Saudi Studies Lesson 4 PDF

Pakistan International School Jeddah (English Section) 2024-2025 AS - Saudi Studies Lesson 4 Name: _____________________________ D...

Pakistan International School Jeddah (English Section) 2024-2025 AS - Saudi Studies Lesson 4 Name: _____________________________ Date: ________________________ Transportation and communication At the time of the establishment of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, the country lacked modern transportation facilities and ports, and had less than 30 miles of paved roads. Today, the Kingdom has a modern transportation network of roads, railroads, air, marine and public transport. The country is also linked by a sophisticated communications network that serves as a basis for its economic growth and development. These accomplishments are all the more remarkable due to the great distances between cities and the rugged terrain of much of the country. Establishing a Modern Network For thousands of years, merchants, pilgrims and Bedouins have been traveling the ancient trade and caravan routes of the Arabian Peninsula. Journeying through such a vast desert region was extremely difficult and risky, often taking a month or more of arduous travel to cross the peninsula. Passage through the vast deserts was only possible during the cooler hours of the day and less harsh seasons of the year. So, one of the development plans focused on improving the Kingdom’s transportation infrastructure, and Saudi Arabia now possesses one of the finest national transportation networks in the world. Air Travel The most important airports in the Kingdom: King Khalid International in Riyadh, King Fahd International in Dhahran and the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. There are also 35 regional and local airports. Saudi Arabia has made a special effort to expand its air transport facilities to accommodate some two million Muslim pilgrims to come to the Kingdom each year. The King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is a center for pilgrims arriving for the hajj and has a dedicated pilgrim terminal. In addition, Saudi Arabian Airlines runs extra flights during the hajj to accommodate the large number of pilgrims who travel to the Kingdom by air. Marine Transportation Saudi Arabia has 21 large, modern ports that facilitate industrial development. Around 12,000 ships visit Saudi ports each year, totaling one ship every 30 minutes. More than half of Saudi Arabia’s Sea traffic passes through the Islamic Port of Jeddah, one of the main ports in the Middle East and an entry point for  pilgrims. New port facilities at Yanbu Industrial City on the Red Sea have eased Jeddah’s load and improved the efficiency of petrochemical exports. Other major ports are located in Dammam, Jizan and Jubail. Saudi Ports: King Abdulaziz Port Dammam King Fahad Industrial Port Yanbu Jubail Commercial Port King Fahad Industrial Port Jubail Yanbu Commercial Port Jizan Port Dhiba Port Ras Al-khair Port Public Transportation The Saudi bus network provides affordable transport both within and between the Kingdom’s cities. Operated by the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO). It carries annually more than 3 million passengers within large urban centers such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah and Makkah, and to cities and towns across the country. Railroads that Facilitate Industry Saudi Arabia’s rail network is managed by the Saudi Railway Organization (SRO). There is railway network between Dammam-Riyadh includes stops in Hofuf and Abqaiq. Also, in Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah. Communications The Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology oversees allmodern communications technologies in the Kingdom. The major provider in Saudi Arabia is the partially privatized Saudi Telecommunications Company (STC), one of the largest telecom services operators in the world. Mobily and Zain, also provides mobile phone services. Internet usage is growing rapidly in Saudi Arabia. More and more lines are being provisioned for Internet access to accommodate increasing demand. Vision 2030 and Transport and Communications Based on Vision 2030 three pillars: a vibrant society, a thriving community, an ambitious nation, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia works along with the Ministry of Transport and its entities to enhance its role in achieving Vision 2030. Thereupon, it has designed the required plans and objectives to achieve the operational development and launch initiatives. Some of which are: Reducing road traffic deaths. Raising safety rates on the current and future road traffic. Improving the roads’ life cycle cost and performance. Achieving revenues from the roads’ assets. Families of people with special needs Foster families for orphans Marriage Provide chairs for the special needs and equip their car  Date:…………………. Quest for knowledge Exercise 1: Determine whether the following statements are true or false. 1. Saudi Arabia had a sophisticated transportation network in 1932. ( ) 2. The King Abdulaziz International Airport is located in Riyadh. ( ) 3. Jeddah serves as a major entry point for pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia. ( ) 4. The Saudi bus network is operated by the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO). ( ) 5. Vision 2030 does not include any plans for improving transportation and communication. ( ) Exercise 2: Discuss the following questions in pairs: 1. Why is reducing road traffic deaths important for achieving Vision 2030? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. How can improving transportation infrastructure contribute to the economic growth of Saudi Arabia? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.What role do you think communication technologies play in building a vibrant society? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------