Facts

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

Area (only Total) total: 2,149,690 sq km

Climate: harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes

Terrain: mostly uninhabited, sandy desert

Population: 28,161,417

Main Language (only first): Arabic

Government type: monarchy

Capital (Name): Riyadh

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+3

Independence: 23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)

National holiday: Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

HOLIDAYS

January 19 Ashoura

March 20 Prophet's Anniversary

July 31 Ascension of the Prophet

September 23 National Day

October 1 Eid Al Fitr

December 8 Eid Al Adha

You should know:

Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha are the only official holidays. Work schedules may be seriously disrupted during the month of Ramadan and businesses may commonly take time off for other Islamic holidays.

It may be difficult to obtain hotels and flights, especially in the Western province, during the period of the Hajj, immediately preceding Eid Al Adha.

Weekend – Friday