WORLD TRADE CENTERS

Location: Saudi Arabia

One of the most devout and confined countries in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has emerged from being an underdeveloped desert kingdom to become one of the wealthiest nations in the region thanks to its vast oil resources. Named after the ruling Al Saud family, which came to power after the overthrow of the Ottoman Empire after World War 1, the country includes the Hijaz region - the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the cradle of Islam. The kingdom is sometimes called "The Land of the Two Holy Mosques" in reference to Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Al-Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina, the two holiest places in Islam.

Official name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Population: 28,160,273 (July 2016 est.)
Capital: Riyadh
Area: 2.24 million sq km (864,869 sq miles)
Major language: Arabic
Major religion: Islam

Saudi Arabia sits on more than 25% of the world's known oil reserves. It is capable of producing more than 10 million barrels per day and that figure is set to rise.  The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 80% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings

GDP: $637.8 billion (2015 est.)

GDP by Sector: Agriculture: 2.4%, industry: 42.9%, services: 54.7% (2016 est.)

Exports: $205.3 billion (2016 est.)

Main Exports: Petroleum and petroleum products 90%

Imports:$157.7 billion (2016 est.)

Main Imports: Machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles.

World Trade Centers Holdings Cyprus holds the license for Riyadh, which is derived from the Arabic word ‘Rawdah’ meaning a place of gardens and trees. It is the capital city and the largest city of Saudi Arabia and is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province and it belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama.  Riyadh is one of the richest cities in the Middle East and the 80th richest city in the world.  Once a small walled city, Riyadh has developed into a dynamic metropolis over the years.