This entry includes three subfields. Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Water area is the sum of the surfaces of all inland water bodies, such as lakes, reservoirs, or rivers, as delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines.

Topic: Afghanistantotal: 652,230 sq km

land: 652,230 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Akrotiritotal: 123 sq km

note: includes a salt lake and wetlands

Topic: Albaniatotal: 28,748 sq km

land: 27,398 sq km

water: 1,350 sq km

Topic: Algeriatotal: 2,381,740 sq km

land: 2,381,740 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: American Samoatotal: 224 sq km

land: 224 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Rose Atoll and Swains Island

Topic: Andorratotal: 468 sq km

land: 468 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Angolatotal: 1,246,700 sq km

land: 1,246,700 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Anguillatotal: 91 sq km

land: 91 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Antarcticatotal: 14.2 million sq km

land: 14.2 million sq km (285,000 sq km ice-free, 13.915 million sq km ice-covered) (est.)

note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe

Topic: Antigua and Barbudatotal: 443 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km)

land: 443 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km

Topic: Arctic Oceantotal: 15.558 million sq km

note: includes Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, Norwegian Sea, and other tributary water bodies

Topic: Argentinatotal: 2,780,400 sq km

land: 2,736,690 sq km

water: 43,710 sq km

Topic: Armeniatotal: 29,743 sq km

land: 28,203 sq km

water: 1,540 sq km

Topic: Arubatotal: 180 sq km

land: 180 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandstotal: 5 sq km

land: 5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island

Topic: Atlantic Oceantotal: 85.133 million sq km

note: includes Baffin Bay, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Gulf of Mexico, Labrador Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, almost all of the Scotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies

Topic: Australiatotal: 7,741,220 sq km

land: 7,682,300 sq km

water: 58,920 sq km

note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island

Topic: Austriatotal: 83,871 sq km

land: 82,445 sq km

water: 1,426 sq km

Topic: Azerbaijantotal: 86,600 sq km

land: 82,629 sq km

water: 3,971 sq km

note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991

Topic: Bahamas, Thetotal: 13,880 sq km

land: 10,010 sq km

water: 3,870 sq km

Topic: Bahraintotal: 760 sq km

land: 760 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Bangladeshtotal: 148,460 sq km

land: 130,170 sq km

water: 18,290 sq km

Topic: Barbadostotal: 430 sq km

land: 430 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Belarustotal: 207,600 sq km

land: 202,900 sq km

water: 4,700 sq km

Topic: Belgiumtotal: 30,528 sq km

land: 30,278 sq km

water: 250 sq km

Topic: Belizetotal: 22,966 sq km

land: 22,806 sq km

water: 160 sq km

Topic: Benintotal: 112,622 sq km

land: 110,622 sq km

water: 2,000 sq km

Topic: Bermudatotal: 54 sq km

land: 54 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Bhutantotal: 38,394 sq km

land: 38,394 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Boliviatotal: 1,098,581 sq km

land: 1,083,301 sq km

water: 15,280 sq km

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinatotal: 51,197 sq km

land: 51,187 sq km

water: 10 sq km

Topic: Botswanatotal: 581,730 sq km

land: 566,730 sq km

water: 15,000 sq km

Topic: Bouvet Islandtotal: 49 sq km

land: 49 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Braziltotal: 8,515,770 sq km

land: 8,358,140 sq km

water: 157,630 sq km

note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo

Topic: British Indian Ocean Territorytotal: 60 sq km

land: 60 sq km (44 Diego Garcia)

water: 54,340 sq km

note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago of 55 islands

Topic: British Virgin Islandstotal: 151 sq km

land: 151 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke

Topic: Bruneitotal: 5,765 sq km

land: 5,265 sq km

water: 500 sq km

Topic: Bulgariatotal: 110,879 sq km

land: 108,489 sq km

water: 2,390 sq km

Topic: Burkina Fasototal: 274,200 sq km

land: 273,800 sq km

water: 400 sq km

Topic: Burmatotal: 676,578 sq km

land: 653,508 sq km

water: 23,070 sq km

Topic: Burunditotal: 27,830 sq km

land: 25,680 sq km

water: 2,150 sq km

Topic: Cabo Verdetotal: 4,033 sq km

land: 4,033 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Cambodiatotal: 181,035 sq km

land: 176,515 sq km

water: 4,520 sq km

Topic: Cameroontotal: 475,440 sq km

land: 472,710 sq km

water: 2,730 sq km

Topic: Canadatotal: 9,984,670 sq km

land: 9,093,507 sq km

water: 891,163 sq km

Topic: Cayman Islandstotal: 264 sq km

land: 264 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Central African Republictotal: 622,984 sq km

land: 622,984 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Chadtotal: 1.284 million sq km

land: 1,259,200 sq km

water: 24,800 sq km

Topic: Chiletotal: 756,102 sq km

land: 743,812 sq km

water: 12,290 sq km

note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez

Topic: Chinatotal: 9,596,960 sq km

land: 9,326,410 sq km

water: 270,550 sq km

Topic: Christmas Islandtotal: 135 sq km

land: 135 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Clipperton Islandtotal: 6 sq km

land: 6 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandstotal: 14 sq km

land: 14 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island

Topic: Colombiatotal: 1,138,910 sq km

land: 1,038,700 sq km

water: 100,210 sq km

note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank

Topic: Comorostotal: 2,235 sq km

land: 2,235 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetotal: 2,344,858 sq km

land: 2,267,048 sq km

water: 77,810 sq km

Topic: Congo, Republic of thetotal: 342,000 sq km

land: 341,500 sq km

water: 500 sq km

Topic: Cook Islandstotal: 236 sq km

land: 236 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Coral Sea Islandstotal: 3 sq km less than

land: 3 sq km less than

water: 0 sq km

note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km (300,000 sq mi) with the Willis Islets the most important

Topic: Costa Ricatotal: 51,100 sq km

land: 51,060 sq km

water: 40 sq km

note: includes Isla del Coco

Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretotal: 322,463 sq km

land: 318,003 sq km

water: 4,460 sq km

Topic: Croatiatotal: 56,594 sq km

land: 55,974 sq km

water: 620 sq km

Topic: Cubatotal: 110,860 sq km

land: 109,820 sq km

water: 1,040 sq km

Topic: Curacaototal: 444 sq km

land: 444 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Cyprustotal: 9,251 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus)

land: 9,241 sq km

water: 10 sq km

Topic: Czechiatotal: 78,867 sq km

land: 77,247 sq km

water: 1,620 sq km

Topic: Denmarktotal: 43,094 sq km

land: 42,434 sq km

water: 660 sq km

note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland

Topic: Dhekeliatotal: 131 sq km

note: area surrounds three Cypriot enclaves

Topic: Djiboutitotal: 23,200 sq km

land: 23,180 sq km

water: 20 sq km

Topic: Dominicatotal: 751 sq km

land: 751 sq km

water: NEGL

Topic: Dominican Republictotal: 48,670 sq km

land: 48,320 sq km

water: 350 sq km

Topic: Ecuadortotal: 283,561 sq km

land: 276,841 sq km

water: 6,720 sq km

note: includes Galapagos Islands

Topic: Egypttotal: 1,001,450 sq km

land: 995,450 sq km

water: 6,000 sq km

Topic: El Salvadortotal: 21,041 sq km

land: 20,721 sq km

water: 320 sq km

Topic: Equatorial Guineatotal: 28,051 sq km

land: 28,051 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Eritreatotal: 117,600 sq km

land: 101,000 sq km

water: 16,600 sq km

Topic: Estoniatotal: 45,228 sq km

land: 42,388 sq km

water: 2,840 sq km

note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea

Topic: Eswatinitotal: 17,364 sq km

land: 17,204 sq km

water: 160 sq km

Topic: Ethiopiatotal: 1,104,300 sq km

land: 1,096,570 sq km

water: 7,730 sq km

note: area numbers are approximate since a large portion of the Ethiopia-Somalia border is undefined

