Portal:Saudi Arabia
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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country on the Arabian Peninsula. It borders Jordan on the north, Iraq on the north and north-east, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates on the east, Oman on the south and south-east, and Yemen on the south, with the Persian Gulf to its north-east and the Red Sea to its west. It is called "the land of the two holy mosques", a reference to Mecca and Medina, Islam's two holiest places. It is also referred to as Saudi Arabia (pronounced in English /ˈsɒdɪ əˈɹeɪ̯bɪə/), السعودية /ælʕɑrɑˈbiː æsːæʕuːˈdijːæ/ or, less commonly, KSA. 
 The Empty Quarter (Arabic: Rub' al Khali الربع الخالي), is the largest sand desert in the world, encompassing the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula, including southern Saudi Arabia, and areas of Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The desert covers some 650,000 square kilometres (250,000 square miles) (the area between long. 44°30'-56°30'E., and lat. 16'30'-23°00'N), more than the combined land areas of Holland, Belgium and France. Largely unexplored (until recently, see below), and virtually uninhabited, the desert is one thousand kilometres (600 miles) long, and 500 km (300 mi) wide. Even the Bedouins only skirt the edges of the desert. Nonetheless, tour companies do exist that offer GPS-equipped excursions into the desert. The first documented journeys made by Westerners to the Empty Quarter were those made by Bertram Thomas in 1931 and St John Philby in 1932. With summer temperatures up to nearly 55°C Celsius (131° F Fahrenheit) at noon, and dunes taller than the Eiffel Tower — over 330 metres (1000 ft) — the desert may be the most forbidding environment on Earth. However, as nearly everywhere else, life flourishes. Arachnids, rodents and plant life can all be found throughout the Empty Quarter. As an eco-region, it falls within the Arabian Desert and East Sahero-Arabian xeric shrublands. Kingdom Centre, in Riyadh, is the tallest skyscraper in Saudi Arabia. With a height of 302 m (992 ft), it is considered the 25th tallest building in the world. The tower is built on area of 94,230 square meters of land, while the whole centre is built on a total area of 300,000 square meters. The Kingdom Centre is owned by Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, a prince of the Saudi royal family. The total cost of the project was 1,717 million Saudi Arabian Riyals and the contract was taken by Saudi Arabian Bechtel. Kingdom Centre is situated in Al-Urubah Road between King Fahd Road and Olaya Street in the growing business district of Olaya in Riyadh. Kingdom Centre was the winner of the 2002 Emporis Skyscraper Award, selected as the "best new skyscraper of the year for design and functionality". A three-level shopping center, which also won a major design award, fills the east wing. The large opening is illuminated at night in continuously changing colors.  This picture shows the Courthouse in Riyadh city. 
The King Abdullah Economic City will be a multi-stage development with construction beginning on Wednesday, 21 December 2005. This mega project will closely integrate itself into the Kingdom’s on-going drive to expand the economy, create employment opportunities for its youthful population and function as a catalyst to attract foreign investment, global trade, commerce and industry. Based on initial forecasts, the project and its several components will create up to 500,000 employment opportunities in the various industries and service-oriented companies that will open in the City. Government
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Image:Abha.jpg
Looking at Abha from the mountains.
Abha (Arabic: أبها) is the capital of Asir province in Saudi Arabia, population 201,912 (2004 census). It is situated at 2,200m (7,200ft) above sea level in the fertile mountains of south-western Saudi Arabia near the National Park of Asir. Its mild climate makes it a popular tourist destination for Saudis. HistoryAbha's homes are made of stone and mud and were built by hand. Some homes are over 300 years old and still inhabited. The slight graduation from one layer to the next gives these houses the overall impression of truncated pyramids. Foundations are usually stones. The houses are built in shelf-like, overlapping, vertical rows that act as rain guides, keeping the rain from saturating the walls and washing them away. Abha has a well known marketplace, which is open daily. The market is always busy with activity and people moving about. The locals bargain for goods like: fruits, vegetables, and coffee beans among other items. Local specialty items like ornate silver Bedouin jewelry or handwoven baskets are also available. Mohamed Al-Daeyea (محمد الدعيع) (born August 2, 1972 in Taif) is a Saudi Arabian soccer goalkeeper. He is currently (as of early 2006) the world recordholder for most international appearances by a male player, 181, for Saudi Arabia. Al-Daeyea was about to be signed for Manchester United in 2001 but did not get a work permit. The following year in 2002 FIFA World Cup he let in 8 goals in a group match against Germany. Al-Daeyea helped the Saudi Arabian national team reach the World Cup in 1994, 1998, and 2002. Al-Daeyea played professionally for Al-Hilal. The world's most capped international footballer whose inclusion in the Saudi Arabia squad in 2006 is seen as something of a surprise. Al Daeyea's international career looked to be over until Marcos Paqueta took over at the helm of the national squad at the end of 2005. Zaid remains the Saudi number one but Paqueta has decided to include Al Daeyea in his squad due to his immense international experience. In March the 33-year-old earned his 179th cap in a friendly defeat by Portugal but remains a strong and agile keeper who is regarded as an excellent shot-stopper. Germany will mark his fourth and final appearance in the World Cup finals although he is likely to be third choice. Despite losing his place as his country's number one, Al Deayea will be a prominent member of Marcos Paqueta's squad as he possesses invaluable and extensive experience. [+] Saudi media
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