|
||||||
Saudi Arabia
Relevant information about Saudi Arabia.
It is almost impossible not to think of Saudi Arabia as an exotic tourism destination. It has plenty of activities to do, and a lot of beautiful places to visit. The rich history and a very interesting ethnic attract everyone to go on a trip to Saudi Arabia.
According to figures from 2009, the population of Saudi Arabia is estimated in 28.686.633. There are a great percentage of foreign people residing in this country, about a 23%. Around the 12% of the population is from South Asia, including Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis. There are over eight million migrants from many different countries of the world, some of them non-Muslims. The culture of Saudi Arabia is mainly a combination of both Islamic culture and tribal customs, which is clearly reflect in their dress, music, dance and other arts. In fact, culture in Saudi Arabia is much related to religion, having the Mecca as one of its centers. The national dance in Saudi Arabia is the Al Ardha. It is an ancient Bedouin dance, that consists of drummers beating out a rhythm, while a poet recalls verses and men dance shoulder to shoulder. Actually, the drums are also a key part of the local traditional and tribal customs. Other two recognized type of dances in Saudi Arabia are Mizmar, which is a folkloric dance native to the Hejaz region of the country; and Samri, which is a folkloric music and dance. Another relevant aspect of the Saudi Arabian culture is the dress. It is not a mere daily act, but a ritual that follows strictly the principles of Hijab, which is the Islamic principle of modesty. Besides the religious aspect of dressing in this country, the clothes are very useful to the regional desert climate, due to they are loose and flowing. A traditional item worn by men is the Ghutrah. It is a traditional headdress typically worn by Arab men made of a square of cloth, which is very useful as a protection from the sun, dust and sand. And films and theatre have also its place in the Arabic culture of nowadays. In spite of having been prohibited in previous years, now movies and cinemas are available, but with a strong accent in popular and local music, arts, and theatre productions of the region. For sure, everyone who visits Saudi Arabia will be eager to taste the famous Arabic food. Full of flavors and spices, the local cuisine is one of the main attractions to tourists. An item that cannot be avoided with every meal is the khobz, which is a type of bread. Other popular and delicious local dishes include lamb, grilled chicken, falafel, the worldwide known shawarma, and a paste made of beans, garlic and lemon named hummus. Tea plays also a key part in Saudi Arabia, which is usually, drunk in formal and meetings between friends, etc. The tea is taken black and includes herbal flavoring that comes in many variations. However, in Saudi Arabia it is prohibited by the Islamic dietary laws to eat pork and to drink alcohol. But don’t worry, that this only addresses to local Islamic people, so tourists can easily find a drink and some jam to enjoy.
The economy of Saudi Arabia is worldwide known by its strong foundation is petroleum. In fact, the 75% of its revenues and the 90% of export earnings come from the oil industry. This industry comprises about 45% of Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product. The country has around 260 billion barrels of oil reserves, comprising about 24% of the world's total petroleum reserves. Saudi Arabia is part of the OPEC- Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries- which regulates its members' oil production based on the reserves they can prove. As a way to boost and diversify its economy, Saudi Arabia has launched a new city with investments over $26.6 billion. The city is named "King Abdullah Economic City", and it is being built near the industrial city al-Rabegh. This new city, which construction started in 2005, will include the largest port of the country, as well as petrochemical, pharmaceutical, tourism, and finance and research areas.
The primary tourist’s locations in Saudi Arabia are concentrated in the Mecca, which is the holy city in the country. The city of Mecca is visited by thousands of Muslims from around the world every year. In fact, it is one of the recommendations of the Islam to visit the Mecca at least once in a lifetime. But as a tourist’s attraction, the Mecca also attracts non-Muslims to visit it every year, and enjoy its magnificent. Nearby the village of Habalah, there are some interesting places to know. One of them is the Al Musmak Castle, which has transformed into a museum. It is precisely located in the capital city of Sdaudi Aeabia, Riyadh. It was originally a fort, for King Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Rasheed. Some spots that shouldn’t be missed here are the Mosque of Al Musmak Castle; the Sitting Place or Saloon; the Watch Towers of Al Musmak Castle; the Well of Al Musmak Castle; the Gate of the Palace. For those lovers of the Arabic ancient history, Madain Saleh will be an attractive site. It is home to 131 tombs, out of which 45 have Aramaic inscriptions above the doorway. The stone tombs are magnificent, and would leave anybody breath taken. And another symbol of the Arabic history is the National Museum of Riyadh. It provides a good glance into the history of Saudi Arabia, very popular among tourists. There are eight exhibition halls in the National Museum of Riyadh, such as the First and Second Saudi State, The Arabian Kingdoms, The Unification of the Kingdom, Islam and the Arab Peninsula, Man and Universe, The Hajj, The Arabian Kingdoms, Prophet Mohammad’s Mission and Two Holy Mosques. For the ones that always miss nature and colors, there is the Al Maktaba Park, which has an artificial pool. It includes a waterfall, which flows towards the artificial pool and lies opposite to the entrance gate. It is full of brilliant colors and beautiful parks. The Kingdom Centre is another spot not to miss in Saudi Arabia. It is ideal for the ones that cannot help going shopping; with a great shopping mall that includes renowned stores and shops, and high class restaurants. The Al Murabba’a Palace in Riyadh is one of the most interesting buildings in Saudi Arabia. Dating back to the early 1900s when the palace was built by orders from King Abdulaziz, this palace was once the private accommodation of the King but now it has been a made a part of Abdulaziz Darat Property. It provides a good look at the royal and wealthy life that kings used to have back in time.
Saudi Arabia counts with advanced technological hospitals and high skilled professionals. Among the most prestigious clinics are the King Fahad Hospital, the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and the Saad Specialist Hospital. In fact, strategic plans are taking place to position the country as one of the main medical tourist destinations. This industry already attracts more than three million tourists a year to Saudi Arabia. According to specialist’s statements, the most popular medical services for tourists in Saudi Arabia are pediatric and obesity treatments, as well as eye surgery. In relation to costs, Saudi Arabia is much cheaper for a quality treatment than many other countries. But in comparison with close countries, such as India, a cosmetic treatment may not be that cheap in Saudi Arabia. Health fields that are rapidly developing in Saudi Arabia are stem cell research and infertility treatment.
|
?
