Saudi Arabia is an Islamic Republic located in the Middle East. The country is on two continents with a population of about 27 million. The vast size of this country, the site of three holy cities, and control over Mecca and Medina make it one of the most important states in the Arab world. Saudi Arabia welcomes more than 9 million visitors annually from abroad who come for its traditional culture, vast open green spaces, and year-round sunlight.

So, are you excited to visit this wonderful country, get your flight tickets at Almosafer. Today we will present to you 15 Interesting Facts about Saudi Arabia.

Some Intriguing Facts About Saudi Arabia

1. The birthplace of Mohammed

In 610 A.D., a man named Prophet Mohammed was born in Mecca, a city near the Red Sea that is part of the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia. His birthplace is also called Makkah, located within its independent city-state. The people and archaeological discoveries from this area indicate that humans inhabited the area in prehistoric times.

2. Saudi Arabia has the most mosques built in a single year

In 2010, Saudi Arabia built more than 4,000 mosques across Saudi Arabia and its 22 provinces. This number is higher than the combined number of mosques built in Iran and Indonesia yearly. The Grand Mosque in Mecca, located inside the holy city of Makkah or Medina, is the largest in the world, with over 21 million square feet (3.2 km2) of area.

3. Sea beach

The Sea beaches like Umluj Beach, Indigo Beach, Al Fanateer Beach, Al Fida Beach and Al Tahera Beach are not only easier to access but also more beautiful than the desert sands. These beaches stretch along the coasts of Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Yanbu and Al Numan.

4. The Royal Family

The Saudi Royal Family is a branch of the Al Saud dynasty protected by strictly enforced laws. A son of the King always takes the title of prince and will be the first in the line to inherit the crown. His other brothers will have lower titles like Sheikh or Amir. The Members of the Saud royal family number in the thousands.

5. Clothing 

Children in Saudi Arabia wear traditional clothing known as the Abaya when going out. The women prefer to wear the full range of Abayas that cover their entire body and head. The men wear traditional prayer clothes known as the Khatteeb or thobe, a long brown garment that covers their heads. Male school children also wear white Jantaan or thobe, a long shirt-like garment, like a tunic, and loose-fitting pants worn over ankle slippers.

6. UNESCO World Heritage Site

The city of Jeddah is located north of Makkah and is the kingdom's commercial centre. The city was originally a small port town named "Jeda" that served as an outlet for goods transported by sea on their way to Makkah. The historic old town of Jeddah was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

7. Camel Market

The camel market in the vast desert region of Al-Balad is very famous among shoppers. It is a great place to buy camels, sheep, and goats. The market also has equipment and supplies used by nomads while they are on the move. The camels here are mainly imported from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Sudan.

8. Managing Seawater Desalination Plant

Saudi Arabia is home to only one desalination plant that provides several mineral water plants with water. The seawater desalination plant in Al-Khafji, Saudi Arabia, can desalinate up to 12 million cubic metres daily.

9. Glass Knife Market

Mecca's special knife market features the latest traditional and modern knives. The sale of knives in this traditional market has become popular despite the strict rules and regulations. It is considered a must to carry a knife on you while visiting the holy city of Mecca. A proper way to carry your knife is by having it carved on a wooden handle, so it does not get lost easily. The knives sold here are mostly imported from Japan and Korea.

10. Military Budget

The military spending of Saudi Arabia has made it the fourth highest in the world. The country spends about $56 billion yearly on its military, more than India and France's combined spending. The Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) is one of the least known but most important parts of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces.

11. Music

The music industry in Saudi Arabia is considered a huge success here, with concerts and tours regularly taking place throughout the kingdom. The music scene here is known to possess vibrant artistic and cultural traditions.

12. No fitting rooms

Since Saudi Arabia is a conservative society, fitting rooms are absent in any shopping malls or stores. Saudi society is quite hesitant towards the idea of a man and a woman shopping together because this negatively affects families. 

13. Alcohol is illegal here

Alcohol is banned in the country on religious grounds. Once, it was legal, but now it's not. The only place where you can get alcohol is over the border in Kuwait. If you are caught with alcohol, you will be punished severely, which means that not only getting caught with it but also smuggling it too will land you in prison for a long time.

14. No women among the dead in cemeteries

Saudi law states that the corpses of women are to be buried in a different cemetery from the men. Men's cemeteries are usually more spacious and have better facilities than women's. 

15. All testimonies are not equal

If you are fighting a legal case in a court of law in Saudi Arabia, then your testimony is not equal to that of a man. If your case is heard before three men, one judge, and two other male witnesses, your testimony will be considered half as powerful as the two men's. The testimonies of men are considered equal to that of the judge because they are men and are more important than women.

From the world's biggest buildings to some of the most beautiful mosques, Saudi Arabia is a country where you can find all kinds of exotic places.