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Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is a historic and cosmopolitan city known for iconic landmarks like the King Fahd Stadium and the King Abdulaziz Historical Center. With a diverse population of over 7 million people, it is a global business hub and a blend of ancient architecture and modern innovation.
Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia and the largest city on the Arabian Peninsula. It is located on the eastern part of the Najd plateau at about 600 metres above sea level. Its name means gardens or meadows, so it is named due to a natural fertility provided by its location at the juncture of Wadis ?an?fah and Al-Ba???.
Riyadh grew from a small, fortified desert village in the 17th century into a modern metropolis in the 20th century. The population of this city currently ascends to 7.6 million people, being the 3erd largest city in the Arab world.
Riyadh is also the political and administrative centre of the country as it's the headquarters of the government bodies, such as the Saudi Royal Court and the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia.
It has a hot desert climate with long hot summers and short, mild winters. The average high temperature in August is 43.6 °C. The precipitations are very low in summer, receiving the most during the months of March and April. It is also known due to their heavy dust storms that on certain occasions can become so thick that they can cause the suspension of classes at schools and cancellation of hundreds of flights.
Saudi Arabia is an Islamic absolute Monarchy in which Sunni Islam is the official religion.
As residents of a major city in a Muslim country, Riyadh’s inhabitants adhere to a number of social norms that include segregation of the sexes and the need to protect the privacy of the family. Public gatherings are mainly restricted to male attendants, however, many activity centres allow women and families to attend at special times or in reserved areas.
The city is divided into 14 municipal districts and the Diplomatic Quarter, managed by the Municipality of Riyadh headed by the mayor of Riyadh, and the Royal Commission for Riyadh which is chaired by the governor of the Province, Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud. Each municipality contains several districts being in total 130 of them.
The chief administrator of the city is the major, currently Tariq bin Abdul Aziz Al-Faris, who is appointed by the King of Saudi Arabia.
The executive branch for the Development of Riyadh is the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) which is responsible for the socio-economic, cultural and environmental development of the city.
The public sector is the largest employer in Riyadh due to its condition as the country’s capital. It hosts numerous government public services, it employs more than one-third of the city’s workforce and is the source of approximately half of Riyadh’s total production of goods and services. Every publicly quoted company is compelled by law to have an office in the city.
In the private sector, more than two-fifths of the workforce is employed in services, about one-fourth in construction, more than one-fifth in trade, and about one-tenth in industry, producing machinery, equipment, metallurgical goods, chemicals, construction materials, food, textiles , furniture and publications.
Saudi Arabia was among the world’s 25 top exporters in 2016, shipping US$207.6 billion worth of goods around the globe. Saudi Arabia has the world’s largest oil reserves which are concentrated largely in the eastern province. It has also the world’s sixth largest natural gas reserves
Saudi Arabia’s highest-value exports are crude and processed petroleum oils. Other exports include ethylene polymers (plastics), organic chemicals, petroleum gas, tugboats and pusher craft, and aluminium according to the International Trade Centre.
Riyadh is also of great economic importance, as it is the headquarters of many banks and major companies including Saudi Arabia's central bank and several national banks
Olaya district is the commercial heart of the city, with accommodation, entertainment, dining and shopping options.
Riyadh is also the location of the King Abdullah Financial District, one of the world's largest financial centres. The district is still under construction but it will consist of 59 towers in an area of 1.6 million square meters. It will provide more than 3 million square meters of space for various uses, 62,000 parking spaces and accommodation for 12,000 residents.
We can also mention that the world’s largest water desalination company is headquartered in Riyadh. Daily, the Saline Water Conversion Corporation produces 4.6 million cubic meters of desalinated water as of June, 2016.
Riyadh is served by an advanced infrastructural framework that includes modern networks of transportation and communications. It also includes a large number of electric power stations and it stands out the fact that two thirds of the city's water is drawn from the desalinated industry.
Airport
Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport is the city's main airport and one of the largest in the world by land area. It serves over 17 million passengers a year even though it was built only for 12 million so there are plans to expand this construction.
