Asir Highlands in south-west is the only region with regular rainfall. In the east there are salt flats, and a number of wadis cross the north east regions. Climate Desert climate - hot and dry. Summer temperatures can reach 55 C in the interior. Winter is mild.
Many regions remain rainless for years.
The nomadic tradition of the population means that many Saudis have branches of their families in Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq. In the last census the nomadic population was 1,883,987. Hufuf Language Arabic is the official language. English is taught in schools and is widely spoken in most cities. Makkah, the birthplace of Islam, and Medina are Islam s holiest places.