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world travel yahoo travel the times asiarooms Chicago tribune Why? Riyadh is a true oasis in the Saudi Arabian desert brimming with culture, history, exquisite architecture and an exotic feel and opulence that is bound to enchant just about any visitor. Modern Riyadh has retained its ancient heritage and business travellers can revel in the many shopping and sight-seeing opportunities this city has to offer. When? The best time to visit in Riyadh is the late winter to spring from October to April when there is little to no precipitation and the average temperatures are still invitingly warm. The city is known for its evening thunderstorms that cool the city down just long enough for the night to come to life. Many locals escape the heat of the scorching hot summers by taking breaks in cooler parts of the world. Who for? Riyadh appeals mostly to businessmen and also visitors with a keen interest in ancient civilizations, ruins and Saudi Arabian kingdoms. Shopaholics will also have a field day in this city with out-of-this-world-shopping opportunities in the Kingdom Centre, which houses a state-of-the art three-level shopping mall with more than 160 stores, amongst many other things. More info: The Riyadh travel guide includes current reviews and details of upcoming events, attractions and excursions available in Riyadh. The Basics section is packed with all the information required when planning to visit Riyadh on holiday or business. Overview: Rising from the barren desert, its towering skyscrapers glittering in the fierce sun, the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, is one of the most splendid and affluent cities in the modern world, sprawling across about 600 square miles (1,600 square kilometres) of desert in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. Once a small oasis known for its date orchards (hence the origin of its name which in Arabic means ‘place of gardens’), Riyadh’s phenomenal growth spurt began in 1902 when the desert lord Ibn Saud took over the city determined to turn it into the centre of his Arabic kingdom. Thirty years later it became the capital of the new country of Saudi Arabia, and fuelled by the revenue of the country’s abundant oil fields, it has burgeoned into an awesome modern metropolis with a population well in excess of four million. Modern it may be, but visitors to Riyadh are never likely to forget that they are in the heart of the Arab world. In between the towering, futuristic buildings, glitzy shopping malls and broad, sweeping highways are nestled ancient mosques and other remnants of times gone by, shady trees and date palms line the avenues, and camels sometimes sway between the luxury vehicles. The city is also run on a strictly Islamic moral and cultural code, and visitors should respect the rules while exploring the sights, both ancient and modern, in this fascinating city. Women have restricted access to certain attractions and sites. The original ‘wadis’ (dry river beds), where wells were sunk to water the historic infant oasis settlement, have now been supplemented by numerous vast dams and piped in desalinated seawater to adequately quench the thirst of this prosperous capital, quite justly dubbed ‘Queen of the Desert’. Travellers can therefore drink deeply of this unique urban landscape, which will not be found wanting in both historic interest and modern wonder. Think vast expanses of desert, golden sands, a fiery sun, date-palms and mosques, interspersed with multi-story towers, malls and the best cars money can buy. Welcome to Riyadh, where the past and the present blend into the city’s singular identity. It took twenty centuries for Saudi Arabia’s young capital to evolve from a tiny settlement at the confluence of riverbeds to the sprawling metropolis that it is today in one of the richest countries in the world. For hundreds of years, Riyadh remained an oasis in the midst of a sweltering desert, a patch of green in a sea of gold. Historical travelers’ accounts make mention of this almost magical settlement, which managed to survive and prosper in one of the most arid, barren regions in the world. The settlement was known by the name “Hajar” in pre-Islamic times, and is referred to in the diaries and journals of merchants and tradesmen who visited. It seems that it was as prosperous then as it is now; it has always been a center of commerce. Trade flourished and travelers from all over the world came to barter their goods and then went home with stories of this unique little place in the midst of what is now the Arabian Peninsula. Hajar was primarily known for its vast amounts of date orchards. Parts of the settlement were known as Riyadh, a name derived from the Arabic word “rowdhah,” meaning “place of gardens.” These parts possessed several orchards, which is probably how they got their name. It was an amazing sight to see the green trees stretching across the otherwise barren sands. Gradually, the entire settlement came to be known by this name. Life in Riyadh continued thus for centuries. Kingdoms rose and fell the world over, but the little oasis town remained undisturbed. Since the 17th Century, most of the peninsula was ruled by the Al-Sauds. In the 18th Century, the Egyptians and the Ottoman Turks drove the rulers from their land. However, the 20th century brought about changes that would shape the future of the city. In 1902, Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rehman Al-Saud, (also known as Ibn Saud), seized Riyadh in his quest to establish a singular Arabic kingdom in the desert peninsula. Abdul Aziz was of royal lineage as he descended from the former native rulers, the Al-Sauds. He spent the next three decades laying the foundations of his kingdom and regaining his family’s lost empire. On September 23, 1932, the country of Saudi Arabia was born, and Riyadh was declared the capital. Despite being declared the capital, Riyadh was not the seat of government and commercial activities. Jeddah was the preferred commercial center, and it was only in the 1970s that a forced transfer of political bodies, industrialization and trade to Riyadh occurred, following a step-up in oil production. The revenues earned from oil ventures funded the modernization of the capital, and its impressive infrastructure has sealed its reputation as one of the richest, most flourishing cities in the world today. Riyadh’s