Topic: European Uniontotal: 4,236,351 sq km

rank by area (sq km):
1. France (includes five overseas regions) 643,801
2. Spain 505,370
3. Sweden 450,295
4. Germany 357,022
5. Finland 338,145
6. Poland 312,685
7. Italy 301,340
8. Romania 238,391
9. Greece 131,957
10. Bulgaria 110,879
11. Hungary 93,028
12. Portugal 92,090
13. Austria 83,871
14. Czechia 78,867
15. Ireland 70,273
16. Lithuania 65,300
17. Latvia 64,589
18. Croatia 56,594
19. Slovakia 49,035
20. Estonia 45,228
21. Denmark 43,094
22. Netherlands 41,543
23. Belgium 30,528
24. Slovenia 20,273
25. Cyprus 9,251
26. Luxembourg 2,586
27. Malta 316

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)total: 12,173 sq km

land: 12,173 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands

Topic: Faroe Islandstotal: 1,393 sq km

land: 1,393 sq km

water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)

Topic: Fijitotal: 18,274 sq km

land: 18,274 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Finlandtotal: 338,145 sq km

land: 303,815 sq km

water: 34,330 sq km

Topic: Francetotal: 643,801 sq km ; 551,500 sq km (metropolitan France)

land: 640,427 sq km ; 549,970 sq km (metropolitan France)

water: 3,374 sq km ; 1,530 sq km (metropolitan France)

note: the first numbers include the overseas regions of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion

Topic: French Polynesiatotal: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls; 67 are inhabited)

land: 3,827 sq km

water: 340 sq km

Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsIle Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 55 sq km; land - 55 sq km; water - 0 sq km
 Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 7 sq km; land - 7 sq km; water - 0 sq km
 Iles Crozet: total - 352 sq km; land - 352 sq km; water - 0 sq km
 Iles Kerguelen: total - 7,215 sq km; land - 7,215 sq km; water - 0 sq km
 Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): total - 80 sq km; land - 0.2 sq km; water - 79.8 sq km (lagoon)
 Europa Island (Iles Eparses): total - 28 sq km; land - 28 sq km; water - 0 sq km
 Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): total - 5 sq km; land - 5 sq km; water - 0 sq km
 Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): total - 4.4 sq km; land - 4.4 sq km; water - 0 sq km
 Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): total - 1 sq km; land - 1 sq km; water - 0 sq km
 note: excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US

Topic: Gabontotal: 267,667 sq km

land: 257,667 sq km

water: 10,000 sq km

Topic: Gambia, Thetotal: 11,300 sq km

land: 10,120 sq km

water: 1,180 sq km

Topic: Gaza Striptotal: 360 sq km

land: 360 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Georgiatotal: 69,700 sq km

land: 69,700 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: approximately 12,560 sq km, or about 18% of Georgia's area, is Russian occupied; the seized area includes all of Abkhazia and the breakaway region of South Ossetia, which consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti

Topic: Germanytotal: 357,022 sq km

land: 348,672 sq km

water: 8,350 sq km

Topic: Ghanatotal: 238,533 sq km

land: 227,533 sq km

water: 11,000 sq km

Topic: Gibraltartotal: 7 sq km

land: 6.5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Greecetotal: 131,957 sq km

land: 130,647 sq km

water: 1,310 sq km

Topic: Greenlandtotal: 2,166,086 sq km

land: 2,166,086 sq km (approximately 1,710,000 sq km ice-covered)

Topic: Grenadatotal: 344 sq km

land: 344 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Guamtotal: 544 sq km

land: 544 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Guatemalatotal: 108,889 sq km

land: 107,159 sq km

water: 1,730 sq km

Topic: Guernseytotal: 78 sq km

land: 78 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands

Topic: Guineatotal: 245,857 sq km

land: 245,717 sq km

water: 140 sq km

Topic: Guinea-Bissautotal: 36,125 sq km

land: 28,120 sq km

water: 8,005 sq km

Topic: Guyanatotal: 214,969 sq km

land: 196,849 sq km

water: 18,120 sq km

Topic: Haititotal: 27,750 sq km

land: 27,560 sq km

water: 190 sq km

Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandstotal: 412 sq km

land: 412 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)total: 0 sq km

land: 0.44 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Hondurastotal: 112,090 sq km

land: 111,890 sq km

water: 200 sq km

Topic: Hong Kongtotal: 1,108 sq km

land: 1,073 sq km

water: 35 sq km

Topic: Hungarytotal: 93,028 sq km

land: 89,608 sq km

water: 3,420 sq km

Topic: Icelandtotal: 103,000 sq km

land: 100,250 sq km

water: 2,750 sq km

Topic: Indiatotal: 3,287,263 sq km

land: 2,973,193 sq km

water: 314,070 sq km

Topic: Indian Oceantotal: 70.560 million sq km

note: includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Mozambique Channel, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Savu Sea, Strait of Malacca, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodies

Topic: Indonesiatotal: 1,904,569 sq km

land: 1,811,569 sq km

water: 93,000 sq km

Topic: Irantotal: 1,648,195 sq km

land: 1,531,595 sq km

water: 116,600 sq km

Topic: Iraqtotal: 438,317 sq km

land: 437,367 sq km

water: 950 sq km

Topic: Irelandtotal: 70,273 sq km

land: 68,883 sq km

water: 1,390 sq km

Topic: Isle of Mantotal: 572 sq km

land: 572 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Israeltotal: 21,937 sq km

land: 21,497 sq km

water: 440 sq km

Topic: Italytotal: 301,340 sq km

land: 294,140 sq km

water: 7,200 sq km

note: includes Sardinia and Sicily

Topic: Jamaicatotal: 10,991 sq km

land: 10,831 sq km

water: 160 sq km

Topic: Jan Mayentotal: 377 sq km

land: 377 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Japantotal: 377,915 sq km

land: 364,485 sq km

water: 13,430 sq km

note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto)

Topic: Jerseytotal: 116 sq km

land: 116 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Jordantotal: 89,342 sq km

land: 88,802 sq km

water: 540 sq km

Topic: Kazakhstantotal: 2,724,900 sq km

land: 2,699,700 sq km

water: 25,200 sq km

Topic: Kenyatotal: 580,367 sq km

land: 569,140 sq km

water: 11,227 sq km

Topic: Kiribatitotal: 811 sq km

land: 811 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, and Phoenix Islands - dispersed over about 3.5 million sq km (1.35 million sq mi)

