Road Network in Saudi Arabia

• Aqeel Alonazi and Adnan Naim are the authors of "Saudi History and Geography, Book 3."
• The book is copyrighted by International Home of Ideas, Inc. 2012.
• The book is approved by the Saudi Ministry of Education for Grade 12.
• The ISBN is 978-0-9679705-5-4.

Unit 1: Education in Saudi Arabia

• When the Kingdom was founded in 1932 AD, education was limited to religious schools in mosques teaching Islamic law and basic literacy.
• The modern Saudi educational system aims to provide quality instruction in diverse fields.
• Primary education began in Saudi Arabia in the 1930s AD.
• In 1951 AD, there were 226 schools with 29,887 students.
• The Ministry of Education was established in 1954 AD, with Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz as the first Minister of Education.
• The first university, King Saud University, was founded in Riyadh in 1957 AD.
• Saudi Arabia's public educational system includes 24 universities, over 33,105 schools and numerous colleges/training institutions.
• Education, books and health services are provided free with the education system open to every Saudi.
• Over 25% of the annual State budget is allocated to education and vocational training.
• Scholarship programs are available for students to study overseas.
• Islamic studies are central to the Saudi educational system.
• General education includes six years of primary school and three years each of intermediate and high school.
• Education, including textbooks and tools, is free to all Saudi citizens.
• Many kindergartens are privately run for children aged 4-6 years, sometimes supplemented by an additional year for 3 year olds.
• Saudi government has expanded the Kingdom's vocational training system.
• There are currently more than 24 universities for both men and women.
• King Saud University, established in 1957 AD in Riyadh, offers subjects from zoology to education.
• King Abdul Aziz University was established in Jeddah in 1967 AD. and offers subjects like Arts, Science and Engineering.
• The Islamic University was established in Madinah in 1961 AD.
• King Faisal University was established in the Eastern Province with faculties for agriculture, architecture and Medicine.
• King Fahd University of Petroleum and Mineral was founded in Dhahran.
• University students receive financial help, free housing, low-priced meals/books/transport.
• Female students get free transportation.

Unit 2: Saudi Culture (1)

• Saudi men wear a long, loose fitting shirt called a 'thobe', typically white cotton, with variations in cooler months.
• Garments are tailored, buttoned at the neck and wrists, and come in beige, grey, plain or striped.
• Men wear a headdress over a white skullcap ('taqia').
• The headdress is called a 'ghutrah' (white) or 'shemagh' (red) and are worn based on preference.
• The ghutrah is held in place by an «iqal», a black braided rope.
• Women traditionally wear an «abayah» over everyday clothes.
• Traditional dresses are colourful, often with Western fashions.
• Women wear a veil ('Negab') to only uncover their eyes, plus a 'hejab', a thin black veil to completely cover the face.
• Saudi women's dress is based on Islamic teachings.
• Visitors can expect to be welcomed with coffee (Qahwah) is prepared and drunck with dates, followed by tea (Shai) is served.
• Meals typically consist of lamb or chicken with rice (Kabsa).
• Modern eating habits have been adopted, but traditional methods like floor seating and eating by hand are still practiced.
• Wash hands before and after a meal.
• A meal will begin with “Bis millah” (in the name of God), and ended with “Alhamdulillah” (God be praised) or “Naamullah Alayk” (May Allah give you more).
• Islamic dietary laws forbid pork and alcohol.
• Saudi Arabian coffee making is considered an art, prepared carefully.
• Water is boiled in a traditional coffeepot, roasted coffee beans are grinded to a power using a pestle.
• Cardamom is ground and added to the coffee as it boils.
• The coffee and dates are served in traditional fashion.