roots and ancient history continue to make their presence felt amidst the modern city. Ancient mosques and modern malls exist side by side, minarets and modern hotels stretch up to the sky, and both cars and camels are a mode of transport. If one looks hard enough, one will discover the true spirit of that oasis town of long ago; there are several places of historical interest in Riyadh. Visit Al Musmak Castle, a veritably impenetrable fortress was built around 1865, and was seized by Abdul Aziz in the course of his invasion. The Diwan (Sitting-room of the King) is a major attraction here. For an example of Arabian architecture, go to Al-Thumairi Gate, located in the city center. It was one of nine gates that led to Riyadh; the others were torn down in the 1950s. If traveling a little outside of the city is not a problem, visit the ruins of Old Ad’Diriyah, and Al-Murabba’a Historical Palace. Ad’Diriyah was the capital of the Arabian Peninsula from 1146 to 1818. It was razed in the course of battle, however, and was never rebuilt. You can still visit the remaining ruins of palaces, mosques and the city wall, 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Riyadh. Another place of interest is Jabal Abu Makhrouq Park in the Malaz Quarter’s mountainous region. The park is modern, but it was from here that Abdul Aziz maintained a vigil on the city. Besides these remnants of Riyadh’s past, one can visit the city museums, which showcase ancient artifacts and shed light on Arabian life in previous centuries. The National Museum holds ancient manuscripts, documents, and furniture of historical significance, King Abdul Aziz Military Museum contains old military uniforms and weaponry on display, and the Museum of Antiquities and Folklore showcases everything from ceramic utensils to stamps. The people of Riyadh have attempted to preserve their ancient customs and traditions despite the modernization of the city. While it continues to evolve and develop at a rapid rate, they have maintained the rigid rules and inculcated the moral values of their ancestors. A crime in Saudi Arabia is as grievous an offense now as it was hundreds of years ago, and the punishment can be severe; a petty pickpocket may have his hands cut off. The laws are extremely strict, so if one wants to explore Riyadh and learn its history, one must observe proper social decorum at all times. But the experience is worth it – an insight into a life radically different from one’s own is always fascinating, and life in the land of Black Gold is, to say the least, unique. THE BBC correspondent Frank Gardner was in a coma last night after al-Qaeda militants had shot him nine times and killed his cameraman Simon Cumbers. Saudi police are investigating suggestions that the gunmen may have been tipped off about the presence of the BBC team in a stronghold of alQaeda supporters in the capital, Riyadh. Witnesses said that the pair were led away from their official escorts by local people they were interviewing just as the gunmen drove past in a fast-moving Jeep and opened fire. A freelance cameraman, Simon Cumbers, from Navan, Co Meath, died instantly after being hit in the head. Mr Gardner was hit in the abdomen, arm, shoulder and leg. As he collapsed he reportedly shouted out in Arabic to bystanders: “I’m a Muslim, help me.” Nobody went to his aid and the men he had been questioning were seen running away. Close friends said last night that Mr Gardner, a father of two and a fluent Arabic speaker with a degree in Arab and Islamic studies, had not converted to Islam but was carrying a small copy of the Koran as a device to try to reassure militants that he might encounter. Terrorists, who killed 22 people in the eastern city of al-Khobar ten days ago, had questioned their victims about their religion, allowing Muslims to flee but summarily executing Westerners. The two BBC men arrived in Saudi Arabia last week to cover the aftermath of the al-Khobar killings. They were ambushed on Sunday evening while filming outside the home of a notorious terrorist in the Suweidi district — a place where 15 of the 26 people on the Saudi’s “most wanted list” live. The family home of the al-Qaeda leader in Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz al-Muqrin, is just a few streets away. One Saudi official told The Times last night: “He (Mr Gardner) did not take any security with him and he and Mr Cumbers were seen talking to people in that street in a very dangerous area for quite some time. “What we want to know is whether anybody locally made a mobile telephone call to the gunmen to tip them off.” The team’s driver and official escort were being questioned last night. Officials also want to know why a local camera crew were on hand to film the injured Mr Gardner before medical help arrived. Mr Gardner, the BBC’s Security Correspondent, who had served in the regular and Territorial Army, underwent further surgery last night after having two bullets removed from his abdomen, one from his leg and another from his hand. A senior BBC executive said: “It was a touch and go for a while but doctors are confident he will pull through”. A BBC team are due in Saudi Arabia to join British diplomats in an inquiry into whether the two men were ambushed in a carefully planned attack or victims of a random shooting. Mr Garner and Mr Cumbers had been travelling in a conspicuous red Lexus four-wheel drive with a Saudi driver and an escort from the Information Ministry. It was understood that they spent longer in Suweidi than they had intended as they had difficulty locating the house of Ibrahim al-Rayyes, who was killed in a gunfight with Saudi security forces last December. The family of Mr Cumbers, were being comforted last night by relatives in Ireland. He had set up a production company with his wife Louise Bevan, and was described by Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, as “a great guy”. “It makes his death all the more tragic and poignant,” he said. Riyadh being the capital of Saudi Arabia is also the cultural hub of the country. The culture of Riyadh and its citizens is amply reflected thorough its music, dance and religion. One can come to this city and get a taste of the rich Islamic culture. Music and dance forms an integral part of the culture of Riyadh. The Arabian folk music is extremely popular all across the world. Music and dance in Riyadh is greatly influenced by music of different countries, which was brought to this place by the pilgrims and the Bedouins, a nomadic tribe. Music is different in different regions of Saudi Arabia. The Arabs also love to dance. Their national dance, called the sword dance, is extremely famous and worth taking a look. This dance is performed mainly by the men folk. The women folk also have their own dances. Poetry recitation also forms part of the culture in Riyadh. The Arabs have flair for literary composition, which is highlighted through their poetic compositions. A large number of poets often organize functions where they assemble and share their compositions with one another. The culture of Riyadh also includes its religion. Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country and hence Islam is the main religion of the city. The Muslims are expected to pray five times a day. Their holy book is The Quran. The city is filled with a large number of mosques where the Muslims go everyday to offer prayers. Religion in Riyadh is Kent Wedding Photographer very rigid and one is expected to follow the rules as laid down by the government of the city. The vibrant culture of Riyadh is also visible through its numerous festivals like the Janadriyah Festival and the Riyadh Festival for Shopping and Leisure. People from all across the city come to participate in these festivals and enjoy themselves. The Ministry of Culture and Information in Riyadh has taken a large number of steps to promote the culture of Riyadh. They have set up a large number of associations like the Saudi Society For Culture and Arts and others to promote the cultural advancement amongst the people of the country. Getting a complete Riyadh Overview is not possible without learning about the culture of Riyadh. The music, dance and religion of the city brings forth the true colorful culture of the people of the city. If drinking alcoholic beverages were allowed in Saudi Arabia, this could be the week to uncork the champagne. On Monday, the Saudi Cabinet announced it would be holding municipal elections, the first of any sort of popular input into government since the kingdom was created 70 years ago. On Tuesday, a group of 200 young Saudis, men and women, demonstrated in the capital of Riyadh, to make demands for political reform and jobs.Both events took place against the backdrop of a government-sanctioned human rights conference taking place in the Saudi capital–the first ever, and an event about as unlikely as a nuns convention in Las Vegas. Maybe it’s too early for champagne. It’s not clear if women will be allowed to vote in the proposed elections–they probably won’t–and the elections won’t be held for at least a year. Only half the government positions will be filled by the voters. And the young protesters were quickly swept up by riot police as if they presented a mortal danger to the government. The Saudi interior minister dismissed them as “dupes.” But there are clear tremors of political reform in Saudi Arabia. It’s hardly a headlong stampede toward democracy, but an encouraging development nonetheless in this hermetic Islamic monarchy. Why now? Some credit should be given to pressure from the U.S., which is advising the royals that failure to reform could turn the country into a cauldron of Islamic radicals seeking to overthrow the monarchy and install an even more dogmatic type of Islamic regime. That wouldn’t be good news for the U.S. or the Saudis. To the extent that may be the case, more pressure from the American government is welcome. While it thrashes and threatens other Arab governments for their lack of democratic reforms, the Bush administration has hesitated to apply much pressure on the Saudis. Inevitably, though, change will have to be spurred from within the country, with a recognition by the Saudi royal family that economic prosperity and political freedoms go hand in hand. Ever since it took power, the royal family has used its tremendous oil revenues to try to disprove that fundamental reality. It presumed that people would put up with repression in exchange for an endless buffet of government-provided goodies. That scheme has broken down over the past two decades. Oil prices are flat or down, birth rates are soaring and the resulting imbalance has created growing legions of unemployed and dissatisfied youths. Add to that the influences of the Internet and satellite television programming beyond the control of the government, and the prospect of serious political unrest grows daily. Armed with foreign ideas, some Saudis in the professional class have taken to signing petitions to the government, demanding such things as religious tolerance, an independent judiciary and guaranteed civil rights. Other factions are not as polite. In May, a spate of suicide bombings in Riyadh–some of them presumed to have been orchestrated by Al Qaeda–put the Saudi royals on notice that terrorism is not a phenomenon far away. It is premature to celebrate democracy in Saudi Arabia, but perhaps the royals are at last getting the message that the repressive status quo cannot endure indefinitely.Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Nejd and Al-Yamama (UK Gov). It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 4,854,000 people, and the urban center of a region with a population of close to 6 million people. The city is divided into 15 municipal districts, managed by Riyadh Municipality headed by the mayor of Riyadh (MFA), and the Riyadh Development Authority, chaired by the Governor of Riyadh Province, Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz. The current mayor of Riyadh is Abdul Aziz ibn Ayyaf Al Migrin, appointed in 1998. The name Riyadh is derived from the plural of the Arabic word rawdha, which means “garden,” particularly those formed in the desert after rains. Riyadh has for more than 1500 years been a fertile area set in the heartland of the Arabian Peninsula. The settlement was historically famous for its Palm Trees and Dates and Orchards. The modern name was first applied to only certain parts of the settlement where orchards predominated. Gradually the name was used for the entire settlement. The city has experienced very high rates of population growth, from 150,000 inhabitants in the 1960s to over 6.5 million, according to the most recent sources. Summer temperatures are very hot, approaching 50 degrees Celsius. The average high temperature in July is 45°C. Winters are mild with