicles, textiles
{3}partners:{4} US 21%, Japan 12%, UK 8%, Germany 8%, Italy 5% (1994)

{2}External debt:{4} $18.9 billion (December 1989 est., includes short-term trade credits)

{2}Economic aid:{4}
donor: pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon

{2}Currency:{4} 1 Saudi riyal (SR) = 100 halalah

{2}Exchange rates:{4} Saudi riyals (SR) per US$1 - 3.7450 (fixed rate since late 1986)

{2}Fiscal year:{4} calendar year


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 1,390 km
standard gauge: 1,390 km 1.435-m gauge (448 km double track) (1992)

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 151,532 km
{3}paved:{4} 60,613 km
{3}unpaved:{4} 90,919 km (1992 est.)

{2}Pipelines:{4} crude oil 6,400 km; petroleum products 150 km; natural gas 2,200 km (includes natural
gas liquids 1,600 km)

{2}Ports:{4} Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh, Ra's al Khafji, Al Mishab, Ras
Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah

{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 76 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 944,946 GRT/1,322,167 DWT
{3}ships by type:{4} bulk 1, cargo 13, chemical tanker 5, container 3, liquefied gas tanker 1, livestock
carrier 4, oil tanker 22, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13, short-sea
passenger 9 (1995 est.)

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 175
{3}with paved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 30
{3}with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 11
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 22
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 4
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 13
{3}with unpaved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 1
{3}with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 4
{3}with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 66
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 24 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 4 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} 1.46 million (1993)

{2}Telephone system:{4} modern system
{3}domestic:{4} extensive microwave radio relay and coaxial and fiber-optic cable systems
{3}international:{4} microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan;
coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; satellite earth
stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian
Ocean region)

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 43, FM 13, shortwave 0

{2}Radios:{4} 5 million (1993 est.)

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 80

{2}Televisions:{4} 4.5 million (1993 est.)


{1}Defense{4}

{2}Branches:{4} Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Coast Guard,
Frontier Forces, Public Security Force

{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 5,405,828
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 3,005,900
{3}males reach military age (18) annually:{4} 165,010 (1996 est.)

{2}Defense expenditures:{4} exchange rate conversion - $12.1 billion, 8.5% of GDP (1996)