Unit 3: Saudi Culture (2)

• Camels in Saudi Arabia vary in color (light sandy to dark brown), using its hump to store food and water.
• When camels get thirsty, they can drink twelve buckets of water in ten minutes.
• Camels are called “Ship of the desert” and their feet help them easily walk on sand.
• Special noses and long eyelashes keep the sand from blowing in them.
• Camels living in groups are referred to as a ‘caravan'.
• Camel milk is sweet and best drunk freshly milked and the meat can be consumed.
• Camel races are held at the Aljanadriyah racecourse outside Riyadh which measures 20 kilometers.
• Racing camels are called ‘hajins’ and are valuable.
• The Arabian horse originated in the Arabian deserts and is considered one of the oldest and most beautiful breeds.
• The Bedouins were the original breeders, estimating wealth by the number of horses they owned.
• Colors vary in brown, grey, and chestnut and can keep going on a ride for a continuous long duration (called endurance).
• Arabian horses are also called “drink of the wind” and are used in horse racing.
• Horses have a special place to the people of Arabia due to intelligence, affection and strength, the male horse being called a foal.
• Several horse breeding centers exist in the Kingdom, including the King Abdulaziz Original Horse Centre at Dirab.
• Al Ardha is the national folk dance as based on Bedouin history, alongside drummers and poets in sword-carrying traditions.
• Al-Sihba folk music comes from Hejaz as based from Al-Andalus in Makkah, Medina and Jeddah.
• The mizmar is an oboe-like woodwind instrument used in the performance of the mizmar dance.
• The drum is important with the Samri music and dance involves poetry.
• Soccer is the most popular sport.
• Saudi Arabia compete in Summer Olympic Games as well as international competitions in in volleyball and other sports.
• The Saudi Arabian national youth baseball team participate in the Little League World Series.
• The GPYW (General presidency of youth welfare) has stimulated all sports, from track and field, to water sports.

Unit 4: The Islamic Occasions

• Ramadan is a holy month where the Holy Quran was sent to Prophet Muhammad, fasting (one of the pillars of Islam) begins.
• The main idea of fasting involves a spiritual nature.
• Ramadan is the month of worship and charity.
• Lailatul Qadr is a sacred night and one of the last ten nights during Ramadan.
• All Muslims stay awake praying and thanking god for his blessings, also praying to god asking to forgive sins and guidance.
• Eid Al-Fitr is a Muslim occasion after Ramadan where all Muslims pay Zakat and they pray special prayers.
• Muslims congratulate each other and thank Allah for his blessings; people visit friends and relatives and gifts and sweets and given.
• Eid Al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) is a religious festival Muslims celebrate worldwide.
• Commemoration of God's forgiveness of Ibrahim (Abraham).
• Festivities lasts for three days falling on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja on the lunar Islamic calendar.
• Those who can afford to do so sacrifice their best domestic animals (sheep, camels, cows, and goats) as a symbol of Ibrahim’s sacrifice.
• The sacrificed animals are called «udhiya».
• A big portion of this meat is given to the poor and hungry, the remainder is cooked for family as friends are invited.

Unit 5: Transportation in Saudi Arabia

• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has numerous modern roads that link all parts of country.
• Railway networks and air transport services are by Saudi Arabian Airlines.
• Sea transportation has experienced development, with established seaports across Kingdom.
• The length of paved agricultural roads reached 130,000 kilometers.
• Road network exceeds 56,000 kilometers.
• The roads cost more than SR 130 billion Saudi Riyal.
• The Saudi Arabian Public Transport Co. (SAPTCO), runs a fleet of buses.
• An electric sky train system will be installed in King Abdullah Road, King Fahd Road and Al Olaya Road.
• The project will run for 25km for communication.
• Railway lines link Riyadh to Dammam, including Hofuf, and Haradh.
• Project is connecting Riyadh with Jeddah and Makkah, another one connect with Buraidah Ha’il Northern Saudi Arabia.
• The Saudi Government is building a 400-kilometer link between the holy shrine cities.
• Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) transport passengers and baggage.
• The firm’s purpose is to develop the air transport sector.
• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has 27 airports, including: 4 international, 6 regional and 17 domestic.
• King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh opened in 1983 AD as thirty-kilometers from north Riyadh, its capacity is roughly around 20 million.
• King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah was built in 1981AD. Consists of three terminals and 105 sq km.
• King Fahd International Airport in the Easter Region and 780sq. kilometers wide.
• Saudi Arabia has eight major ports with 183 piers.
• Kingdom receives 12,000 ships annually.
• Private sector began the privatization and Incentives occurred in 1997 AD.
• The major seaports in Saudi Arabia are: Jeddah Islamic Seaport, King Abdul Aziz Seaport (Dammam), King Fahd Industrial Seaport (Jubail), King Fahd International Seaport (Yanbu), Jizan Seaport, Jubail Commercial Seaport, Yanbu Commercial Seaport, Dheba seaport.
• There are also twelve secondary seaports; these ports are run by Saudi Ports Authority.