cold, windy nights. The overall climate is arid, receiving very little rainfall. It is also known to have many dust storms. The dust is often so thick that visibility is under 10 meters. Climate data for RiyadhRiyadh is divided into 15 branch municipalities, in addition to the Diplomatic Quarter. Each branch municipality in turn contains several districts, though some districts are divided between more than one branch municipality. The branch municipalities are Al-Shemaysi, ‘Irgah, Al-Ma’athar, Al-Olayya, Al-Aziziyya, Al-Malaz, Al-Selayy, Nemar, Al-Neseem, Al-Shifa, Al-’Urayja, Al-Bat’ha, Al-Ha’ir, Al-Rawdha, and Al-Shimal (“the North”). Although the Riyadh Development Authority conducts projects in Dir’iyyah, administratively, Al-Diriyah is a separate city outside of the Riyadh Municipality and is the seat of its own governorate. According to the website of the Riyadh Municipality, Riyadh contains more than 130 districts. Examples of some of the main districts of Riyadh are the following: Olaya District is the commercial heart of the city, with accommodation, entertainment, dining and shopping options. The Kingdom Center, Al Faisalyah and Al-Tahlya Street are the area’s most prominent landmarks. The Diplomatic Quarter, or DQ as it is popularly known, is home to foreign embassies and international organizations as well as residential structures and malls. With lush gardens and numerous sports facilities, it is also one of the city’s greenest areas. It is especially known for its fine architecture, and is considered a model for other Islamic cities around the world. Despite its name, the special privileges offered in the Diplomatic Quarter constitute a controversial issue. All Saudi laws must be obeyed and there are occasional patrols by the Mutaween, or Saudi religious police. However, foreign diplomats and their families are allowed certain privileges and it is not very uncommon to see foreign diplomats and their wives strolling on the streets of the DQ in shorts and short-sleeve shirts. Cable-stayed bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The centre of the city, Al-Bathaa and Al-Dirah, is also its oldest part. At its heart lies the 19th-century Al Masmak fort, which is one of the city’s major attractions; to the west lies the Riyadh Museum of History and Archeology and the Murabba’ Palace, an old residence of first Saudi king, Ibn Saud, now a museum. The Qasr Al-Hukm, or Palace of Justice, is nearby. It is here that the Governor of Riyadh Province meets citizens, listens to their grievances and problems, and stays abreast of all aspects of the region’s life. The Al-Dira area also contains commercial markets and traditional buildings, such as the Al-Mu’eiqilia market and the city’s Grand Mosque. The old town of Riyadh within the city Walls did not exceed an area of 1 square km, therefore there are very few significant architectural remnants of the original walled oasis town of Riyadh exist today. The most prominent is the al-Masmak fort and some parts of the original wall structure with its gate which have been restored and reconstructed. There are also a number of traditional mud-brick houses within these old limits, however they are for the most part dilapidated. Expansion outside the city walls was slow to begin with although there were some smaller oases and settlements surrounding Riyadh. The first major construction beyond the walls was King Abdulaziz’s Murabba’ palace. It was constructed in 1936, completed used car prices in 1937 and a household of 800 people moved into it in 1938. The palace was big enough to be mistaken as the city of Riyadh by travellers approaching it from the north. During the life King Abdulaziz, the palace was subject to green marketing numerous expansions (of grounds and buildings). It was constructed in the style of Najdi architecture of mud-bricks and marked a level of architectural maturity that was Car Share unprecedented on that scale. Nowadays, only a fragment of what it encompassed is restored and rebuilt in the traditional manner. However, the palace is now part of a bigger complex called “The King Abdulaziz Historical Centre”. There are other traditional villages and towns in the area around traditional Riyadh which the urban sprawl reached and currently encompasses. These are Diriyah, Manfuha and Wadi Laban to name a few. Unlike in the early days of development in Riyadh during which vernacular structures were razed to the ground without consideration, there is a new-found appreciation for traditional architecture. The 99-floor, 300 m (1000 ft) high Kingdom Centre is the tallest skyscraper in Riyadh and the 45th tallest building in the world. The tower is built on 94,230 square meters of land. The Kingdom Centre is owned by Al-Waleed bin Talal, a prince of the Saudi royal family, and is the headquarters of his holding company: Kingdom Holding Company. The project cost 2 billion Saudi Arabian Riyals and the contract was undertaken by two major construction companies, Saudi Arabia’s El-Seif in association with Impregilo, an Italian engineering firm. The Kingdom Centre is located on Al-Urubah Road between King Fahd Road and Olaya Street in the growing business district of Al-Olaya. The Kingdom Centre is the winner of the 2002 Emporis Skyscraper Award, selected as the “best new best acne treatment skyscraper of the year for design and functionality”. A three-level shopping center, which also won a major design award, fills the east wing. The large opening is illuminated at night in continuously changing colors. Al Faisaliyah Center was the first skyscraper constructed in Saudi Arabia, and is the second tallest building in riyadh after the Kingdom Center. The golden ball that lies atop the tower is said to be inspired by a ballpoint pen, and contains a restaurant; immediately below this is an outside viewing deck. There is a shopping center with major world brands at ground level. Al Anoud tower is 145 meters high. It is a major commercial building on King Fahd road. The tower is owned by Princess Al-Anoud and moderated by several Saudi Arabian companies. And it contains of : novotel hotel 5 stars and some offices . The Riyadh TV Tower (170m high) has an observation deck and was built in 1970s. The headquarters for the country’s Interior Ministry is widely considered one of the city’s most beautiful landmarks with its unique design of a upside down pyramid This castle was built around 1865 under the