Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Geography:
Saudi Arabia is a huge (830,000 sq. mi.; 2,149,690 sq. km., about one-fourth the size of the U.S.A.) and diversified country (see Saudi Gallery). While the desert makes up most of the land, there are other areas of diverse character. The southwestern part of the country (Taif, Baha and Asir) is mountainous, green, cool and rainy (see Saudi map). The farmland areas spread over these areas and others, mainly the southwestern coast, (Tahama) and provinces in the northwest (Hail, Tabuk, Jouf), heartland (Al Qasim and Al Kharj) and northeast (Al Hasa).

Weather differs from one area to the other according to their geographical position. In the winter and spring, for example, the cities on the southern half of the Red Sea from Jizan to Jeddah and the Arabian Gulf from Dammam to Al Jubail enjoy warm to cool weather. At the same time, the cold wind in the mountainous south, heartland and north brings snow, icy rain and below-zero-centigrade temperatures to the capital Riyadh and the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushit, Najran, Tabuk, Jouf and Hail. In summer, most of Saudi Arabia is hot, except for its southern mountains. Cities like Al Baha, Abha and Al Taif enjoy cool climate during the hot season, while Jeddah, Jizan and Dammam suffer both heat and humidity. Riyadh, Makkah and Al Madinah are hot in these months, too, but not humid. Travel increases dramatically in these months to the southern cities and abroad. Average annual precipitation ranges from three inches to as much as 20 inches in the mountains of the southwest. June temperatures for major cities are: Riyadh: 680F-1130F (200C-450C); Dhahran: 730F-1120F (230C-440C); and Jeddah: 800F-1070F (270C-420C).

Travelling:
You can enter the country on a visit visa sponsored by a Saudi individual, government agency or business, or by a relative residing in the country. Tourist visa is not yet available. If you are a Muslim, you could get a Haj or Umra visa. A husband or male relative should accompany women in Haj and Umra. They don't need this requirement, however, in leaving the country. Domestic travel between areas and cities requires a letter of consent from the sponsor. Residents need a departure visa to leave the country and an entry visa to reenter. A visit visa is required for a visiting relative. The sponsor is responsible for processing the applications of said visas. Click here for more information on Travel and Visa Requirements.

Islamic Customs and Lawsa name="Islamic Customs and Laws"

People treat women with respect in Saudi (see Women in Islam and Arab Women). The Islamic law dictates that they should wear conservative clothes and cover their hair when in public. While not required to wear the traditional full-length abaya (black cloak) over their clothing, they are encouraged to wear a knee-length tunic/dress over slacks and a scarf on their heads. I would also advise that they avoid explicit makeup in the presence of Saudi men. The idea behind all these recommendation is not to sexually attract mens attention. Men could wear either a Saudi dress or their normal western dress, but should not wear shorts or open shirts. The dress code is not implemented inside Western residential and beach compounds. Long hair for men is not recommended. Both sexes should not display sexual affection, like kissing, holding hands and hugging in public.
At prayer times, shops close and Muslim men have to go the nearest mosque for prayers. Non-Muslims and women wait outside the shops for the duration of a prayer, between half to three-quarters of an hour. This happens four times a day during mid-day, afternoon, sunset, and evening prayers. The holy cities of Makkah and Al-Madinah are restricted areas for Muslims only.

Women cannot drive. Saudi men and women do not mix in social events unless close relatives. A man visiting a Saudi should not expect to meet his wife or adult daughter or sister. When he happens to meet a Saudi female, he should not look into her face or shake hands with her. Women, too, should avoid socializing or shaking hands with Saudi men. If a mans wife accompanies him in a visit to a Saudi family, she should expect to go into the women quarters. Alcohol, pork, weapons, ammunition, pornography and drugs are strictly prohibited.

The Islamic (Shari'a) law is strict on crime. Capital punishment is administrated on murderers unless forgiven by the victims family. Stealing for the third time and above a certain amount of money by breaking into a private property is punishable by hand amputation. Rape, drug dealing and organized crimes are punished by death. Whipping for unmarried and stoning for married offenders punishes proven adultery for Muslims. Drinking alcohol in public is punished by jail terms for non-Muslim offenders and whipping and prison for Muslims.

International schools:
There are a number of international schools (up to high school level) for non-Saudis. Some embassies, like the American and British, have their own schools. Some private institutions are expensive. Many companies include school expenses in the salary package. Public universities, however, are not open to non-Saudis. The government recently allowed private colleges but none has opened yet. Families with kids at college level may choose to register them in local and international universities in neighboring countries, like the American University in Cairo and Lebanon about two to three hours flying from any Saudi city. Some schools teach Arabic to non-Arabic speakers. Learning Arabic could be a very rewarding experience. For one thing, it very much improves your communication skills and gives you an access to the Arabic culture and literature. Learning about Islam and Islamic traditions is also helpful. Many books are available in Saudi bookshops and public libraries. You also can obtain or borrow some of them free from Islamic institutions, mosques and Saudi Embassies around the world.

