Location
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen

Geographic coordinates
25 00 N, 45 00 E

Area
Total: 1,960,582 sq km
Comparative: slightly more than
one-fifth the size of the US

Land boundaries
Total: 4,431 km
Border countries: Iraq 814 km,
Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km,
Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km,
UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km

Coastline
2,640 km

Climate
Harsh, dry desert with great
temperature extremes

Terrain
Mostly uninhabited, sandy desert

Elevation extremes
Lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
Highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m

Natural resources
Petroleum, natural gas,
iron ore, gold, copper

Population
23,513,330

Ethnic groups
Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Religions
Muslim 100%

Languages
Arabic

Government type
Monarchy

Capital
Riyadh

Military branches
Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force,
Air Defense Force, National Guard,
Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary)

Military manpower
Availability: males age 15-49:
6,007,635 (2002 est.)
Fit for military service: males age 15-49:
3,359,849 (2002 est.)

Military expenditures
Dollar figure: $18.3 billion (FY00)
Percent of GDP: 13% (FY00)