reign of Mohammed ibn Abdullah ibn Rasheed (1289–1315 AH), the ruler of Ha’il to the north, who had wrested control of the city from the rival clan of Al Saud. In January 1902 Ibn Saud, who was at the time living in exile in Kuwait succeeded in capturing the Masmak fortress from its Rashid garrison. The event, which restored Al Saud control over Riyadh, has acquired almost mythical status in the history of Saudi Arabia and has been retold many times, but has as its central theme the heroism and bravery of the future King Abd Abdulaziz Ibn Saud. 26 floors and 200 meters high. A tower which is finished at march 2010 on king fahad road in Riyadh, It is being built by Al Nakheel real estate company New Orleans Saints Merchandise with an estimated cost of 400 Million Saudi Riyals. Once a small walled city, Riyadh has developed into a dynamic metropolis over the years. Along with the urban areas of Dhahran, Dammam, prostate treatment Khobar and Jeddah, Riyadh has become a focal point for both travel and trade. In addition to being the center of power, the city is also a commercial hub. Numerous educational, auto glass mn financial, agricultural, cultural, technical, and social organizations have set up base here. The architecture is mostly modern, including contemporary high-rise towers, but Diamond Engagement Rings the Al-Dira district, the nucleus of the city, has been rebuilt in a style meant to evoke the old mud-brick buildings of pre-20th century Nejd. King Saud Medical Houston Personal Injury Lawyer Complex From the beginning of oil exploration in Saudi Arabia to the present day, the government has promoted growth in the private sector by privatizing industries logo polo shirts such as power and telecommunications. Saudi Arabia announced plans for privatizing the electricity companies. A lot of these new private conglomerates and companies Hair Transplant headquarters are located in Riyadh, along with National Banks headquarters. Because of that, Riyadh is considered as the capital city financial and business center of the Middle East. King Khalid International Airport has a major impact on the commercial movement in Riyadh, providing pyxism air transportation for millions of people each year and shipping goods to the city from all continents. King Fahd road is the main road in Riyadh city. Many business places in Riyadh prefer to chanel handbags locate their head offices on King Fahad road, and headquarters of major companies and organizations are located on both sides of the road. Huge malls, business towers and skyscrapers are widely distributed on this road. However, many roads are becoming more attractive to businesses as King Fahad road is now crowded most times of the day. King Abduallah bin Abdualziz road, Mohammd bin Fahd “Tahlia”, Prince Sultan, north ring road have all became alternatives for USPS change of address business and companies’ head offices. The northern end reaches the Airport over another highway. According to many opinions, King Fahd Road is one of the most beautiful street in Saudi Arabia, making the road a popular tourist attraction. Famous Business Intelligence Software landmarks such as Kingdom Centre, Al Faisaliyah Center, Al Anoud Tower and the Ministry of Interior building are also located on King Fahd Road. However, it is fast becoming second to King Abdullah Street which has seen major building projects and a baby gift baskets train track and tunnel system is currently under construction. CitySee also: Water supply and sanitation in Saudi ArabiaThe Industrial areas are located on the East and the North-East of the city, Including some of world largest factories wealthy affiliate review of oil-related industry, high-tech, low-tech and agriculture. Aramco has large operations in the area which includes oil refineries. Electricity and water-treatments plants supply the city with their much-needed energy and water, which also reach the nearby towns. As a capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh has received millions of visitors of different backgrounds from all over the world. The population of Riyadh is 60% Saudi and 40% of the population is made up of foreigners from Africa, South Asia, Europe and the Middle East, many of whom remained and became residents of the city. The how to get your ex boyfriend back city has over 4,300 Mosques. For non-Muslims freedom of religion in public is very rare in Riyadh. Non-Muslims are allowed to practice their religion privately in their homes. Indoors they can perform loans bad credit prayers and other rituals, have gatherings, Tax Attorney pointing schooling, and religious studies. Like other Saudi cities, the Nejdi Kabsa is the most traditional lunch in Riyadh. The Yemeni Mandi is also popular as a lunch meal. Fast food is also popular in the reverse phone lookup city, with multinational chains such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Domino’s Pizza, Papa Johns, KFC, Pizza Hut, Pizza Inn, Dunkin Donuts, Krispy Kreme Donuts, Starbuck’s, and Internet Income Subway are widely distributed in Riyadh. There are also many North American based restaurants, such as Fuddruckers, Chili’s, Applebees, Tony Roma’s, T.G.I. Fridays, Johnny Rockets, Gulf Royal Chinese, Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, Costa coffee and Planet Hollywood. In 1999 a new central Museum was built in Riyadh at the eastern side of the King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre. This National Museum of Saudi Arabia combined several collections and table tennis pieces that had up till then been scattered over several Institutions and places in Riyadh and the Kingdom. For example the meteorite fragment known as the “Camel’s Hump” that was on bedroom furniture display at the King Saud University in Riyadh became the new entry piece of the National Museum of Saudi Arabia. Riyadh is served by four major Arabic-language newspapers, Asharq Al-Awsat (which is owned by the city governor), Al-Riyadh, Al-Jazeera and Al-Watan. Television stations serving the city area include Saudi TV1, Saudi TV2, Saudi TV Sports, Al-Ekhbariya, ART channels network and hundreds of cable, satellite and fish oil other specialty television providers. The Riyadh TV Tower is a 170 m (558 ft) high television tower with an observation deck at Riyadh. The tower started seo company construction in 1978 and finished in 1981 and is a part of the Ministry of Information. Football is the most