Depending on the area, people have different ways of entertainment. Bigger cities, obviously, have more choices than smaller ones. Malls, restaurants, cafis, theme parks, museums, zoos, playgrounds, sports, especially football (soccer), beaches, water sports, horse and camel riding, health clubs, occasional events like trade exhibitions and Islamic holidays are among the available entertainment venues. The cities have modern sports complexes and football (soccer) stadiums where you can attend local and international sports matches and events. In Riyadh and Jeddah, you can attend the frequent horse races. Only Arab horses are permitted, famous for their magnificent beauty and lightening speed. You can go down to the field and stables before and after a race to admire them closely. In Riyadh dont miss camel races. Those are special kind of racing camels you wont see anywhere outside Arabia. It is going to be an experience you will never forget. In Abha, make sure you visit the wild animal reservation. There, you can see the Arabian white gazelle and a variety of other rare animals and birds.

Many visitors find desert camping during fall and spring a memorable experience. It is even more beautiful after a few days of rain when the desert is covered with a green carpet of grass and wild flowers. The sand dunes are particularly great for riding beach bikes. In summer, nothing beats a camp in the cool mountains of Taif, Al-Baha and Abha. In Abha, ask to visit (and camp) in the national parks of Al-Suda and Al-Garaa and ride the wire train (teleferic) to Tahama valley. For those who live in these small, quite mountainous cities, Jizan, Jeddah and Yanbu are great, warm refuge in the cold winters. The old city in downtown Jeddah is a must-see. It is the only well-preserved ancient town in the Middle East, as Prince Charles and his late wife, Princess Diana observed during a visit. When there, make sure you dine at the Al-Alawi restaurant, which sits in one of the oldest buildings in town (many hundred years old). Another must-see in Jeddah is Abdulraouf Khalil Museum. In Riyadh, you must visit Qasr Al-Hokum compounda collection of historical buildings including a castle, palace, mosque, museum and marketplace (see Riyadh Gallery). If you love painting and photography, visit in Jeddah the House of Painters in the old city, and the House of Photographers. Ask them for schedules of the frequent art exhibitions (see Art Gallery). Also in Jeddah, visit the Science Museum in the north Cornich and the biggest theme park ever in the Middle East, Durat Al-Aroos. Soon, there will be more attractions in Jeddah, the most interesting of which is the seafood restaurant built inside a huge glass capsule under the Red Sea.

Saudis love dining out. You will find all kind of restaurants at a wide range of pricesSaudi, Yemeni, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Indian, French, Lebanese, Turkish, Iranian, Mexican, Italian, American, Mongolian, Egyptian, Moroccan, Indonesian, Thai, you name it. Twenty-five dollars will be enough for a couple to dine in a top restaurant. In Jeddah, dont forget to have a lunch or dinner at the Green Islanda seafood restaurant that hangs on wooden legs over the Red Sea and in the Sheraton panorama restaurant overlooking the famous Cornish (Jeddah beach and its man-made lakes). In Riyadh and Makkah, check the Castle restaurants, which imitate the old Arabian mud castles and offer genuine local dishes. You will also find many local and international fast food restaurants such as McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut and Wimpy as well as equivalent local chains like Harvey, Lebanon Juices and Fakeeh Al-Tazej.

With videos and satellite direct TV you can have an access to latest news, movies and entertainment programming (see bellow for more on that). Cinemas, discos, dancing halls and bars are not allowed. The Interne t is not yet wi d ely available, e xcept for email (see Internet Service Providers). Full Internet servi ce is expected by mid 1998. The Internet and public libraries are mostly availble in academic institutions.

Facility:
There are many good hotels (click here for contact information), which provide sophisticated services. You have a choice of international chains like Hil ton, Sher aton, Intercontinental, Ramada, Marriott, Hyatt Regency, Holiday Inn, Meridian and equivalent local hotels as Al Riyadh Palace in Riyadh, Al Kandara Hotel in Jeddah and Al-Attas Hotel in Madinah. Cheaper hotels are also available. Hotels are classified by the star system. F ive-star hotels are the best, but also the most expensive. You could get a go o d, cl ean and friendly hotel at conv enient lo cations at the 3- and 4-star level. Prices differ depending on the season and place. International hotels are usually more expensive. A 5-star room usually rents for around $120 in high season. You could pay half that for a good 4-star hotel.

