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         SAUDI ARABIA
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Saudi Arabia occupies over 70%
of the Arabian Peninsula. Over
95% of the country is desert,
and the largest expanse of
sand in the world,
Rub'al-Khali, is found in the
southeast of the country. In
the west, a narrow, humid
coastal plain along the Red
Sea is backed by steep
mountains. The climate is hot,
with very little rain. The
main products are dates,
tomatoes, water melons and
wheat. The country's
prosperity, however, is based
almost entirely on the
exploitation of its vast
reserves of oil and natural
gas.

Area (Sq. Km.): 2,175,580

Population: 12,939,000

Capital: Riyadh

Language:
Arabic

Religion:
Moslem 99%

Government Type:
Monarchy with council of
ministers

Currency: Rial

Embassy:
30 Belgrave Square
London
SW1X 8QB
0171-235-0831

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Foreign Office Advice:

Visitors to Saudi Arabia from
areas suffering from Yellow
Fever must have valid
inoculation notes.

Pilgrims should also have
notes of meningitis
inoculation, issued not less
than 10 days and not more than
2 years ago.

Only small quantities of food
may be brought into the
country for the overland
journey to Mecca. These must
be carried in covered
containers.

For more information ring:

 Foreign Office Travel Unit

       0171-270-4129