Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al
Saud
chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York
telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. JORDAN embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh mailing address: American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693 telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800 FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360 consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)
Flag description:
green with large white Arabic script (that may be 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); green is
the traditional color of Islam
Economy Saudi Arabia
Economy - overview:
This is an oil-based economy with strong government controls over
major economic activities. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of
petroleum in the world (26% of the proved reserves), ranks as the
largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The
petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 45% of
GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 25% of GDP comes from the
private sector. Roughly 4 million foreign workers play an important
role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service
sectors. The government in 1999 announced plans to begin privatizing
the electricity companies, which follows the ongoing privatization
of the telecommunications company. The government is supporting
private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil and
increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population.
Priorities for government spending in the short term include
additional funds for the water and sewage systems and for education.
Water shortages and rapid population growth constrain the
government's efforts to increase self-sufficiency in agricultural
products.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $268.9 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $11,400 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5.2%
industry: 51.2%
services: 43.6% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%