Topic: Korea, Northtotal: 120,538 sq km

land: 120,408 sq km

water: 130 sq km

Topic: Korea, Southtotal: 99,720 sq km

land: 96,920 sq km

water: 2,800 sq km

Topic: Kosovototal: 10,887 sq km

land: 10,887 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Kuwaittotal: 17,818 sq km

land: 17,818 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Kyrgyzstantotal: 199,951 sq km

land: 191,801 sq km

water: 8,150 sq km

Topic: Laostotal: 236,800 sq km

land: 230,800 sq km

water: 6,000 sq km

Topic: Latviatotal: 64,589 sq km

land: 62,249 sq km

water: 2,340 sq km

Topic: Lebanontotal: 10,400 sq km

land: 10,230 sq km

water: 170 sq km

Topic: Lesothototal: 30,355 sq km

land: 30,355 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Liberiatotal: 111,369 sq km

land: 96,320 sq km

water: 15,049 sq km

Topic: Libyatotal: 1,759,540 sq km

land: 1,759,540 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Liechtensteintotal: 160 sq km

land: 160 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Lithuaniatotal: 65,300 sq km

land: 62,680 sq km

water: 2,620 sq km

Topic: Luxembourgtotal: 2,586 sq km

land: 2,586 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Macautotal: 28 sq km

land: 28.2 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Madagascartotal: 587,041 sq km

land: 581,540 sq km

water: 5,501 sq km

Topic: Malawitotal: 118,484 sq km

land: 94,080 sq km

water: 24,404 sq km

Topic: Malaysiatotal: 329,847 sq km

land: 328,657 sq km

water: 1,190 sq km

Topic: Maldivestotal: 298 sq km

land: 298 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Malitotal: 1,240,192 sq km

land: 1,220,190 sq km

water: 20,002 sq km

Topic: Maltatotal: 316 sq km

land: 316 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Marshall Islandstotal: 181 sq km

land: 181 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km of lagoon waters and encompasses the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik

Topic: Mauritaniatotal: 1,030,700 sq km

land: 1,030,700 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Mauritiustotal: 2,040 sq km

land: 2,030 sq km

water: 10 sq km

note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues

Topic: Mexicototal: 1,964,375 sq km

land: 1,943,945 sq km

water: 20,430 sq km

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oftotal: 702 sq km

land: 702 sq km

water: 0 sq km (fresh water only)

note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)

Topic: Moldovatotal: 33,851 sq km

land: 32,891 sq km

water: 960 sq km

Topic: Monacototal: 2 sq km

land: 2 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Mongoliatotal: 1,564,116 sq km

land: 1,553,556 sq km

water: 10,560 sq km

Topic: Montenegrototal: 13,812 sq km

land: 13,452 sq km

water: 360 sq km

Topic: Montserrattotal: 102 sq km

land: 102 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Moroccototal: 716,550 sq km

land: 716,300 sq km

water: 250 sq km

Topic: Mozambiquetotal: 799,380 sq km

land: 786,380 sq km

water: 13,000 sq km

Topic: Namibiatotal: 824,292 sq km

land: 823,290 sq km

water: 1,002 sq km

Topic: Naurutotal: 21 sq km

land: 21 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Navassa Islandtotal: 5 sq km

land: 5.4 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Nepaltotal: 147,181 sq km

land: 143,351 sq km

water: 3,830 sq km

Topic: Netherlandstotal: 41,543 sq km

land: 33,893 sq km

water: 7,650 sq km

Topic: New Caledoniatotal: 18,575 sq km

land: 18,275 sq km

water: 300 sq km

Topic: New Zealandtotal: 268,838 sq km

land: 264,537 sq km

water: 4,301 sq km

note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands

Topic: Nicaraguatotal: 130,370 sq km

land: 119,990 sq km

water: 10,380 sq km

Topic: Nigertotal: 1.267 million sq km

land: 1,266,700 sq km

water: 300 sq km

Topic: Nigeriatotal: 923,768 sq km

land: 910,768 sq km

water: 13,000 sq km

Topic: Niuetotal: 260 sq km

land: 260 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Norfolk Islandtotal: 36 sq km

land: 36 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: North Macedoniatotal: 25,713 sq km

land: 25,433 sq km

water: 280 sq km

Topic: Northern Mariana Islandstotal: 464 sq km

land: 464 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian

Topic: Norwaytotal: 323,802 sq km

land: 304,282 sq km

water: 19,520 sq km

Topic: Omantotal: 309,500 sq km

land: 309,500 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Pacific Oceantotal: 161.760 million sq km

note: includes Arafura Sea, Bali Sea, Banda Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Celebes Sea, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Flores Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, Java Sea, Philippine Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, Solomon Sea, South China Sea, Sulu Sea, Tasman Sea, and other tributary water bodies

Topic: Pakistantotal: 796,095 sq km

land: 770,875 sq km

water: 25,220 sq km

Topic: Palautotal: 459 sq km

land: 459 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Panamatotal: 75,420 sq km

land: 74,340 sq km

water: 1,080 sq km

Topic: Papua New Guineatotal: 462,840 sq km

land: 452,860 sq km

water: 9,980 sq km

Topic: Paracel Islandstotal: 8 sq km ca.

land: 7.75 sq km ca.

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Paraguaytotal: 406,752 sq km

land: 397,302 sq km

water: 9,450 sq km

Topic: Perutotal: 1,285,216 sq km

land: 1,279,996 sq km

water: 5,220 sq km

Topic: Philippinestotal: 300,000 sq km

land: 298,170 sq km

water: 1,830 sq km

Topic: Pitcairn Islandstotal: 47 sq km

land: 47 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Polandtotal: 312,685 sq km

land: 304,255 sq km

water: 8,430 sq km

Topic: Portugaltotal: 92,090 sq km

land: 91,470 sq km

water: 620 sq km

note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands

Topic: Puerto Ricototal: 9,104 sq km

land: 8,959 sq km

water: 145 sq km

Topic: Qatartotal: 11,586 sq km

land: 11,586 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Romaniatotal: 238,391 sq km

land: 229,891 sq km

water: 8,500 sq km

Topic: Russiatotal: 17,098,242 sq km

land: 16,377,742 sq km

water: 720,500 sq km

Topic: Rwandatotal: 26,338 sq km

land: 24,668 sq km

water: 1,670 sq km

Topic: Saint Barthelemytotal: 25 sq km

land: 25 sq km

water: negligible

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhatotal: 394 sq km

land: 122 sq km Saint Helena Island

water: 0 sq km

88 sq km Ascension Island, 184 sq km Tristan da Cunha island group (includes Tristan (98 sq km), Inaccessible, Nightingale, and Gough islands)

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevistotal: 261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km)

land: 261 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Saint Luciatotal: 616 sq km

land: 606 sq km

water: 10 sq km

Topic: Saint Martintotal: 50 sq km

land: 50 sq km

water: negligible

Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelontotal: 242 sq km

land: 242 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinestotal: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km)

land: 389 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Samoatotal: 2,831 sq km

land: 2,821 sq km

water: 10 sq km

Topic: San Marinototal: 61 sq km

land: 61 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Sao Tome and Principetotal: 964 sq km

land: 964 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Saudi Arabiatotal: 2,149,690 sq km

land: 2,149,690 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Senegaltotal: 196,722 sq km

land: 192,530 sq km

water: 4,192 sq km

Topic: Serbiatotal: 77,474 sq km

land: 77,474 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Seychellestotal: 455 sq km

land: 455 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Sierra Leonetotal: 71,740 sq km

land: 71,620 sq km

water: 120 sq km

Topic: Singaporetotal: 719 sq km

land: 709.2 sq km

water: 10 sq km

Topic: Sint Maartentotal: 34 sq km

land: 34 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin

Topic: Slovakiatotal: 49,035 sq km

land: 48,105 sq km

water: 930 sq km

Topic: Sloveniatotal: 20,273 sq km

land: 20,151 sq km

water: 122 sq km

Topic: Solomon Islandstotal: 28,896 sq km

land: 27,986 sq km

water: 910 sq km

Topic: Somaliatotal: 637,657 sq km

land: 627,337 sq km

water: 10,320 sq km

Topic: South Africatotal: 1,219,090 sq km

land: 1,214,470 sq km

water: 4,620 sq km

note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward Island)

Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandstotal: 3,903 sq km

land: 3,903 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia Island, Bird Island, and the South Sandwich Islands, which consist of 11 islands

Topic: South Sudantotal: 644,329 sq km

land: NA

water: NA

Topic: Southern Oceantotal: 21.960 million sq km

note: includes Amundsen Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, part of the Drake Passage, Ross Sea, a small part of the Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea, and other tributary water bodies

Topic: Spaintotal: 505,370 sq km

land: 498,980 sq km

water: 6,390 sq km

note: there are two autonomous cities - Ceuta and Melilla - and 17 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the coast of Morocco - Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera

Topic: Spratly Islandstotal: 5 sq km less than

land: 5 sq km less than

water: 0 sq km

note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km (158,000 sq mi) of the central South China Sea

Topic: Sri Lankatotal: 65,610 sq km

land: 64,630 sq km

water: 980 sq km

Topic: Sudantotal: 1,861,484 sq km

land: 1,731,671 sq km

water: 129,813 sq km

Topic: Surinametotal: 163,820 sq km

land: 156,000 sq km

water: 7,820 sq km

Topic: Svalbardtotal: 62,045 sq km

land: 62,045 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island)

Topic: Swedentotal: 450,295 sq km

land: 410,335 sq km

water: 39,960 sq km

Topic: Switzerlandtotal: 41,277 sq km

land: 39,997 sq km

water: 1,280 sq km

Topic: Syriatotal: 187,437 sq km

land: 185,887 sq km

water: 1,550 sq km

note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory

Topic: Taiwantotal: 35,980 sq km

land: 32,260 sq km

water: 3,720 sq km

note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands

Topic: Tajikistantotal: 144,100 sq km

land: 141,510 sq km

water: 2,590 sq km

Topic: Tanzaniatotal: 947,300 sq km

land: 885,800 sq km

water: 61,500 sq km

note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar

Topic: Thailandtotal: 513,120 sq km

land: 510,890 sq km

water: 2,230 sq km

Topic: Timor-Lestetotal: 14,874 sq km

land: 14,874 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Togototal: 56,785 sq km

land: 54,385 sq km

water: 2,400 sq km

Topic: Tokelautotal: 12 sq km

land: 12 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Tongatotal: 747 sq km

land: 717 sq km

water: 30 sq km

Topic: Trinidad and Tobagototal: 5,128 sq km

land: 5,128 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Tunisiatotal: 163,610 sq km

land: 155,360 sq km

water: 8,250 sq km

Topic: Turkeytotal: 783,562 sq km

land: 769,632 sq km

water: 13,930 sq km

Topic: Turkmenistantotal: 488,100 sq km

land: 469,930 sq km

water: 18,170 sq km

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandstotal: 948 sq km

land: 948 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Tuvalutotal: 26 sq km

land: 26 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Ugandatotal: 241,038 sq km

land: 197,100 sq km

water: 43,938 sq km

Topic: Ukrainetotal: 603,550 sq km

land: 579,330 sq km

water: 24,220 sq km

note: approximately 43,133 sq km, or about 7.1% of Ukraine's area, is Russian occupied; the seized area includes all of Crimea and about one-third of both Luhans'k and Donets'k oblasts

Topic: United Arab Emiratestotal: 83,600 sq km

land: 83,600 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: United Kingdomtotal: 243,610 sq km

land: 241,930 sq km

water: 1,680 sq km

note 1: the percentage area breakdown of the four UK countries is: England 53%, Scotland 32%, Wales 9%, and Northern Ireland 6%

note 2: includes Rockall and the Shetland Islands, which are part of Scotland

Topic: United Statestotal: 9,833,517 sq km

land: 9,147,593 sq km

water: 685,924 sq km

note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia, no overseas territories

Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugesland: 6,959.41 sq km (emergent land - 22.41 sq km; submerged - 6,937 sq km)

Baker Island: total - 129.1 sq km; emergent land - 2.1 sq km; submerged - 127 sq km
 Howland Island: total - 138.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 136 sq km
 Jarvis Island: total - 152 sq km; emergent land - 5 sq km; submerged - 147 sq km
 Johnston Atoll: total - 276.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 274 sq km
 Kingman Reef: total - 1,958.01 sq km; emergent land - 0.01 sq km; submerged - 1,958 sq km
 Midway Islands: total - 2,355.2 sq km; emergent land - 6.2 sq km; submerged - 2,349 sq km
 Palmyra Atoll: total - 1,949.9 sq km; emergent land - 3.9 sq km; submerged - 1,946 sq km

Topic: Uruguaytotal: 176,215 sq km

land: 175,015 sq km

water: 1,200 sq km

Topic: Uzbekistantotal: 447,400 sq km

land: 425,400 sq km

water: 22,000 sq km

Topic: Vanuatutotal: 12,189 sq km

land: 12,189 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited

Topic: Venezuelatotal: 912,050 sq km

land: 882,050 sq km

water: 30,000 sq km

Topic: Vietnamtotal: 331,210 sq km

land: 310,070 sq km

water: 21,140 sq km

Topic: Virgin Islandstotal: 1,910 sq km

land: 346 sq km

water: 1,564 sq km

Topic: Wake Islandtotal: 7 sq km

land: 6.5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Topic: Wallis and Futunatotal: 142 sq km

land: 142 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets

Topic: West Banktotal: 5,860 sq km

land: 5,640 sq km

water: 220 sq km

note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967

Topic: Worldtotal: 510.072 million sq km

land: 148.94 million sq km

water: 361.9 million sq km

note: 70.9% of the world's surface is water, 29.1% is land

Topic: Yementotal: 527,968 sq km

land: 527,968 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen)

