Overview
Saudi Arabia, officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country located in West Asia, at the heart of the Middle East. It occupies the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and spans a land area of approximately 2,150,000 square kilometres (830,000 square miles). This makes it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the largest country in the Middle East, and the twelfth-largest nation in the world by land area.
Geography and Borders
Saudi Arabia occupies a strategic position in the Middle East, bordered by several countries and bodies of water. Its geography includes:
- The Red Sea to the west
- Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait to the north
- The Arabian Gulf, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to the east
- Oman to the southeast
- Yemen to the south
In the northwest, the Gulf of Aqaba separates Saudi Arabia from Egypt and Israel. Notably, Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world with coastlines along both the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, giving it access to two major maritime trade routes.
Terrain and Landscape
The Saudi Arabian landscape is predominantly characterized by arid desert conditions. The terrain includes vast stretches of lowland, steppe regions, and mountain ranges, reflecting the country's largely dry and rugged natural environment. This desert-dominated geography has shaped much of the nation's history, culture, and patterns of settlement.
Major Cities
The capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh, which serves as the political and economic center of the country. Other significant urban centers include:
- Jeddah, a major port city on the Red Sea coast
- Mecca, the holiest city in Islam
- Medina, the second holiest city in Islam
Mecca and Medina hold profound religious significance, as they are considered the two holiest cities in Islam and attract millions of pilgrims from around the world each year.
Population
Saudi Arabia has a population of approximately 33.7 million people, making it the sixth most populous country within the Arab world. This population is distributed across the country's various urban centers and regions, with significant concentrations in the major cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina.