Saudi Arabia
When I think of the Middle East, several things come to mind. Firstly, the region is known for its abundant oil reserves. Additionally, much of the area is characterized by arid deserts. Lastly, the Middle East is considered the birthplace of Islam. Today, we will explore Saudi Arabia, a country located in this region.
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Saudi Arabia is an Arab country located on the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is the only country that has coastlines on both the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf). The majority of its land is composed of inhospitable deserts and barren wilderness. Consequently, while Saudi Arabia possesses abundant oil resources, it relies on the sale of oil to other countries to sustain its economy.
Economy: Saudi Arabia's economy is heavily reliant on oil, making it susceptible to fluctuations in oil prices. The country holds approximately 24% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, making it the largest oil exporter globally. The petroleum industry contributes around 75% of the nation's revenue. With the support of the petrochemical and fuel industries, Saudi Arabia has been classified as a high-income economy.
Indeed, as petroleum is a non-renewable resource and oil prices are subject to uncontrollable factors, Saudi Arabia has begun encouraging the development of tourism to reduce its dependency on oil.
Tourism: Saudi Arabia boasts vast deserts, lush mountains, pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and historical landmarks. The country is home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In 2019, Saudi Arabia officially opened its tourism industry and began issuing tourist visas to 49 countries. Tourists can apply for an electronic visa through the official Saudi Arabia website, eliminating the need to visit consulates. However, visitors must dress modestly and abide by local alcohol restrictions. Additionally, tourists holding electronic visas are not permitted to enter the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Other places such as the carved tombs of the Madain Saleh archaeological site are also worth visiting. It's worth noting that the Saudi Arabia visa approval process is stringent, and they do not welcome visitors from the United States, hence they do not issue visas to Americans.
Madain Saleh Ruins (Source: Wikipedia)