Topic: Zambiatotal: 752,618 sq km

land: 743,398 sq km

water: 9,220 sq km

Topic: Zimbabwetotal: 390,757 sq km

land: 386,847 sq km

water: 3,910 sq km


Topic: Photos of Saudi Arabia

Topic: Introduction
Background: Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. One of his male descendants rules the country today, as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. The continuing presence of foreign 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. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong ongoing campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. US troops returned to the Kingdom in October 2019 after attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure. From 2005 to 2015, King ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud incrementally modernized the Kingdom. Driven by personal ideology and political pragmatism, he introduced a series of social and economic initiatives, including expanding employment and social opportunities for women, attracting foreign investment, increasing the role of the private sector in the economy, and discouraging businesses from hiring foreign workers. These reforms have accelerated under King SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz, who ascended to the throne in 2015, and has since lifted the Kingdom's ban on women driving, implemented education reforms, funded green initiatives, and allowed cinemas to operate for the first time in decades. Saudi Arabia saw some protests during the 2011 Arab Spring but not the level of bloodshed seen in protests elsewhere in the region. Shia Muslims in the Eastern Province protested primarily against the detention of political prisoners, endemic discrimination, and Bahraini and Saudi Government actions in Bahrain. Riyadh took a cautious but firm approach by arresting some protesters but releasing most of them quickly and by using its state-sponsored clerics to counter political and Islamist activism. The government held its first-ever elections in 2005 and 2011, when Saudis went to the polls to elect municipal councilors. In December 2015, women were allowed to vote and stand as candidates for the first time in municipal council elections, with 19 women winning seats. After King SALMAN ascended to the throne in 2015, he placed the first next-generation prince, MUHAMMAD BIN NAYIF bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, in the line of succession as Crown Prince. He designated his son, MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, as the Deputy Crown Prince. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia led a coalition of 10 countries in a military campaign to restore the legitimate government of Yemen, which had been ousted by Huthi forces allied with former president ALI ABDULLAH al-Salih. The war in Yemen has drawn international criticism for civilian casualties and its effect on the country’s dire humanitarian situation. In December 2015, then Deputy Crown Prince MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN announced Saudi Arabia would lead a 34-nation Islamic Coalition to fight terrorism (it has since grown to 41 nations). In May 2017, Saudi Arabia inaugurated the Global Center for Combatting Extremist Ideology (also known as "Etidal") as part of its ongoing efforts to counter violent extremism. In June 2017, King SALMAN elevated MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN to Crown Prince. Since then, he has jockeyed for influence with neighboring countries in a bid to be the region’s main power broker. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds about 17% of the world's proven oil reserves as of 2020. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the Kingdom. In April 2016, the Saudi Government announced a broad set of socio-economic reforms, known as Vision 2030. Low global oil prices throughout 2015 and 2016 significantly lowered Saudi Arabia’s governmental revenue. In response, the government cut subsidies on water, electricity, and gasoline; reduced government employee compensation packages; and announced limited new land taxes. In coordination with OPEC and some key non-OPEC countries, Saudi Arabia agreed cut oil output in early 2017 to regulate supply and help elevate global prices. In early 2020, this agreement by the so-called OPEC+ coalition collapsed. Saudi Arabia launched a price war by flooding the market with low-priced oil before returning to the negotiating table to agree to OPEC+’s largest and longest-lasting output cut. This cut helped to buoy prices that had collapsed as a result of the price war and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. One of his male descendants rules the country today, as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. The continuing presence of foreign 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. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong ongoing campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. US troops returned to the Kingdom in October 2019 after attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure.From 2005 to 2015, King ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud incrementally modernized the Kingdom. Driven by personal ideology and political pragmatism, he introduced a series of social and economic initiatives, including expanding employment and social opportunities for women, attracting foreign investment, increasing the role of the private sector in the economy, and discouraging businesses from hiring foreign workers. These reforms have accelerated under King SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz, who ascended to the throne in 2015, and has since lifted the Kingdom's ban on women driving, implemented education reforms, funded green initiatives, and allowed cinemas to operate for the first time in decades. Saudi Arabia saw some protests during the 2011 Arab Spring but not the level of bloodshed seen in protests elsewhere in the region. Shia Muslims in the Eastern Province protested primarily against the detention of political prisoners, endemic discrimination, and Bahraini and Saudi Government actions in Bahrain. Riyadh took a cautious but firm approach by arresting some protesters but releasing most of them quickly and by using its state-sponsored clerics to counter political and Islamist activism.The government held its first-ever elections in 2005 and 2011, when Saudis went to the polls to elect municipal councilors. In December 2015, women were allowed to vote and stand as candidates for the first time in municipal council elections, with 19 women winning seats. After King SALMAN ascended to the throne in 2015, he placed the first next-generation prince, MUHAMMAD BIN NAYIF bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, in the line of succession as Crown Prince. He designated his son, MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, as the Deputy Crown Prince. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia led a coalition of 10 countries in a military campaign to restore the legitimate government of Yemen, which had been ousted by Huthi forces allied with former president ALI ABDULLAH al-Salih. The war in Yemen has drawn international criticism for civilian casualties and its effect on the country’s dire humanitarian situation. In December 2015, then Deputy Crown Prince MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN announced Saudi Arabia would lead a 34-nation Islamic Coalition to fight terrorism (it has since grown to 41 nations). In May 2017, Saudi Arabia inaugurated the Global Center for Combatting Extremist Ideology (also known as "Etidal") as part of its ongoing efforts to counter violent extremism. In June 2017, King SALMAN elevated MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN to Crown Prince. Since then, he has jockeyed for influence with neighboring countries in a bid to be the region’s main power broker.The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds about 17% of the world's proven oil reserves as of 2020. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the Kingdom. In April 2016, the Saudi Government announced a broad set of socio-economic reforms, known as Vision 2030. Low global oil prices throughout 2015 and 2016 significantly lowered Saudi Arabia’s governmental revenue. In response, the government cut subsidies on water, electricity, and gasoline; reduced government employee compensation packages; and announced limited new land taxes. In coordination with OPEC and some key non-OPEC countries, Saudi Arabia agreed cut oil output in early 2017 to regulate supply and help elevate global prices. In early 2020, this agreement by the so-called OPEC+ coalition collapsed. Saudi Arabia launched a price war by flooding the market with low-priced oil before returning to the negotiating table to agree to OPEC+’s largest and longest-lasting output cut. This cut helped to buoy prices that had collapsed as a result of the price war and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen
Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 2,149,690 sq km

land: 2,149,690 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
Land boundaries: total: 4,272 km

border countries (7): Iraq 811 km; Jordan 731 km; Kuwait 221 km; Oman 658 km; Qatar 87 km; UAE 457 km; Yemen 1,307 km
Coastline: 2,640 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 18 nm

continental shelf: not specified
Climate: harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Terrain: mostly sandy desert
Elevation: highest point: As Sarawat range, 3,000 m

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

mean elevation: 665 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Land use: agricultural land: 80.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.5% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 79.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 0.5% (2018 est.)

other: 18.8% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 16,200 sq km (2012)
Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System
Population distribution: historically a population that was mostly nomadic or semi-nomadic, the Saudi population has become more settled since petroleum was discovered in the 1930s; most of the economic activities - and with it the country's population - is concentrated in a wide area across the middle of the peninsula, from Ad Dammam in the east, through Riyadh in the interior, to Mecca-Medina in the west near the Red Sea
Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust stormsvolcanism: despite many volcanic formations, there has been little activity in the past few centuries; volcanoes include Harrat Rahat, Harrat Khaybar, Harrat Lunayyir, and Jabal Yarfrequent sand and dust stormsvolcanism: despite many volcanic formations, there has been little activity in the past few centuries; volcanoes include Harrat Rahat, Harrat Khaybar, Harrat Lunayyir, and Jabal Yar
Geography - note: Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the world without a river; extensive coastlines on the Persian Gulf and Red Sea allow for considerable shipping (especially of crude oil) through the Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
Map description: Saudi Arabia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and water bodies.Saudi Arabia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and water bodies.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 35,354,380 (2022 est.)

