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Saudi Arabia Country Handbook This Handbook Provides Basic Reference

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Saudi Arabia Country Handbook This Handbook Provides Basic Reference Saudi Arabia Country Handbook This handbook provides basic reference information on Saudi Arabia, includ­ ing its geography, history, government, military forces, and communications and transportation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military per­ sonnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their as­ signment to Saudi Arabia. The Marine Corps Intel ligence Activity is the community coordinator for the Country Hand book Program. This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense Intelligence Community position on Saudi Arabia. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and gov­ ernment personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, NATO member countries, and other countries as required and desig­ nated for support of coalition operations. The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for research, comment, and information reporting, and are intended for fair use by designated personnel in their official duties, including local reproduction for training. Further dissemination of copyrighted material contained in this document, to include ex­ cerpts and graphics, is strictly prohibited under Title 17, U.S. Code. CONTENTS KEY FACTS .................................................................... 1 U.S. MISSION ................................................................. 2 U.S. Embassy .............................................................. 3 U.S. Consulate – Jiddah .............................................. 3 Travel Advisories ....................................................... 6 Entry Requirements .................................................... 7 Passport/Visa Requirements ................................. 7 Immunization Requirements ................................. 8 Customs Restrictions ............................................ 8 Credit Cards/Banking ........................................... 9 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE .................................... 10 Geography .................................................................. 10 Land Statistics ........................................................ 10 Boundaries ............................................................. 10 Border Disputes .................................................... 11 Bodies of Water ..................................................... 11 Topography ........................................................... 12 Climate ........................................................................ 15 Temperature .......................................................... 15 Precipitation .......................................................... 18 Phenomena ............................................................ 19 Environment .......................................................... 19 Cross Country Movement ..................................... 20 TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION .......... 21 Transportation ............................................................. 21 Roads ..................................................................... 21 Bus/Public Transportation ..................................... 23 Rail ........................................................................ 25 iii CONTENTS (CONTINUED) Air .......................................................................... 25 Maritime ............................................................... 29 Communication ........................................................... 30 Radio and Television .............................................. 30 Telecommunication ............................................... 32 Internet .................................................................. 33 Newspapers and Magazines .................................. 33 Postal Service ......................................................... 35 Satellites ................................................................. 36 CULTURE ....................................................................... 36 Statistics (2007) .......................................................... 36 Ethnic Density ............................................................ 36 Society ........................................................................ 37 People .................................................................... 39 Ethnic Groups ........................................................ 40 Family ......................................................................... 40 Roles of Men and Women ...................................... 40 Rites of Passage ..................................................... 41 Education and Literacy .............................................. 42 Language ..................................................................... 44 Religion ....................................................................... 44 Recreation ................................................................... 47 Customs and Courtesies .............................................. 49 Greetings ................................................................ 50 Gestures ................................................................. 50 Cultural Considerations .............................................. 51 Dress Standards ..................................................... 51 Food ....................................................................... 52 Interpersonal Relations .......................................... 53 iv CONTENTS (CONTINUED) MEDICAL ASSESSMENT ............................................. 54 Disease Risks to Deployed Personnel ......................... 54 Medical Capabilities ................................................... 57 Key Medical Facilities ........................................... 59 HISTORY ........................................................................ 61 Early History ............................................................... 61 Recent History ............................................................ 66 Chronology ................................................................. 66 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS .................................. 67 Government ................................................................ 67 National Level ........................................................ 68 Local Level ........................................................... 69 Politics ....................................................................... 71 Political Parties ...................................................... 71 Foreign Relations .................................................. 73 International Organizations .................................... 76 ECONOMY ..................................................................... 77 Statistics (2007 Estimates) .......................................... 80 Resources .................................................................... 80 Industry ...................................................................... 81 Foreign Investment ...................................................... 87 Outlook ....................................................................... 89 THREAT .......................................................................... 89 Terrorism .................................................................... 89 Crime .......................................................................... 90 Travel Security ............................................................ 91 Internal Opposition ..................................................... 91 v CONTENTS (CONTINUED) ARMED FORCES ........................................................... 92 Organization ................................................................ 92 Threat Perception ........................................................ 93 Military Statistics ........................................................ 93 Defense Treaties .......................................................... 93 Personnel ..................................................................... 94 Expansion .................................................................... 94 Army – Royal Saudi Land Force ................................ 95 Mission .................................................................. 95 Organization ........................................................... 95 Facilities ................................................................. 95 Key Military Personnel .......................................... 97 Training ................................................................. 97 Equipment .............................................................. 100 Army – Saudi Arabian National Guard ....................... 101 Mission .................................................................. 101 Organization ........................................................... 102 Facilities ................................................................. 102 Key Defense Personnel .......................................... 102 Personnel ................................................................ 103 Training .................................................................. 103 Equipment .............................................................. 103 Navy – Royal Saudi Naval Force ............................... 105 Personnel ................................................................ 106 Equipment .............................................................. 106 Mission .................................................................
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