Saudi Arabia Location: Southwest Asia Borders: North: Jordan & Iraq , South: Yemen & Oman Study of a Nation Population: Over 31 Millions West: Red Sea East: Arabian Gulf/Kuwait/Bahrain/Qatar & UAE

Government Geography Natural Hazards History Saudi Arabia was an absolute monarchy until 1992, at  Saudi Arabia is located • Sand & dust storms  18000-13000 BC: Evidence of human which time the Saud royal family introduced the in south western Asia. It are active during April existence in a form of hunters-gatherers. country's first constitution, named the “Basic Law,” occupies most of the Arabian - July in the north and  1500-12000 BC: After the European ice the legal system based on Islamic Sharia (law). Peninsula, with the Red Sea central areas. cap melted, the climate became dry. Vast Today’s Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and & the Gulf of Aqaba to the • Sun-strokes during lush and green lands turned into deserts home to Islam's 2 of the 3 holiest places, The Holy west. The Arabian Gulf, hot summer days are leaving behind (wadis) and dry river beds. Mosque in Makkah & the Prophet’s Mosque in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar & the common even in urban  10000 BC: Displaced people due to the areas. Temperatures Medina. UAE to the East. Jordan & Iraq to the north climate change moved into agriculture and Yemen & Oman to the south. Farthest 2 under direct sun could reach 160ᵒ F. King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud is centers near oases and foothills establishing points are about 2400 Km/1500 miles. • Droughts & Flash Floods: On average, the central- the monarch since 2015. The king's small villages and towns.  Saudi has the world's largest continuous west of Saudi  official title is: Custodian of the Two 9500-4500 BC: The development of sand desert, Rub Al-Khali (Empty Quarter). is drought stricken year agriculture brought other advances. Pottery Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state Area: 2,149,690 sq km, twice the size of round. Sometimes allowed farmers to store food. Animals, was founded in 1932. California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho heavy rains fall causing including goats, cattle, sheep, horses and Conventional Long Name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia combined, or slightly more than 1/4 the On average 2 major camels, were domesticated, and people Local Short Name: Al Mamlaka Language: Arabic area of the USA. flashfloods per year abandoned hunting altogether. Capital: Riyadh (Population: 4.8 Millions)  Land Boundaries: 7,071 km (Qatar 60 km, causing the death of about 51 people.  4500-1000 BC: Located between the two Riyadh Metro: 5.2 Millions Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Jordan 744 km, • Epidemics: Saudi receives about 25 million pilgrims & great centers of civilization, the Nile River Administrative Divisions: 13 Governorates (Provinces). Iraq 814 km, Yemen 1,458 km, Arabian Gulf 840 visitors Valley and Mesopotamia, the Arabian 1- Jouf 2- Shimaliyah 3- Tabouk 4- Hael 5- Madina 6- km and Read Sea 1800 km. every year. During the Peninsula was crucial in the development of Qaseem 7- Makkah 8- Riyadh 9- Sharqiyah 10- Baaha  Maritime Claim: 12 nautical miles peak pilgrimage season trade on caravan routes. 11- Asir 12- Jazan 13- Najran  Climate: Harsh & dry desert with great about 3 million people  610 AD: Start of the Islamic religion in the thriving commercial center of Makkah. 7 Most Populated temperature extremes. Very hot and humid in the from about 180 Eastern Division on the Gulf. countries converge on Prophet Muhammad started inviting people Divisions (in Millions)  Annual Rainfall varies by location. Most of the Saudi within a 3 week-period. Viruses end up to Islam after receiving a message from God • Makkah 6.9 eastern areas receive between 80-100 mm/year. killing about 27 people on average per year. (Allah in Arabic) through the angel Gabriel.  • Riyadh 6.8 The Empty Quarter desert & the NW areas receive Politics: 622 AD: The Prophet & Muslims migrated to the town of Yathrib, later became known • Sharqiyah 4.1 about 20 -60 mm/year. Upper central areas and Saudi Arabia is a member of: as City of the Prophet (Madinah). • Asir 1.93 the lower SW receive 140-3000 mm/year. •Arab League of Nations.  632 AD: Marks the year of the death of • Medina 1.5  Temperature AVGs: •Arab Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Prophet Muhammed, as well as the Islamic • Jazaan 1.4 (AOPEC). • Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Summer: 112°F Fall & Spring: 78°F Winter: 50°F expansion outside the Arabian Peninsula. • Qaeem 1.2 •International Court of Justice (ICJ).  Terrain: Mostly desert plateau in the E & S. .Recent History Executive branch: King Salman has two roles, Chief of The W and SW have highlands & some green •International Criminal Court (ICC).  1744: The first Saudi State was established State and Prime Minister. Heir Apparent Crown vegetation. High mountains and tempered •International Monetary Fund (IMF). in Diryya (Center of the Arabian Peninsula) by Prince Muhammed Bin Salman Al Saud is also the climate in the SW near Yemen. Highest point is •Organization Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Muhammad bin Saud. acting deputy PM and Minister of Defense. •Organization Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Jabal Sawda (3,133 m/10279 ft) in the SW near  1788: The Saudi State rules the whole Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the •World Bank (WB) •World Health Organization (WHO). the Red Sea & the lowest point area is at Arabian peninsula except Hijaz in the west. monarch every four years, mostly made up of the  Strong U.S. Saudi Relations: Saudi 0m/0ft by the northern tip of Arabian Gulf.  1818: The Ottomans Islamic State feeling royal family. supported the U.S. efforts during WWII and threatened by Bin Saud‘s expansion attacked Elections: None; the monarchy is hereditary; but an Vietnam by providing fuel and logistics. the Saudi State & drove them out of power. Allegiance Commission selects the new king.  Desert Shield & Desert Storm: Saudi played  1818 - 1891: Multiple attempts of Al-Saud Legislative branch: Consultative Council is made up  Agriculture: Due to scarcity of water, wide a huge role in the U.S. campaign to defeat family to re-establish the Saudi State. of 150 members & a monarch appointed chairman. scale agriculture is restricted to the Asir province Iraqi forces after the occupation of Kuwait.  1902: AbdulAziz raids & takes over Riyadh Judicial Branch: High Court, Court of Appeals; first- & to some oases that utilize aquifers waters.  Active member in the Global War On Terrorism (GWOT) marking the beginning today’s Saudi Arabia. degree courts composed of general, criminal,  Water: Water sources are limited to rainfall joining with the U.S. efforts, and part of the coalition to  1932: September 23 official adoption of personal status, and commercial courts, and the and aquifers in most of Saudi. Asir is the only defeat ISIL/ISIS. the name “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” Labor Court. Judges are reviewed by the Supreme area that has snow melts and natural springs  Was an active member (till mid 2016) in supporting 2017: September 25, King Salman issue a Judiciary Council every 2 years. year round. Syrian rebels against Syrian regime dictatorship. supreme order permitting women to drive. Saudi Arabia Location: Southwest Asia Borders: North: Jordan & Iraq , South: Yemen & Oman Study of a Nation Population: Over 31 Millions West: Red Sea East: Arabian Gulf/Kuwait/Bahrain/Qatar & UAE