note: immigrants make up 38.3% of the total population, according to UN data (2019)
Nationality: noun: Saudi(s)

adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian
Ethnic groups: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
Languages: Arabic (official)

major-language sample(s):
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Muslim (official; citizens are 85-90% Sunni and 10-15% Shia), other (includes Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh) (2012 est.)

note: despite having a large expatriate community of various faiths (more than 30% of the population), most forms of public religious expression inconsistent with the government-sanctioned interpretation of Sunni Islam are restricted; non-Muslims are not allowed to have Saudi citizenship and non-Muslim places of worship are not permitted (2013)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.84% (male 4,327,830/female 4,159,242)

15-24 years: 15.38% (male 2,741,371/female 2,515,188)

25-54 years: 50.2% (male 10,350,028/female 6,804,479)

55-64 years: 5.95% (male 1,254,921/female 778,467)

65 years and over: 3.63% (2020 est.) (male 657,395/female 584,577)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 39.3

youth dependency ratio: 34.4

elderly dependency ratio: 4.9

potential support ratio: 20.5 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 30.8 years

male: 33 years

female: 27.9 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.63% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 14.22 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 3.42 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: historically a population that was mostly nomadic or semi-nomadic, the Saudi population has become more settled since petroleum was discovered in the 1930s; most of the economic activities - and with it the country's population - is concentrated in a wide area across the middle of the peninsula, from Ad Dammam in the east, through Riyadh in the interior, to Mecca-Medina in the west near the Red Sea
Urbanization: urban population: 84.7% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.69% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 7.538 million RIYADH (capital), 4.781 million Jeddah, 2.115 million Mecca, 1.545 million Medina, 1.305 million Ad Dammam, 860,000 million Hufuf-Mubarraz (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.54 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.62 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female

total population: 1.3 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 17 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 12.27 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 13.51 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 10.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.65 years

male: 75.07 years

female: 78.32 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 24.6% (2016)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 5.7% (2019)
Physicians density: 2.61 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 2.2 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 12,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <200
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 35.4% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: NA
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.6%

male: 98.6%

female: 96% (2020)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years

male: 16 years

female: 16 years (2020)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 27.2%

male: 21.5%

female: 43.8% (2020 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills; air pollution; waste management
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 78.38 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 563.45 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 45.47 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Land use: agricultural land: 80.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.5% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 79.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 0.5% (2018 est.)

other: 18.8% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 84.7% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.69% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 16,125,701 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,418,855 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15% (2015 est.)
Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 3.15 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 19.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 2.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

conventional short form: Saudi Arabia

local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

etymology: named after the ruling dynasty of the country, the House of Saud; the name "Arabia" can be traced back many centuries B.C., the ancient Egyptians referred to the region as "Ar Rabi"
Government type: absolute monarchy
Capital: name: Riyadh

geographic coordinates: 24 39 N, 46 42 E

time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name derives from the Arabic word "riyadh," meaning "gardens," and refers to various oasis towns in the area that merged to form the city
Administrative divisions: 13 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah (Northern Border), Al Jawf, Al Madinah al Munawwarah (Medina), Al Qasim, Ar Riyad (Riyadh), Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jazan, Makkah al Mukarramah (Mecca), Najran, Tabuk
Independence: 23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)
National holiday: Saudi National Day (Unification of the Kingdom), 23 September (1932)
Constitution: history: 1 March 1992 - Basic Law of Government, issued by royal decree, serves as the constitutional framework and is based on the Qur'an and the life and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad

amendments: proposed by the king directly or proposed to the king by the Consultative Assembly or by the Council of Ministers; passage by the king through royal decree; Basic Law amended many times, last in 2017
Legal system: Islamic (sharia) legal system with some elements of Egyptian, French, and customary law; note - several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Saudi Arabia; a child born out of wedlock in Saudi Arabia to a Saudi mother and unknown father

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; restricted to males; universal for municipal elections
Executive branch: chief of state: King and Prime Minister SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 23 January 2015); Crown Prince MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (born 31 August 1985); note - the monarch is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: King and Prime Minister SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 23 January 2015); Crown Prince MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (born 31 August 1985)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch every 4 years and includes many royal family members

elections/appointments: none; the monarchy is hereditary; an Allegiance Council created by royal decree in October 2006 established a committee of Saudi princes for a voice in selecting future Saudi kings
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 seats plus a speaker; members appointed by the monarch to serve 4-year terms); note - in early 2013, the monarch granted women 30 seats on the Council

note: composition as of 2021 - men 121, women 30, percent of women 19.9%
Judicial branch: highest courts: High Court (consists of the court chief and organized into circuits with 3-judge panels, except for the criminal circuit, which has a 5-judge panel for cases involving major punishments)

judge selection and term of office: High Court chief and chiefs of the High Court Circuits appointed by royal decree upon the recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council, a 10-member body of high-level judges and other judicial heads; new judges and assistant judges serve 1- and 2-year probations, respectively, before permanent assignment

subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; Specialized Criminal Court, first-degree courts composed of general, criminal, personal status, and commercial courts; Labor Court; a hierarchy of administrative courts
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, CAEU, CP, FAO, G-20, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Princess REEMA bint Bandar Al Saud (since 8 July 2019)

chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800

FAX: [1] (202) 295-3625

email address and website:
info@saudiembassy.net

https://www.saudiembassy.net/

consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Martina STRONG (since February 2021)

embassy: Riyadh 11564

mailing address: 6300 Riyadh Place, Washington DC  20521-6300

telephone: [966] (11) 835-4000

FAX: [966] (11) 488-7360

email address and website:
RiyadhACS@state.gov

https://sa.usembassy.gov/

consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jeddah
Flag description: 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

note: the only national flag to display an inscription as its principal design; one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Moldova and Paraguay
National symbol(s): palm tree surmounting two crossed swords; national colors: green, white
National anthem: name: "Aash Al Maleek" (Long Live Our Beloved King)

lyrics/music: Ibrahim KHAFAJI/Abdul Rahman al-KHATEEB

note: music adopted 1947, lyrics adopted 1984
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 6 (all cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ); At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah; Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah; Rock Art in the Hail Region; Al-Ahsa Oasis; Ḥimā Cultural Area

