Saudi Arabia: flag, capital, currency and history
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia, Asia. Its capital is Riyadh. The currency is the Saudi riyal. Languages spoken include Arabic.
Quick facts about Saudi Arabia
- Official name
- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Capital
- Riyadh
- Region
- Asia, Western Asia
- Currency
- Saudi riyal (SAR, ر.س)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Calling code
- +966
- Internet domain
- .sa
- Area
- 2,149,690 km² (830,000 sq mi)
- Demonym
- Saudi Arabian
- National day
- Saudi National Day, September 23
Flag of Saudi Arabia
Download the flag of Saudi Arabia as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇸🇦.
History of Saudi Arabia
The Arabian Peninsula was home to early trading peoples and became the birthplace of Islam in the seventh century, with Mecca and Medina as its holiest cities. Later centuries saw rule by caliphates and local dynasties, and the Ottoman Empire claimed the western coast. In 1744 Muhammad ibn Saud allied with the religious reformer Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, founding the first Saudi state, which fell to Ottoman-Egyptian forces in 1818. After a second state, Abdulaziz ibn Saud captured Riyadh in 1902 and unified much of the peninsula, proclaiming the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. It is an absolute monarchy.
Key dates
- c. 610Islam emerges in Mecca, in the western Arabian Peninsula.
- 1744Muhammad ibn Saud and Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab ally, founding the first Saudi state.
- 1818Ottoman-Egyptian forces destroy the first Saudi state.
- 1902Abdulaziz ibn Saud captures Riyadh, beginning the unification of the peninsula.
- 1932The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is proclaimed on 23 September.
- 1938Oil is discovered in commercial quantities in the Eastern Province.
A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.
Currency of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi riyal (SAR, ر.س). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.
Festivals and greetings in Saudi Arabia
Celebrations observed in Saudi Arabia, with free greeting images and wishes you can personalise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Saudi Arabia?
The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh.
What currency does Saudi Arabia use?
Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi riyal (SAR, symbol ر.س).
What languages are spoken in Saudi Arabia?
Languages used in Saudi Arabia include Arabic.
What is the calling code of Saudi Arabia?
The international calling code of Saudi Arabia is +966. Its internet domain is .sa.
Which countries border Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia shares land borders with Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
On which continent is Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia is in Asia, in the region of Western Asia.
What is the national day of Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia marks Saudi National Day on September 23.
Neighbours of Saudi Arabia
More countries in Western Asia
Country data from the open mledoze/countries dataset (ODbL), with corrections. Flags from flag-icons (MIT).