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The GDP of Saudi Arabia is $646 billion.
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The nominal GDP per capita is $54,100, according to estimates from 2016.
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Almost half of the country’s GDP comes from oil.
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Approximately 22% of the world’s oil reserves are located in Saudi Arabia.
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In addition to oil, Saudi Arabia has the sixth-largest gas reserves in the entire world.
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Roughly 100 camels are sold each day in this country.
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Ninety-five percent of the country is classified as a desert or semi-desert.
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Less than 2% of the land in Saudi Arabia is arable.
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There are no rivers located in Saudi Arabia. It is the largest country in the world that does not have a river.
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About half of the population is under the age of 24.
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Saudi Arabia has one of the lowest rates of females in the workplace in the world. Just 20% of females are in the workforce.
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Women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. It is the only country in the world that has made it illegal for women to obtain a license to operate a car.
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Other things that women can’t do? Open bank accounts, travel, work, or go to school without permission from their male guardian.
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Almost 60% of the laborers in Saudi Arabia are foreigners. This is especially true in the service and oil sectors.
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Mecca and Medina, located in Saudi Arabia, are considered to be Islam’s holiest places. Non-Muslims are not allowed to step foot on these sacred grounds.
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Homosexuals can be put to death in the country.
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Other crimes that are punishable by death? Murder, armed robbery, drug use, adultery, and witchcraft.
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Beheading, stoning, and death by firing squad are all ways that Saudis use to punish people for crimes. A crucifixion typically follows.
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Harry Potter books are banned in Saudi Arabia because they talk about sorcery.
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Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia.
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Ninety-nine percent of Saudis practice Islam.
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During the country’s “salat” prayer, stores must remain closed until the prayer concludes. Patrons may remain in the store during the duration of the prayer but cannot shop.
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A dance called the “al Ardah” is performed for many different occasions. It was originally performed by the Shammar tribe before going to war.
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Traditional clothing for men is the thobe. Women wear what is called the abaaya.
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Winds from the north called shamal can blow for days at a time and can reach speeds up to 50 miles per hour.
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Bedoins, or desert dwellers, can be found in Saudi Arabia. These nomads roam the desert and typically herd animals including goats and camels.
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Falconry is a traditional sport that is practiced in Saudi Arabia.
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While cell phones have made it easier to snap photos easily, a camera should never be pointed at a woman in Saudi Arabia. It is also considered rude to take a picture of a male without first asking permission.
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The country is building the world’s tallest building. Jeddah Tower will be 3,280 feet tall and is expected to be completed in 2018.
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Performing Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and requires traveling to Mecca. Approximately two million people make the trip annually.
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Saudi Arabia began to build a fence along its border due to unrest in Yemen.
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The country is also constructing a fence along its border with Iraq to keep out members of ISIS.
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Saudi Arabia was one of the founding members of OPEC.
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The country bans any type of public religious worship from anyone that is not Muslim.
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The consumption of alcohol is illegal and can result in harsh punishments if the law is broken.
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Education, including college and post-graduate schooling, is free in Saudi Arabia.
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Students in Saudi Arabia attend school from October through July.
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Sheep are raised for meat, wool, and milk. Goats are also raised for milk, and their hair is used for rugs and tents.
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The left hand is considered unclean, so shaking hands or accepting something from another individual must always be done with the right hand.
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Showing the soles of your shoes or your feet is considered highly disrespectful in this country.
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Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia.
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With a size of 830,000 square miles, Saudi Arabia is the 13th largest country in the world.
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At almost 10,000 feet above sea level, Jabal Sawda is the highest point in Saudi Arabia.
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Saudi Arabia is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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Saudi Arabia’s king has the official title of “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.”
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One thing that Saudis do for fun is to tilt a vehicle while driving, while another person stands on top of the vehicle as it is in motion. This is called Sidewalk Skiing.
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Saudi Arabia’s royal family is worth $14 trillion.
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The city of Mina contains 100,000 tents that are made of fire-retardant materials and are equipped with kitchens, bathrooms, and air conditioning.
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Beef isn’t part of most Saudi’s diets. In fact, traditional Saudis prefer to consume camel.
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Though the country is mainly known for exporting oil, it has been diversifying its manufacturing sector, producing concrete, steel, auto parts, and building materials.
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