Foreign employees are covered by health insurance in private hospitals. The bigger hospitals are especially sophisticated and well equipped. Some of them rival European and American medical facilities. Many pharmacies and all urgent care centers in hospitals open around the clock. Dentists are found in general hospitals as well as in private practices and dental complexes. Seeing a doctor doesnt require an appointment, except for dentists. Appointments, however, could save you waiting time.

Modern malls and supermarkets are common in Saudi cities. Vast, modern and luxurious malls are numerous in big cities like Jeddah and Riyadh. Smaller cities like Makkah, Dammam, Al Khubar, Abha, Al Madinah and Tabuk have similar, if smaller, malls and marketplaces. They include international supermarket chains like the American Safeway and the French Marchi. In some smaller towns, especially in the south, there are certain days in the week when open markets convene. Villagers bring in their produce and goods and sell directly to the consumer.

Air, port, rail, bus, coach and taxi services are modern and reliable (Railroads, 1390 km; Highways, 74,000 km; Ports: Jeddah, Al Dammam, Ras Tanura, Jizan, Al Jubail, Yanbu' al Bahr and Yanbu' al Sinaiyah; International Airports: Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh and Dhahran). Car rent and limousine service is widely available in cities, including international names like Avis, Budget and Hertz. A small size car rents for around $40 a day. Double that will give you a full-size or sport utility car. A little more will rent you a luxury sedan, such as Lexus, Mercedes, BMW or Town and Country. Bigger companies provide public transportation to their employees. Five-star hotels usually provide airport, downtown and beach transport. For a longer period of residence, however, a private car is advisable. Check the following "cost of living" for options and prices. Roads and highways are up to the highest international standards. Car services are good, especially if you stick with the car agency and/or good services like AAA and SASCO.

Sports facilities are comprehensive, from soccer, water sports and scuba diving to martial art, tennis and golf. You could join a public sports club, such as Al-Ahli in Jeddah, Al-Hilal in Riyadh or Al-Gadesiiah in Al-Khubar for as little as $100 a year. Private clubs fetch much higher rates.

Telecommunication services are of international standard. You can call long distance in-country and internationally direct from home, office and digital cellular phones. Alternatively, telephone booths are provided in complexes in almost every main street and are clean, comfortable and air-conditioned. Major call-cards work as well, such as MCI and AT&T. They are not available in Saudi, however, so make sure you have them before you go. Pagi ng service is also available. Most companies provide pagers and cellular phones to their mobile and executive employees. It is expensive t o use a cellular phone (about 80 cents a minute), so use is sparingly. Receiving calls, however, is free. The telephone country code is (966) Add to this the area code as follows: Riyadh (1); Jeddah, Makkah and Taif (2); Al Madinah, Tabuk, Yanbu (4); Abqiaq, Dammam, Dhahran, Hofuf, Jubail, Ras Tanura (3); Hail (6); Abha, Khamis Mushit (7).

Three Saudi newspapers publish in English (Arab News, Saudi Gazette and Riyadh Daily). There is also local TV and Radio English service. You can receive international TV services like CNN, Discovery, Star TV, the Super Channel and many others via satellite. If you are a radio listener you could receive a clear signal, especially at night, form BBC and Voice of America, as well as dozens of international stations. Most international general and specialized papers and magazines, including American, European and Asian, are sold in bookshops and newsstands. They come a little late, however, and may be censored for Islamic appropriateness (i.e., ads showing bare arms or legs on women).

Cost of Living
Depending on your life style and where you come from, life in Saudi can be expensive or cheap. Europeans, Americans and Japanese, for example, find it much cheaper than their own countries. Indians, Indonesians, Filipinos and Malaysians find it more expensive. In general, salaries of $2000 and above are more than adequate to live comfortably even without housing. A salary of $5000 and above will allow you luxurious life, with or without housing. Health insurance is a given in all cases. A good two-bedroom apartment in a major city rents for around $400. It costs much less in smaller cities. Cars come from all over the world, but mostly from Japan and the USA. New cars are cheap because of competition and low tax. In general, they carry sticker prices comparable to counterparts in the U.S. market. The equivalent of a Honda Accord sells for around $20, 000. Pay a little more and you get an American full-size sedan or a mid-size sport utility car.

You can get bargains if you opt for used cars. Ten thousand dollars will get you a low-mileage, clean American or Japanese 90s car such as Chevrolet Caprice, Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. Lease is also available. A Camry equivalent leases for around $400 a month, over 36 months. Gas, water, and electricity are cheap. Computers and electronics are among the cheapest products you can buy. Goods come from local and about every country in the world. China, U.S., Japan, Korea, Taiwan and European countries, however are the biggest exporters of durable goods.

Food generally is cheap. Most vegetable, fruit, canned juice, cooking oil and diary products are locally produced. Imported food is also available. For the least expensive and freshest, buy from wholesale stores and "Halaga" (a central wholesale food market). There are similar wholesale markets (Haraj) for durable produ