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses about 16% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 87% of budget revenues, 42% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings.   Saudi Arabia is encouraging the growth of the private sector in order to diversify its economy and to employ more Saudi nationals. Approximately 6 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors; at the same time, however, Riyadh is struggling to reduce unemployment among its own nationals. Saudi officials are particularly focused on employing its large youth population.   In 2017, the Kingdom incurred a budget deficit estimated at 8.3% of GDP, which was financed by bond sales and drawing down reserves. Although the Kingdom can finance high deficits for several years by drawing down its considerable foreign assets or by borrowing, it has cut capital spending and reduced subsidies on electricity, water, and petroleum products and recently introduced a value-added tax of 5%. In January 2016, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN announced that Saudi Arabia intends to list shares of its state-owned petroleum company, ARAMCO - another move to increase revenue and outside investment. The government has also looked at privatization and diversification of the economy more closely in the wake of a diminished oil market. Historically, Saudi Arabia has focused diversification efforts on power generation, telecommunications, natural gas exploration, and petrochemical sectors. More recently, the government has approached investors about expanding the role of the private sector in the health care, education and tourism industries. While Saudi Arabia has emphasized their goals of diversification for some time, current low oil prices may force the government to make more drastic changes ahead of their long-run timeline.Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses about 16% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 87% of budget revenues, 42% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. Saudi Arabia is encouraging the growth of the private sector in order to diversify its economy and to employ more Saudi nationals. Approximately 6 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors; at the same time, however, Riyadh is struggling to reduce unemployment among its own nationals. Saudi officials are particularly focused on employing its large youth population. In 2017, the Kingdom incurred a budget deficit estimated at 8.3% of GDP, which was financed by bond sales and drawing down reserves. Although the Kingdom can finance high deficits for several years by drawing down its considerable foreign assets or by borrowing, it has cut capital spending and reduced subsidies on electricity, water, and petroleum products and recently introduced a value-added tax of 5%. In January 2016, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN announced that Saudi Arabia intends to list shares of its state-owned petroleum company, ARAMCO - another move to increase revenue and outside investment. The government has also looked at privatization and diversification of the economy more closely in the wake of a diminished oil market. Historically, Saudi Arabia has focused diversification efforts on power generation, telecommunications, natural gas exploration, and petrochemical sectors. More recently, the government has approached investors about expanding the role of the private sector in the health care, education and tourism industries. While Saudi Arabia has emphasized their goals of diversification for some time, current low oil prices may force the government to make more drastic changes ahead of their long-run timeline.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,543,240,000,000 (2020 est.)

$1,609,320,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,604,010,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: -0.9% (2017 est.)

1.7% (2016 est.)

4.1% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $44,300 (2020 est.)

$47,000 (2019 est.)

$47,600 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $792.849 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -2% (2019 est.)

-4.5% (2018 est.)

-0.8% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: A (2019)

Moody's rating: A1 (2016)

Standard & Poors rating: A- (2016)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.6% (2017 est.)

industry: 44.2% (2017 est.)

services: 53.2% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 41.3% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 24.5% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 23.2% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 4.7% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 34.8% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -28.6% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, dates, poultry, fruit, watermelons, barley, wheat, potatoes, eggs, tomatoes
Industries: crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics, metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction
Industrial production growth rate: -2.4% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 13.8 million (2017 est.)

note: comprised of 3.1 million Saudis and 10.7 million non-Saudis
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 6.7%

industry: 21.4%

services: 71.9% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6% (2017 est.)

5.6% (2016 est.)

note: data are for total population; unemployment among Saudi nationals is more than double
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 27.2%

male: 21.5%

female: 43.8% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 45.9 (2013 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 181 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 241.8 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -8.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 17.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

13.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 26.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: $15.23 billion (2017 est.)

-$23.87 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $184.11 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$285.86 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$314.92 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: China 20%, India 11%, Japan 11%, South Korea 9%, United States 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, polymers, industrial alcohols, natural gas (2019)
Imports: $179.8 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$218.94 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$209.59 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: China 18%, United Arab Emirates 12%, United States 9%, Germany 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: cars, broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, telephones (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $496.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$535.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $205.1 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$189.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar -

3.7514 (2020 est.)

3.75 (2019 est.)

3.7518 (2018 est.)

3.75 (2014 est.)

3.75 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity - production: 324.1 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 296.2 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 82.94 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Crude oil - production: 10.425 million bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - exports: 7.341 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves: 266.2 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 2.476 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 3.287 million bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 1.784 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 609,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas - production: 109.3 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 109.3 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 8.619 trillion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 5,749,058 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 41,298,600 (2019)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 120.52 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: one of the most progressive telecom markets in the Middle East; mobile penetration high, with a saturated market; mobile operators competitive and meeting the demand for workers, students and citizens working from home; Huawei partners with operator to provide 5G to dozens of cities; broadband is available with DSL, fiber, and wireless; mobile penetration is high; restrictive monarchy places limits on information and services available online; authorities operate extensive censorship and surveillance systems; major importer of broadcasting equipment from UAE and China (2020)

domestic: fixed-line over 16 per 100 and mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly to roughly 124 per 100 persons (2020)

international: country code - 966; landing points for the SeaMeWe-3, -4, -5, AAE-1, EIG, FALCON, FEA, IMEWE, MENA/Gulf Bridge International, SEACOM, SAS-1, -2, GBICS/MENA, and the Tata TGN-Gulf submarine cables providing connectivity to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia; microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: broadcast media are state-controlled; state-run TV operates 4 networks; Saudi Arabia is a major market for pan-Arab satellite TV broadcasters; state-run radio operates several networks; multiple international broadcasters are available
Internet country code: .sa
Internet users: total: 34,117,590 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 98% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 7,890,261 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.)
Communications - note: the innovative King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (informally known as Ithra, meaning "enrichment") opened on 1 December 2017 in Dhahran, Eastern Region; its facilities include a grand library, several museums, an archive, an Idea Lab, a theater, a cinema, and an Energy Exhibit, all which are meant to provide visitors an immersive and transformative experience

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 12 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 230

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 39,141,660 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,085,470,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: HZ
Airports: total: 214 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 82

over 3,047 m: 33

2,438 to 3,047 m: 16

1,524 to 2,437 m: 27

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 4 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 132

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 72

914 to 1,523 m: 37

under 914 m: 16 (2021)
Heliports: 10 (2021)
Pipelines: 209 km condensate, 2940 km gas, 1183 km liquid petroleum gas, 5117 km oil, 1151 km refined products (2013)
Railways: total: 5,410 km (2016)

standard gauge: 5,410 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings)
Roadways: total: 221,372 km (2006)

paved: 47,529 km (2006) (includes 3,891 km of expressways)

unpaved: 173,843 km (2006)
Merchant marine: total: 392

by type: bulk carrier 5, container ship 1, general cargo 21, oil tanker 58, other 307 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jeddah, King Abdulla, Yanbu'

container port(s) (TEUs): Ad Dammam (1,822,642), Jeddah (4,433,991), King Abdulla (2,020,683) (2019)

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Ministry of Defense: Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes marines, special forces, naval aviation), Royal Saudi Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Missiles Force; Ministry of the National Guard (SANG); Ministry of Interior: police, Border Guard, Facilities Security Force; State Security Presidency: General Directorate of Investigation (Mabahith), Special Security Forces, Special Emergency Forces (2021)

note - SANG (also known as the White Army) is a land force separate from the Ministry of Defense that is responsible for internal security, protecting the royal family, and external defense
Military expenditures: 6% of GDP (2021 est.)

