Saudi Arabia

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Entry posted by korver · December 4, 2020

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Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country of 34 million in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula. Extending across most of the northern and central Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia is a young country that is heir to a rich history. In its western highlands, along the Red Sea, lies the Hejaz, which is the cradle of Islam and the site of that religion’s holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. In the country’s geographic heartland is a region known as Najd (“Highland”), a vast arid zone that until recent times was populated by nomadic tribes. To the east, along the Persian Gulf, are the country’s abundant oil fields that, since the 1960s, have made Saudi Arabia synonymous with petroleum wealth. Those three elements—religion, tribalism, and untold wealth—have fueled the country’s subsequent history. In recent years, the country's major cities have grown substantially, with some of the world's tallest skyscrapers being built and transforming the country's major skylines. Let's take a look at this historic country and see some of Saudi Arabia's most impressive sights in today's update.

We'll begin with a trip over the country's most defining natural feature, the Arabian Desert. Some parts of the desert are so desolate and sparsely populated that it's been called the "Empty Quarter" - and it also recieves some of the lowest rainfall in the world. When it does rain however, it can completely transform the landscape into a magical, fascinating sight from above with countless pools of water everywhere you look, nestled between the towering sand dunes.

We travel north through the Arabian Desert, stopping by at one of the country's most famed archaeological sights, Madain Saleh. This desert city dating from the Nabatean Kingdom was entirely carved into the faces of a few rocky outcrops in the heart of the desert - and there's not much information about it's founding or abandonment, making it one of the Middle East's most mysterious, remote, and undiscovered wonders.

Saudi Arabia has a rich history - this region has been inhabited since ancient times and Ancient Arabia was home to one of the world's most advanced kingdoms. Here we a see a typical small fort from the era, located on the edge of the Persian Gulf.

We move into modern times - and here we see another overview from the heart of the Arabian Desert, with its towering dunes stretching for hundreds of miles around.

Oil is Saudi Arabia's chief export - it's one of the world's largest producers and has completely transformed the country's economy over the decades. Here we see a typical nighttime scene from one of the country's countless refineries.

Saudi Arabia is also a country that's known for its religious importance in Islam. The Kaaba is a building at the center of Islam's most important mosque, the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca - and it is the most sacred site in Islam. It is the final destination of the Hajj - a pilgrimage that all Muslims must make once in their lifetime.

Nearby, Mecca's skyline has been growing rapidly in recent years, and is now home to some of the world's largest buildings. The massive Abraj Al-Bait clock tower was opened in 2012 and looms over the Kaaba - it is truly one of the world's most impressive skyscrapers.

Another one of Saudi Arabia's most impressive skyscrapers is the Jeddah Tower, located along the country's Red Sea shoreline. Construction is currently on hold, but once completed, this 3,280 foot tall gleaming tower will be the world's tallest skyscraper.

Our tour of Saudi Arabia concludes in the country's capital city of Riyadh - here we see a typical view of a dense section of the city's core.

Riyadh is also home to it's fair share of modern highrises. Completed in 2002, the impressive 990 ft tall Kingdom Centre and surrounding Center Point shopping district has served as a symbol of the country and towers over the heart of downtown Riyadh.