overview
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
ٱلْمَمْلَكَة ٱلْعَرَبِيَّة ٱلسَّعُوْدِيَّة
country information
Flag
Neighbours
Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait,
Oman, Qatar, UAE, Yemen
Capital
Ryadh
DRIVING SIDE: Right
INTERNET CODE: .sa
TOME ZONE: UTC +3
COUNTRY TEL CODE: +966
COASTLINE:
Borders on Gulf of Aqaba & Red Sea
(totals 1800km) and the Persian Gulf (700km)
population
34.7 million
religion
Government does not hold any census on religion
Claims:
Islam 100% (Sunni 85-90%, Shia 10-15%)
president & parliament
King: Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud
Designated Successor and Deputy Prime Minister: Mohammad bin Salman al Saud
Ruling Party: The king is both head of state and government
Totalitarian absolute monarchy
minority & majority groups
Majority: Arab / Saudis (>90%)
Minority: Bedouin tribes, Afro-Asian (10% – largest minority)
LANGUAGE
Arabic
Hello: السلامعليكم
As-sa-lam a-lay-kum
Yes: نعم Na’am
No: لا La
Thank you: شكرا Shukran
C U R R E N C Y &
E X C H A N G E R AT E
Saudi Riyal SAR (﷼, SR, ر.س)
1 USD = 3.75 SAR
1 SAR = 5.06 ZAR
VACCINATIONS
No compulsory vaccinations
Recommended: Vaccinations for measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.
ELECTRICITY
Voltage Requirements: 110 / 220 V
Standard Frequency:
60 Hz
Power plugs & sockets are of type A, B, C & type G
TEMPERATURE
Ryadh
Winter: min. 9 °C – max. 23 °C
Summer: min. 28 °C – max. 44°C
Along both the western & eastern coasts of Saudi Arabia, the climate is desert. Particularly mild in winter, even warm in the central and southern part of the Red Sea coast. In summer it’s very hot everywhere.
DIPLOMATIC TIES / AIRPORTS / CARRIERS / NGO’S
EMBASSY / CONSULAR PRESENCE
The Consulate of South Africa in Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)
King Khalid Road, Um Al-Hammam East, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA
+9 661 4429716
+9 661 4429720
Visit website: https://www.gov.za/about-government/contact-directory/representatives-rsa/representatives-rsa/saudi-arabia-kingdom
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS & CARRIERS
Saudi Arabia has two major airlines:
Saudi Arabian Airlines
NasAir
They provide domestic and international service to cities around the world.
Saudi Airlines Cargo: transports packages, live animals, human remains, valuable items and perishables.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You should apply for a visa at least one month ahead of your intended travel date.
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months when you enter Saudi Arabia.
One page required for entry stamp.
MAIN AIRPORT(S)
King Abdulaziz International
Jeddah
King Khaled International
Ryadh
King Fahd International
Ad Dammam
Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz
Medina
NGO’S OPERATING IN COUNTRY & CONTACT DETAILS
- For more information, refer to Saudi Arabia: Detailed Profile
Climatestotravel. Saudi Arabia. Available from: https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/saudi-arabia
Power plugs and Sockets of the World. Saudi Arabia. Available from: https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/saudi-arabia/
Listen & Learn Blog. (2014). 10 Top Phrases for your Trip to Saudi Arabia. Available from: https://www.listenandlearnusa.com/blog/10-top-phrases-for-your-trip-to-saudi-arabia/
World Population Review. (2020). Saudi Arabia. Available from: https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/saudi-arabia-population/
