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Saudi Arabia |
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| Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conventional short form: Saudi Arabia Arabic local form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah Data code: SA Area: Approximately 864,900 square miles Location: Saudi Arabia is separated from Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia by the Red Sea to the west; from Iran by the Persian Gulf to the east; and from Bahrain by the Gulf of Bahrain, also to the east. It shares land boundaries with seven other Arab countries: Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait to the north; the Republic of Yemen and Oman to the south; and the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to the east. |
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| Government type:
Monarchy National capital: Riyadh Independence: 23 September 1932 (unification) Time Zone: All of the Kingdom is under one time zone, GMT + 3. Exchange Rate: Approximately 5.5 Saudi Riyals (SR) to one � Sterling Pound UK. Business Hours: Government offices are open from 7:30 a.m. till 2:30 p.m.; private businesses from 8:00 a.m. till noon, and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; general banking from 8:00 a.m. till noon; markets and shops are open till 9:00 p.m. Government offices and private businesses are closed Thursdays and Fridays. Media: English radio and TV programming. Three English-language daily newspapers (Arab News, Riyadh Daily and Saudi Gazette). Telecommunications: When calling Saudi Arabia from the UK, dial 00 (international access), then 966 (country code), then the city code, and finally the 7-digit number. Codes for major cities are: Riyadh (1), Jeddah, Makkah, Ta'aif(2); Madinah (4). Health Care: Modern public and private hospitals. Most prescription drugs are available. Religion: Saudi Arabia's official religion is Islam, which forms the basis of the nation's legal system. There are two major religious holidays; Eid Al-Fitr, celebrating the breaking of the annual Ramadan fast; and Eid Al-Adha, celebrating the pilgrimage to Makkah. Saudi Arabia follows the Islamic calendar, which is based upon lunar cycles. Thus the year is 354 days long. Friday is the weekly day of rest and worship. Restrictions: Forbidden items include alcohol, narcotics, weapons, ammunition, pork and pornography. Prescription drugs must be documented. Makkah and Madinah hold special religious significance and only Muslims are allowed entry. |
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| PILGRIMAGE
ADDRESSES & TELEPHONE NOS. Ministry of Pilgrimage Omar Bin Al-Khatab Street, Riyadh 11183 |
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| Tel. Telex. Fax Jeddah Office Tel. |
402-2200/402-2212 400189/401603 AWQAF SJ 402-2555 667-3944 |
| Provides facilities for the Hajj and Umrah to Makkah, Madinah and other holy places in the kingdom. | |
| Pilgrimage Affairs
Pilgrimage Complaint Committee Directorate of Haramain Hajj Research Center |
545-1444
542-3022 573-0123 545-4888 |
| Emergency
Services in the Kingdom |
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| Police Traffic accidents Fire International calls operator Directory Information Ambulance/Emergency aid |
999
993 998 900 905 997 |