Unit 6: Agriculture and Water Resources

• In the later 1960's and 1970's, agricultural products in Saudi Arabia were small, only involving independent farmers.
• Modern irrigation techniques involved the Second and Third 5- Year Plans has resulted in the optimal use of water and land.
• Saudi farming has the largest wheat production in the region and excess/surplus is exported to worldwide regions.
• Products include eggs, poultry, and dairy products.
• Locally grown fruit and vegetables provide a much cheaper product.
• Onions, grapes, oranges, lemons and tomatoes are produced in large quantities.
• Saudi Arabia grows 10% of the date palms in the world.
• Agriculture must be supplied as artificial due the lack of permanent surface water for crops.
• Water reserves can supply probably for 200 years.
• Deposits are drilled for in a similar way to oil drilling.
• Very deep aquifers are in many areas of northern and eastern Arabia and The Wasia provides water that extends over the Arabian Gulf.
• Saudi Arabia has the highest rank among most production.
• 743,640,000 gallons per day in production capacity enabled the Kingdom and most its cities and villages.
• Irrigation is in the form of a pivot-based method.
• Irrigation pivot produces circular fields up to a kilometer in diameter.
• Wheat farms have become successful and now over 15,000 irrigation units are now used, for The Qasim, Ha`il and Al-Kharj region.
• Green circles appear In Hail where flat landscape make pivotal irrigation systems.

Unit 7: Flora and Fauna

• Flora is commonly used for plant life.
• Fauna is used for animal life.
• Arabian Peninsula connects to Africa and Asia as part of Super Continent Gondawa.
• Supercontinent split and drift apart causes species to spread and distribute across the various supercontinent segments.
• There are no specific forest areas.
• Tree species are cluster forms.
• Juniper trees are cooler, wetter from Sarawat in the South West region of Asir where fertile soil exists-
• Tree acacias are in western and central areas from Asir region.
• The ranges of plants that natural grew in Saudi Arabia includes the Endemic.
• «Endemic» means they exist in the specific partilcuar area as plants have specific roots, or store water.
• Arfaj shrub contains yellow.
• Rimth is a saltbush that grows well from the high salts contents.
• Date palms include source of food, wood, and National Emblem.
• The Arabian Oryx and the Sand Gazelle roam The Rhim, which are colored due camouflage in Rub-Khali-
• Nubian Ibex are horned, live in small numbers in mountainous regions as the Sarawat in the western region.
• Wild Cats contain cheetah.
• Sand Cats have large ear and lives by avoiding water.
• Foxes comprise of four areas; Arabian Fox, Ruppell Fox, Fennec Fox, and Blandford Fox that lives in conditions and can survive in underground shelter avoid by sun.
• The gecko exists in forms climbing house was and is often found.
• Lizards are common and harmless.
• There are over 40 species of snakes, very poisonous and can also be found in waters.
• Saudi has plethora of insects mosquito and locusts have measures eradicated here.
• Scoprion contains relatively dangerous though deadly stings, and has painful sting.
• Spider contains looks generally harmless.

Unit 8: The Saudi Industries

• The government has provided the establishment of an industrial sector.

• Providing employment by expanding into a variety of areas to support opportunities Saudi can do.

• Industrial sector comprises of classified four categories: Resource based industries such as processing foods, wood, leather rubber projects.

• Petroleum is an increase on 45% of GDP revenue based and is 90 percent to export.

• Since 1976 the foundation back bone created in to the largest in successful.

• SABIC can impact the role in domestic economy.

• Saudi ARAMCO manages operation of sectors and refining.

• Crude stabilization is located at ABQAIQ.

• 80% revenue is percentage to revenues.

• The development has been sources for economy.

• 95% is the percent of percentage revenue to natural feedstocks.

• SABIC company located in 1976.

• International and domestic.

• New mining code helps set up sector to domestic.

• Expansion of 5 which has Mahd ADDahab AI hajar gold mines. Ma’aden is a company aluminium to kingdom, with low and project.