Religion Regional & Int’l Affairs Greetings: English  Arabic: Numbers Islam is the religion of the state in the Kingdom of 1979 Taif Agreement: Also known as Initiating: Hello  Mar-Ha-ba (informal) 1  WaHad Saudi Arabia. The Holy Quran is officially its “National Reconciliation Accord,“ was an Response: Hello  Mar-Hab-tain. 2  Ithnain constitution. Religious tolerance & respect of agreement reached to provide "the basis Initiating: Hello  Assalamu Alaikum (formal) 3  Thalatha expatriates is expected by all residents in Saudi. for ending the civil war and the return of ’ political normalcy to Lebanon. Response: Hello  Wa ’Alaikum assalaam. 4  Arba’Aa Proselytization by non-Muslims is banned & could 5  Khamsa be grounds for deportation, imprisonment or death. 2001 – Current Initiating: Good morning  Sabaa-Hil Khair 6  Sit-ta Active participant in OEF and was very Response: Good morning  Sabaa-Hil Khair. Shahadah: Accepting that Allah is the active in OIF. Member of the GWOR. 7  Sab-’aa only God and Prophet Muhammad is 2005 Initiating: Good evening  Massa-il Khair 8  Thaman-ya his messenger. First Municipal elections in the history of Response: Good evening Massa-inn-noor. 9  Tiss-’aa the kingdom, promoted by king Fahd. Initiating: How are you?  Keef al-Haal? 10  ‘Aasha-ra Salaah (Prayer): Accept the five daily 2011 – Current prayers as one of the five pillars of Response: I’m fine, thanks Ana be-khair, shuk-run. Unrest in Bahrain (18 miles away) which Colors Islam. might spill into the Eastern province of Initiating: Goodbye  Salaam Black: Aswad Blue: Azraq Saudi with a large Shiite concentration. Response: Goodbye  Salaam, or, Allah wee-yaak. Zakaah (Obligatory Charity): Red: AHmar White: AbyaD Expectations: Self Introduction, English  Arabic: Performing the act of giving zakaah at About 6 million expatriates live in Saudi Brown: Bonnee Yellow: Asfar 2.5% of net annual savings. Arabia from over 80 different countries. My name is CPT Miller  Iss-me in-naqeeb Miller Majority of the expatriates practice other You are welcomed  Ahlan wa sah-lan be-ka Ramadaan: Is the name of the Islamic faiths besides Islam. Tolerance of other fasting month. Fasting starts at early Thanks a lot  Shukran jazeelan Directions faiths is strictly enforced and violators Please have a seat  Tafa-Dull ijliss dawn until sunset. could be deported or imprisoned because North: Shamal South: Janoob the authorities view these violations as a Happy to meet you  Sa-’Aeed bimqa-bell-tak East: Sharq West: Gharb Hajj (Pilgrimage): Every able Muslim National Security threat. See you later  Ilal-lee-qaa males or females should perform Hajj DOs once in a lifetime. • Respect the law & values of the locals. Enlisted Ranks: Vice SGT: Wakeel Raqeeb Saudi Arabia Ground Forces Shield Key Islamic Religious Terms: • Dress very conservatively. • Bring along pain killer prescriptions. PVT/PV2: Quraan/Quran/Koran: Islam’s Holy Book, Allah’s • Expect long & warm hand shakes. Jundee SGT: Raqeeb revelation to Prophet Muhammad. • Place hand over heart after shaking. Hadith/Hadeeth: Authenticated sayings, behavior • Handle food & drinks with the right PFC: 1SG: Raqeeb Aw-well and life of the Prophet Muhammad. hand. Jundee Aw-well • Give/receive gifts with the right hand. Shari’aah/Shari’ah: Islamic law of jurisprudence. CPL/SPC: Mosque/Masjid: Muslim house of worship. • Accept coffee (Kahwa) & tea (shaayy) . MSG: Ra-ees Roqaba • Remove your shoes upon entering a ‘Aa-reef Imam/Imaam: Leader of prayers in a mosque. Also a home. [Get your clue from host]. notable scholarly jurist. • Remove dark sunglasses when shaking MILITARY OFFICERS RANKS: Fatwā: Is an Islamic legal pronouncement. hands. Madrasah: School, regardless if it is religious school DON’Ts 2LT: Molaazim 1LT: Molaazim CPT: Naqeeb MAJ: Raa-ed or not. Aw-well Jihaad/Jihad: Exertion of effort to do the best a • Use or deal drugs, the penalty is DEATH. person can do. • Drink and drive, ZERO tolerance. • Use the “F” word or cussing. InshaAllah: God willing. Mostly used to show intent • Photograph people before asking. LTC: Moqadam COL: ‘Aa-qeed BG: ’Aameed MG: Lee-waa of doing future actions. • In the month of Ramadaan, eating, Al-Hamdu-liLaah: All praises are due to God. Mostly drinking or chewing gum in public. used after eating or drinking. • Talk to or approach women. LTG: Fareeq GEN: Fareeq Yarham-kal-Laah: Is an expression used when Saudi police ranks mirror • Pass in front of people while praying in Awwell someone sneezes, similar to saying “God bless You.” parks or on the side of a road. the military ranks.