popular sport in Riyadh. The city hosts four major soccer clubs, such as Al Shabab, which was established in 1947, holding a great record in the Saudi Premier League. Al-Nasr club is another famous squad in the league, was named six times as a champion of the Saudi League, and was established in 1955. The well-known club Al-Hilal, Which was established in 1957 conquers the league as the winner of ten championships. Also, there is Al-Riyadh club, which was established in 1954 along with many other minor clubs. The city also hosts several giant stadiums, such as King Fahd International Stadium with capacity of 70,000 seats. The stadium hosted the FIFA Confederations Cup three times in 1992, 1995 and 1997. And also the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1989. The Riyadh city area has a distinctive Groom Speeches regional speech pattern called the Najdi dialect. It is often considered to be one of the most recognizable accents within the Arabic language. Najdi Arabic is widely spoken in the desert regions of central and eastern Saudi Arabia. Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (IATA: RUH), located 35 kilometers north, is the city’s main airport. It’s one of the four international airports in the country serving over 20 million passengers a year. The city is served by a modern major highway system. The main Eastern Ring Road connects the city’s south and north, while Northern Ring Road connects the city’s east and west. King Fahd Road runs through the center of the city from north to south, in parallel with the East Ring Road. Makkah Road, which runs east-west across the city’s center, connects eastern parts of the city with the city’s main business district sell my car and the diplomatic quarters. Saudi Railway Authority operates two separate passenger and cargo lines between Riyadh and Dammam passing through Hofuf, and Haradh. Two future railway projects connecting Riyadh with Jeddah and Mecca in the tourbillon watches western region and connecting Riyadh with Buraidah, Ha’il and Northern Saudi Arabia are underway. Developers are the RC corporation, wholly owned by free stuff H O’Donovan, W Daly and S Burgoyne, however, are now being built single-handedly by H O’Donovan. The Saudi Arabian Public Transport Co. (SAPTCO), the national bus system, runs a fleet of healthy living buses that provides public transportation inside the city, and also an extending service transporting passengers to several cities across the kingdom and neighboring countries. An electric sky train system has been approved and the first phase will be tinnitus treatment installed in King Abdullah Road, King Fahd Road and Al Olaya Road. It will run for 25 km and will include communication services such as phones and internet. Saudi Arabia (officially Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) is the largest Arab country of the Middle East: Wikitravel. It is bordered by Jordan and Iraq on the north and northeast, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates on the east, Oman on the southeast, and Yemen on the south. The Persian outdoor table tennis table Gulf lies to the northeast and the Red Sea to its west. It has an estimated population of 28 million, and its size is approximately 2,149,690 square good healthCD replication kilometres (830,000 sq mi). The Kingdom is sometimes called “The Land of the Two Holy Mosques” in reference to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest places in Islam. The two mosques are Masjid al-Haram (in Mecca) and Masjid Al-Nabawi (in Medina). The current Kingdom was founded by Abdul-Aziz bin Saud (Reuters), whose efforts began in 1902 when he captured the Al-Saud’s ancestral home of Riyadh, and culminated in 1932 with the proclamation and recognition of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, though its national origins go back as far as 1744 with the establishment of the First Saudi State. Saudi Arabia is an Islamic absolute monarchy form of government. Petroleum 18th birthday ideas exports fuel the Saudi economy.[Oil accounts for more than 90 percent of exports and nearly 75 percent of government revenues, facilitating the creation of a welfare fat burning furnace review state, which the government has found difficult to fund during periods of low oil prices. Although the region in which the country stands today has an ancient history, the emergence of the Saudi dynasty began in corporate entertainment central Arabia in 1744. That year, Muhammad ibn Saud, the ruler of the town of Ad-Dir’iyyah near Riyadh, joined forces with a well-known Islamic scholar and wrinkle cream Imam , Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab, to create a new political and religious entity. Both persons found they had common interests, mainly to see all the Portable Staging Arabs of the peninsula brought back to “true” Islam.This alliance formed in the 18th century remains the basis of Saudi Arabian dynastic rule today. Over the next 150 years, the nature sounds fortunes of the Saud family rose and fell several times as Saudi rulers contended with Egypt, the Ottoman Empire, and other Arabian families for control of the peninsula (see diy repair First Saudi State and Second Saudi State). The third and current Saudi state was founded in the early 20th century by King Abdul Aziz Al Saud (known internationally as Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud).First Saudi StateThe first Saudi State was DJ Controller established in 1756 when Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab settled in Diriyah and Prince Muhammed Ibn Saud agreed to support and espouse his cause in the hope of cleansing Islamic practices of heresy. The House of Saud and its allies rose to become the dominant state in Arabia controlling most of the DJ Equipment present-day territory of Saudi Arabia, including the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Concerned at the growing power of the Saudis, the solar power systems Ottoman Sultan instructed Mohammed Ali Pasha to reconquer the area again. Ali sent his sons Tusun Pasha and Ibrahim Pasha who were successful in routing the video interviewing Saudi forces in 1818, eventually weakening the hold of Al Saud. After a rebuilding period following the ending of the First Saudi State, the House of Saud returned to power in the Starcraft 2 guide Second Saudi State in 1824. The state lasted until 1891 when it succumbed to the Al Rashid of