1. Saudi Arabia
green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932; the flag is manufactured with differing obverse and reverse sides so that the Shahada reads - and the sword points - correctly from right to left on both sides

2. GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES

3. Saudi Arabia Part of the Arabian Peninsula
Saudi Arabia is one fourth the size of the United States
Deserts cover much of the east and south
There are mountain ranges in the southwest
There are no rivers or lakes
The Red Sea borders the west and the Persian Gulf borders the east
Largest oil reserve known
to man.

4. Deserts
These deserts have historically provided the Middle East with natural barriers against invasion
Rub al-Khali, or Empty Quarter,” in southern Saudi Arabia.
the Empty Quarter is the largest sand desert in the world.

5. Wadis – Instant Springs

6. Wadis
Wadis are dry stream beds that fill with water only after rainfall in a desert or steppe region.

7. Desert Oasis: Water at a Premium!

8. OASIS
Oasis is a place where water comes to the surface in desert area.
"oasis" is believed to come from an ancient Egyptian word, "wah," meaning "fertile place in the desert."

9. Religion Islam-The Big Picture
The Prophet Muhammad receives the revelation of the Qu’ran in 610
Qu’ran is the holy book of Islam
The two holiest cities of Islam are Makkah & Medina
The Qu’ran holds 114 chapters or “surahs”. It took 21 years for the Qu’ran to be fully revealed. The Qu’ran’s surahs are not ordered chronologically but according to length- longest to shortest
Medina
Makkah

10. Pilgrims On The Road to And Camped Outside of Makkah

11. Al-Haram Mosque Holds the Kaaba

12. The Kaaba
which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.
The rites of the Hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include circling the Ka'abah seven times, and going seven times between the mountains of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafa and join in prayers for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgement.
In previous centuries the Hajj was an arduous undertaking. Today, however, Saudi Arabia provides millions of people with water, modern transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities.
The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar.
The Hajj season concludes with the Eid Al-Adha holiday, in which it is traditional for families to slaughter a sheep in memory of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son.
Hagar circled the mts of Safa and Marwa seven times during her search for water with Ishmael son of Abraham. So circle the Kaba seven ties
God told Arbraham and Ishmael to buld an alter there.
When circling they recite God is Great, God is Great, God is Great, and God be Praised
Located in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, the Kaaba is the most sacred site for Muslims. A Muslim must take the hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca at least once in his/her life.

14. Language
Arabic

15. Calligraphy Revered art in Saudi Arabia
Primary subject matter has historically been the Holy Qur’an
Elizabeth

16. Daily Life

17. Climate of country
Temperatures can reach over 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the desert in the summer,
In the winter temperatures in the north and central parts of the country can drop below freezing.
Very little rain, only about four inches a year on average.
humidity in coastal regions up to 100 percent
rainfall, from none at all for up to 10 years in the Rub Al-Khali, to 20 inches a year in the mountains of Asir Province

18. Fresh Groundwater Sources
50% OF WATER FROM DESALINIZATION (2011)

19. Desalinization Plants

20. Insert sound of a camel

21. Sports Soccer, camel racing, volleyball, swimming, and basketball.
Camels start racing when they are two years old.
They practice running every day.

23. History

24. Saudi Arabia An Ancient Trade Center The Birth of Islam
Located between the two great centers of civilization, the Nile River Valley and Mesopotamia
The Birth of Islam
Year 610, Muhammad, received a message from God in Makkah
622, the Prophet led his followers to Medina
The Islamic Empire
100 years after the birth of Islam, the Islamic Empire extended from Spain to parts of India and China
Caliph religious and political leaders of the empire or caliphate

25. Saudi Arabia
1902, Abdul Aziz captured Riyadh & set on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian Peninsula
The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by King Abdul-Aziz
Housed the Kuwaiti Royal family and 400,000 refugees after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990
Allowed Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait during Desert Storm in 1991.
The presence of US troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003

26. Government of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a Monarchy
Abdallah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud is the King and Prime Minister
Islamic (sharia) legal system
To vote 21 years of age; male
National symbol: palm tree surmounting two crossed swords

27. Saudi Arabia Population: 26.6 million
Includes 5.5 million non-nationals
Ethnic groups: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
82% of total population Urban
rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change

28. Desert Bedouins 1 million in Saudi
Desert dwellers and nomads are a very family oriented tight knit group and place high importance on their honor. Saying goes I against my brother, my brother and I versus my cousin, my cousins and I against a stranger

29. Food and People
Most popular food in Saudi Arabia is kabsa which is rice and meat
Arabic tea is also a famous custom
Some family members live in separate houses, but many extended families live together.

30. Women Women cannot vote or be elected to high political positions.
Women will be able to vote and run in the 2015 local elections
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that prohibits women from driving.
There is evidence that many women in Saudi Arabia do not want radical change
Niqab

31. Saudi Oil Fields & Refineries

32. Saudi Arabia 20% of the world's proven oil reserves
Largest of any country
Oil industry 45% of economy

33. Leading U. S. Oil Suppliers

34. Agriculture Land useable for farming: 1.67%
Exports wheat, dates, dairy products, eggs, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables and flowers to markets around the world
Serious agricultural development began in the 1970s.

35. Arabian Peninsula Saudi Arabia Oman Yemen Persian Gulf States Kuwait
Bahrain
Qatar
United Arab Emirates