As-salamu alaykum! Welcome to the land of shifting sands and soaring vision—Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the Middle East, occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula. There are around 36 million people living here, and the capital is Riyadh, a desert metropolis that blends historic mud-brick forts with some of the world’s most daring modern architecture. The official language is Arabic, and you’ll find that English is widely used in business and the growing tourism sector.
Saudi Arabia covers about 2,149,690 square kilometers (830,000 square miles). So the country is roughly one-fifth the size of the United States, or about the same size as Western Europe. It is dominated by the Rub’ al Khali (the Empty Quarter), the largest contiguous sand desert in the world, but it also features the snow-capped mountains of Tabuk and the vibrant coral reefs of the Red Sea.
The most popular sport is Football, and the passion for the game has reached new heights recently with the league attracting some of the world’s biggest stars. Their national animal is the Arabian Camel, an enduring symbol of desert life, though the Arabian Oryx is their celebrated national icon.
The flag consists of a green field with the Islamic creed (the Shahada) written in white Arabic script above a horizontal white sword, where the green represents Islam and the sword symbolizes the strength and justice of the house of Saud.
The food is a celebration of spice, hospitality, and communal dining. You must try Kabsa, the national dish made of fragrant long-grain rice topped with spiced meat, raisins, and nuts. Another favorite is Jareesh, crushed wheat cooked with yogurt and meat, often topped with caramelized onions. For a true local experience, you’ll be offered Saudi Coffee (Qahwa) flavored with cardamom and saffron, always served with sweet Dates.
Saudi Arabia is home to Hegra (AlUla), a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring remarkably preserved monumental tombs carved into sandstone cliffs, similar to Petra in Jordan. The country features the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, famous for its “sky bridge” that offers panoramic views of the desert city. You can visit the Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn), a dramatic geological wonder where cliffs drop away to reveal an ancient seabed. For a religious journey, the cities of Mecca and Medina are the holiest sites in Islam, attracting millions of pilgrims annually. Interestingly, the country is currently building The Line, a revolutionary 170-kilometer-long mirrored city that is part of the massive Neom project!
From the rose fields of Taif to the futuristic shores of the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia is a land of ancient heritage and rapid transformation. Shukran! That means “Thank you!”