Ha’il. Third Saudi State (present day) (Saudi Arabia) The Third Saudi state was founded by the wholesale silver jewellery late King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia. In 1902 Ibn Saud captured Riyadh, the Al-Saud dynasty’s ancestral capital, from the rival Al-Rashid family. Continuing his conquests, Abdul Aziz subdued Al-Hasa, the rest of Nejd, and the Hejaz between 1913 and 1926. Boundaries with Jordan, Iraq, free iphone and Kuwait were established by a series of treaties press release distribution negotiated in the 1920s, with two “neutral zones” created, one with Iraq and the other with Kuwait. On January 8, 1926 Hussain Ibn Ali became the King of Sharqiya. On January 27, 1927 he took the title King of Nejd (his previous Nejdi title was Sultan). By the Treaty of Jeddah, signed on May 20, 1927, the United Kingdom recognized the independence of Abdul Aziz’s realm (then known as the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd). In 1932, these regions were unified as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The discovery of oil on March 3, 1938 cash advance transformed the country. The country’s southern boundary with Yemen was partially defined by the 1934 Treaty of Taif, which ended a brief border war between the two states. Abdul Aziz’s military best acne treatment and political successes were not mirrored economically until vast reserves of oil were discovered in March 1938. Development programs, which were delayed due to the onset of the Second World War in 1939, began in earnest in 1946 and by 1949 production was in full swing. Oil has provided Saudi Arabia with economic prosperity and a great deal of political leverage in the international community. Prior to his death in 1953, Abdul Aziz, aware of the difficulties facing other regional absolute rulers reliant on extended family networks, attempted to regulate the succession. Saud succeeded to the throne on his father’s death in 1953. However, by the early 1960s the Kingdom was in jeopardy due to Saud’s economic mismanagement and failure to deal effectively with a regional challenge from Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser. As a consequence, Saud was deposed in favor of Faisal in 1964. Intra-family rivalry, echoed by increasing complications from the 1973 oil crisis, was one of the factors that led to the assassination of Faisal by his nephew, Prince Faisal bin Musa’id, in 1975. He was succeeded by King Khalid until 1982 and then by King Fahd who is well-known of being a very generous king. When Fahd died in 2005, his half-brother, Abdullah, ascended to the throne. Main article: Geography of Saudi Arabia Desert view in Saudi Arabia. The reddish color of sand and rocky hills in the background indicate this image was taken in the middle/eastern part of the kingdom The Kingdom occupies about 80 percent of the Arabian peninsula. In 2000 Saudi Arabia and Yemen signed an agreement to settle their long-running border dispute.A significant length of the country’s southern borders with the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, are not precisely defined or marked, so the exact size of the country remains unknown. The Saudi government’s estimate is 2,217,949 km2 (856,355 sq mi). Other reputable estimates vary between 1,960,582 km2 (756,985 sq mi) and 2,240,000 km2 (864,869 sq mi). The kingdom is commonly listed as the world’s 14th largest state. Saudi Arabia’s geography is varied. From the humid western coastal region (Tihamah) on the Red Sea, the land rises from sea level to a peninsula-long mountain range (Jabal al-Hejaz) beyond which lies the plateau of Nejd in the center. The southwestern ‘Asir region has mountains as high as 3,000 m (9,843 ft) and is known for having the greenest and freshest climate in all of the country, one that attracts many Saudis to resorts such as Abha in the summer months. The east is primarily rocky or sandy lowland continuing to the shores of the Persian Gulf. The geographically hostile Rub’ al Khali (“Empty Quarter”) desert along the country’s imprecisely defined southern borders contains almost no life. Mostly uninhabited, much of the nation’s landmass consists of desert and semi-arid regions, with a dwindling traditional Bedouin population. In these parts of the country, vegetation is limited to cars forum weeds, xerophytic herbs and shrubs. Less than two percent of the kingdom’s total area is arable land. Population centers are mainly located along the eastern and western coasts and densely populated interior oases such as Hofuf and Buraydah. In some extended areas, primarily the Rub’ al-Khali and the Arabian Desert, there is no population whatsoever, although the petroleum industry has constructed planned communities there. Saudi Arabia has no permanent year-round rivers or lakes; however, its coastline extends for 2,640 km (1,640 mi) and, along the Group Halloween Costumes Red Sea, harbors world-class coral reefs, including the Gulf of Aqaba. Native animals include the ibex, wildcats, baboons, wolves, and hyenas in the mountainous highlands. Small birds are found in the oases. The coastal area on the Red Sea with its coral reefs has a rich marine life.King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia The central institution of the Saudi Arabian government is the Saudi monarchy. The Basic Law of Government adopted in 1992 declared that Saudi Arabia is a monarchy ruled by the sons and grandsons of the first king, Abd Al Aziz Al Saud. It also claims that the Qur’an is the constitution of the country, which is governed on the basis of the Sharia (Islamic Law). According to The Economist’s Democracy Index, the Saudi government is the seventh most authoritarian regime from among the 167 countries rated. There are no recognized political parties or national elections, except the local elections which were held in the year 2005 when participation was reserved for male citizens only. The king’s powers are theoretically limited within the bounds of Shari’a and other Saudi traditions. He also must retain a consensus of the Saudi royal family, religious leaders (ulema), and other important elements in Saudi society. The Saudi government spreads Islam by funding construction of mosques and Qur’an schools around the world. The leading members of the royal family choose the king from among themselves with the subsequent approval of the ulema. Saudi kings have gradually developed a central