The airport is located 35 km north of Riyadh and consists of 5 passengers terminals.
Highway
The city is served by a modern major highway system connecting the south and north, while the Northern Ring Road connects the east and west.
Railway and metro
The Saudi Railway Organization operates two passengers and cargo lines between Riyadh and Dammam.
There are two future projects approved to connect the city with Jeddah and Mecca. It is also planned to open 6 lines of metro in 2020.
Buses
The main company, known as the Saudi Public Transport Company, offers trips within the kingdom and neighbouring countries.
Over the past decade the prosperity of the country has been fuelled by the oil and gas exportation but there is an implemented plan to spend the growth by 2030 in which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to become the global leader of the digital economy through the full deployment of emerging technologies, data science, Cyber security, cloudification, Blockchain and machine learning.
In this tour we will visit the Murabba Historical Palace, which was the official workplace and residence of King Abdulaziz, designed according to the prevalent traditional designs. Then, we will head to Souq Al Zal and see the different traditional goods and learn about their usage and meaning in the culture. After that, we will visit Al Masmak Fortress which witnessed the scene of the battle to restore Riyadh by His Majesty King Abdulaziz, which was the beginning of his journey to unite Saudi Arabia. Business registration number: 7048911312
An exhilarating journey awaits you in the majestic Red Sand Dunes of Riyadh Desert, where you'll indulge your inner adventurer with conquering the landscape on high-quality quad bikes, and experience the thrill of dune bashing in a modern safe off road 4x4 car, along with other activities. With all-terrain vehicle dune buggy bikes at your disposal (included in the price), enjoy the freedom of driving through the stunning sand terrain, all under the guidance of experienced leaders who ensure your safety and enjoyment throughout the day. Next, your professional driver will adjust the car's tire pressure to give you an adrenaline-packed dune-bashing experience along the dunes. You'll then have the opportunity to glide down the sand slopes while sandboarding, feeling the soft sand beneath your feet. Finally, hop on a short camel ride that offers a glimpse into traditional bedouin desert life, and end this action filled day with an Arabian style picnic with snacks and Saudi coffee.
We will travel through time to land in an old historical village around 300 years in the past. Not yet, we will stand in front of the Musmak Palace to witness the greatest war happened at that time which was the foundation of the Kingdom of Saudi Araia. Moreover, the national museum will tell us about many stories occurred thousands years ago until the current time. Finally, we will enjoy a very delicious Saudi traditional meal.
A camel ride through vast desert landscapes begins your adventure, offering time to take photos, walk or run alongside the camel, and even guide it yourself. Continue from Riyadh to the Second Edge of the World via the historic Darb Al-Manjour Trail, enjoying an exhilarating 4x4 ride, cliffside hikes, ancient fossils, and dramatic rock formations. Take in sweeping desert views and a breathtaking sunset over the cliffs on this unforgettable off-road journey—perfect for adventure lovers and nature explorers. Book now and discover one of Saudi Arabia’s hidden desert wonders.
Explore the stunning Riyadh desert with a professional local guide on a memorable journey to the Edge of the World and the Red Sand Dunes. This 5–6 hour tour offers breathtaking views and an authentic desert experience, perfect for individuals, couples, and small groups. Travel comfortably in a modern 4x4 vehicle while enjoying Saudi coffee, tea, and light snacks during your adventure. Capture the beauty of the landscape with photo stops and free time to roam and discover. - Visit the iconic Edge of the World cliffs for spectacular views - Experience the expansive Red Sand Dunes, a true desert highlight - Travel in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle with a licensed local guide - Enjoy Saudi coffee, tea, and light snacks throughout the tour Tour Guide License No: 7014979285
Let’s discover the most beautiful natural place in Riyadh. Edge of The World has historical and geological significances. Explore Edge of The World to see natural cave and beautiful mountains as well as amazing sunset view. You will see natural landscapes of Riaydh city. After sunset, you will try Saudi authentic food in a traditional restaurant.