government. Since 1953, the Council of Ministers, appointed by the king, has advised on the formulation of general policy and directed the activities of the growing bureaucracy. This council consists of a prime minister, the first prime minister and twenty ministers. Legislation is by resolution of the Council of Ministers, ratified by royal decree, and must be compatible with the Shari’a. A 150-member Consultative Assembly, appointed by the King, has limited legislative rights. Justice is administered according to the Shari’a by a system of religious courts whose judges are appointed by the king on the recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, composed of twelve senior jurists. Independence of the judiciary is protected by law. The king acts as the highest court of appeal and has the power to pardon. Access to high officials (usually at a majlis; a public audience) and the right to petition them directly are well-established traditions.The combination of relatively high oil prices and exports led to a revenues windfall for Saudi Arabia during 2004 and early 2005. For 2004 as a whole, Saudi Arabia earned about $116 billion in net oil export revenues, up 35 percent from 2003 revenue levels. Saudi net oil export revenues are forecast to increase in 2005 and 2006, to $150 billion and $154 billion, respectively, mainly due to higher oil prices. Increased oil prices and consequent revenues since the price collapse of 1998 have significantly improved Saudi Arabia’s economic situation, with real GDP growth of 5.2 percent in 2004, and forecasts of 5.7% and 4.8% growth for 2005 and 2006, respectively. For fiscal year 2004, Saudi Arabia originally had been expecting a budget deficit. However, this was based on an extremely conservative price assumption of $19 per barrel for Saudi oil and an assumed production of 7.7 Mbbl/d (1,220,000 m3/d). Both of these estimates turned out to be far below actual levels. As a result, as of mid-December 2004, the Saudi Finance Ministry was expecting a huge budget surplus of $26.1 billion, on budget revenues of $104.8 billion (nearly double the country’s original estimate) and expenditures of $78.6 billion (28 percent above the approved budget levels). This surplus is being used for several purposes, including: paying down the Kingdom’s public debt (to $164 billion from $176 billion at the start of 2004); extra spending on education and development projects; increased security expenditures (possibly an additional $2.5 billion dollars in 2004; see below) due to threats from terrorists; and higher payments to Saudi citizens through subsidies (for housing, education, health care, etc.). For 2005, Saudi Arabia is assuming a balanced budget, with revenues and expenditures of $74.6 billion each. The Basic Law, in 1992, declared that Saudi Arabia is a monarchy ruled by the progeny of King Abd Al Aziz Al Saud. It also declared the Qur’an as the constitution of the country, governed on the basis of Islamic law. Criminal cases are tried under Sharia courts in the country. These courts exercise authority over the entire population. Cases involving small penalties are tried in Shari’a summary courts. More serious crimes are adjudicated in Shari’a courts of common pleas. Courts of appeal handle appeals from Shari’a courts.Civil cases may also be tried under Sharia courts with one exception: Shia may try such cases in their own courts. Other civil proceedings, including those involving claims against the Government and enforcement of foreign judgments, are held before specialized administrative tribunals, such as the Commission for the Settlement of Labor Disputes and the Board of Grievances.Main sources of Saudi law are Hanbali fiqh as set out in a number of specified scholarly treatises by authoritative jurists, other schools of law, state regulations and royal decrees (where these are relevant), and custom and practice.The Saudi legal system prescribes capital punishment or corporal punishment, including amputations of hands and feet for certain crimes such as murder, robbery, rape, drug smuggling, homosexual activity, and adultery. Theft is also punishable by amputation of the hand, although it is rarely prescribed for a first offense. The courts may impose less severe punishments, such as floggings, for less serious crimes against public morality such as drunkenness. Murder, accidental death and bodily harm are open to punishment from the victim’s family. Retribution may be sought in kind or through blood money. The blood money payable for a woman’s accidental death, or that of a Christian male is half as much as that for a Muslim male. All others (Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs) are valued at 1/16th. The main reason for this is that, according to Islamic law, men are expected to be providers for their families and therefore are expected to earn more money in their lifetimes. The blood money from a man would be expected to sustain his family, for at least a short time. Honor killings are also not punished as severely as murder. This generally stems from the fact that honor killings are within a family, and done to compensate for some ‘dishonorable’ act committed. Slavery was abolished in 1962. A lot of laws related to these carry harsh punishments such as floggings for entering the incorrect type of visa Saudi Arabia is also the only country in the world where women are banned from driving on public roads. Women may drive off-road and in private housing compounds — some of which extend to many square miles The ban may be lifted soon, although with certain conditions. The Government views its interpretation of Islamic law as its sole source of guidance on human rights. In 2000, the Government approved the October legislation, which the Government claimed would address some of its obligations under the Convention Against Torture or Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.The freedom of women is seriously restricted inside Saudi Arabia. In addition to restrictions on driving, women are not allowed to travel without the permission of their closest male relative – BBC. This can result in women being restricted from travel by their sons or younger brothers. Women who are divorced are required to return to the home of their father and any travel must then be approved by him. This means that women of 30 or more years old cannot make independent decisions without the approval of male relatives (YT).