7.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

8.8% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $92.2 billion)

10% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $103 billion)

11.1% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $111 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: the Saudi military forces have about 225,000 active troops; approximately 125,000 under the Ministry of Defense (75,000 Land Forces; 15,000 Naval Forces; 35,000 Air Force/Air Defense/Strategic Missile Forces) and approximately 100,000 in the Saudi Arabia National Guard (SANG) (2021)

note - SANG also has an irregular force (Fowj), primarily Bedouin tribal volunteers, with a total strength of approximately 25,000 men
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the inventory of the Saudi military forces, including the SANG, includes a mix of mostly modern weapons systems from the US and Europe; since 2010, the US is the leading supplier of armaments; as of 2020-21, Saudi Arabia was the world's largest arms importer (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 17-40 for men; no conscription; as of 2021, women (aged 18-40) were allowed to serve in the Army, Air Defense, Navy, Strategic Missile Force, medical services, and internal security forces up to the rank of non-commissioned officer (2021)
Military deployments: est. 2,500-5,000 Yemen (varies depending on operations, which continued into 2022) (2022)
Military - note: in 2015, a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states intervened militarily in Yemen in support of the Republic of Yemen Government against the separatist Huthis; as of 2022, the coalition (consisting largely of Saudi forces) and the Huthis continued to engage in fighting, mostly with air and missile forces, although heavy ground fighting was also reportedly taking place over the key province of Marib; the Saudis have conducted numerous air strikes in northern Yemen, while the Huthis have launched attacks into Saudi territory with ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles armed with explosives; the Saudi-led coalition controlled the country’s airspace and the port of Hodeida; Saudi Arabia also has raised and equipped paramilitary/militia security forces in Yemen--based largely on tribal or regional affiliation--to deploy along the Saudi-Yemen border, especially the areas bordering the governorates of Saada and Al-Jawfin 2015, a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states intervened militarily in Yemen in support of the Republic of Yemen Government against the separatist Huthis; as of 2022, the coalition (consisting largely of Saudi forces) and the Huthis continued to engage in fighting, mostly with air and missile forces, although heavy ground fighting was also reportedly taking place over the key province of Marib; the Saudis have conducted numerous air strikes in northern Yemen, while the Huthis have launched attacks into Saudi territory with ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles armed with explosives; the Saudi-led coalition controlled the country’s airspace and the port of Hodeida; Saudi Arabia also has raised and equipped paramilitary/militia security forces in Yemen--based largely on tribal or regional affiliation--to deploy along the Saudi-Yemen border, especially the areas bordering the governorates of Saada and Al-Jawf

Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); al-Qa’ida; al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the now fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with IranSaudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the now fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran
Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 70,000 (mid-year 2021); note - thousands of biduns (stateless Arabs) are descendants of nomadic tribes who were not officially registered when national borders were established, while others migrated to Saudi Arabia in search of jobs; some have temporary identification cards that must be renewed every five years, but their rights remain restricted; most Palestinians have only legal resident status; some naturalized Yemenis were made stateless after being stripped of their passports when Yemen backed Iraq in its invasion of Kuwait in 1990; Saudi women cannot pass their citizenship on to their children, so if they marry a non-national, their children risk statelessness
Trafficking in persons: current situation: Saudi Arabia is a destination country for men and women subjected to forced labor and, to a lesser extent, forced prostitution; men and women primarily from South and Southeast Asia and Africa voluntarily travel to Saudi Arabia to work in domestic service, construction, agriculture or other low-skilled jobs, but some subsequently face conditions indicative of involuntary servitude (many are forced to work months or years beyond their contract term because employers withhold passports and required exit visas); women, primarily from Asian and African countries, are reported to be forced into prostitution in Saudi Arabia

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Saudi Arabia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but is making significant efforts to do so and was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; the government enacted the country’s first-ever national referral mechanism (NRM) and increased the number of prosecutions and convictions under the anti-trafficking law; victims are identified and referred for care; the government convicted and sentenced two Saudi officials complicit in trafficking crimes; however, the government continued to fine, jail, and/or deport migrant workers for prostitution or immigration violations who may have been trafficking victims; authorities regularly misclassified potential trafficking crimes as labor law violations rather than as criminal offenses (2020)Tier 2 Watch List — Saudi Arabia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but is making significant efforts to do so and was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List;
Illicit drugs: regularly sentences drug traffickers to the death penalty, although a moratorium on executions for drug offences has been in place since at least 2020; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement


Topic: A Brief History of Basic Intelligence and The World FactbookThe Intelligence Cycle is the process by which information is acquired, converted into intelligence, and made available to policymakers. Information is raw data from any source, data that may be fragmentary, contradictory, unreliable, ambiguous, deceptive, or wrong. Intelligence is information that has been collected, integrated, evaluated, analyzed, and interpreted. Finished intelligence is the final product of the Intelligence Cycle ready to be delivered to the policymaker.The three types of finished intelligence are: basic, current, and estimative. Basic intelligence provides the fundamental and factual reference material on a country or issue. Current intelligence reports on new developments. Estimative intelligence judges probable outcomes. The three are mutually supportive: basic intelligence is the foundation on which the other two are constructed; current intelligence continually updates the inventory of knowledge; and estimative intelligence revises overall interpretations of country and issue prospects for guidance of basic and current intelligence. The World Factbook, The President’s Daily Brief, and the National Intelligence Estimates are examples of the three types of finished intelligence.The United States has carried on foreign intelligence activities since the days of George Washington but only since World War II have they been coordinated on a government-wide basis. Three programs have highlighted the development of coordinated basic intelligence since that time: (1) the Joint Army Navy Intelligence Studies (JANIS), (2) the National Intelligence Survey (NIS), and (3) The World Factbook.During World War II, intelligence consumers realized that the production of basic intelligence by different components of the US Government resulted in a great duplication of effort and conflicting information. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 brought home to leaders in Congress and the executive branch the need for integrating departmental reports to national policymakers. Detailed and coordinated information was needed not only on such major powers as Germany and Japan, but also on places of little previous interest. In the Pacific Theater, for example, the Navy and Marines had to launch amphibious operations against many islands about which information was unconfirmed or nonexistent. Intelligence authorities resolved that the United States should never again be caught unprepared.In 1943, Gen. George B. Strong (G-2), Adm. H. C. Train (Office of Naval Intelligence – ONI), and Gen. William J. Donovan (Director of the Office of Strategic Services – OSS) decided that a joint effort should be initiated. A steering committee was appointed on 27 April 1943 that recommended the formation of a Joint Intelligence Study Publishing Board to assemble, edit, coordinate, and publish the Joint Army Navy Intelligence Studies (JANIS). JANIS was the first interdepartmental basic intelligence program to fulfill the needs of the US Government for an authoritative and coordinated appraisal of strategic basic intelligence. Between April 1943 and July 1947, the board published 34 JANIS studies. JANIS performed well in the war effort, and numerous letters of commendation were received, including a statement from Adm. Forrest Sherman, Chief of Staff, Pacific Ocean Areas, which said, “JANIS has become the indispensable reference work for the shore-based planners.”The need for more comprehensive basic intelligence in the postwar world was well expressed in 1946 by George S. Pettee, a noted author on national security. He wrote in The Future of American Secret Intelligence (Infantry Journal Press, 1946, page 46) that world leadership in peace requires even more elaborate intelligence than in war. “The conduct of peace involves all countries, all human activities – not just the enemy and his war production.”The Central Intelligence Agency was established on 26 July 1947 and officially began operating on 18 September 1947. Effective 1 October 1947, the Director of Central Intelligence assumed operational responsibility for JANIS. On 13 January 1948, the National Security Council issued Intelligence Directive (NSCID) No. 3, which authorized the National Intelligence Survey (NIS) program as a peacetime replacement for the wartime JANIS program. Before adequate NIS country sections could be produced, government agencies had to develop more comprehensive gazetteers and better maps. The US Board on Geographic Names (BGN) compiled the names; the Department of the Interior produced the gazetteers; and CIA produced the maps.The Hoover Commission’s Clark Committee, set up in 1954 to study the structure and administration of the CIA, reported to Congress in 1955 that: “The National Intelligence Survey is an invaluable publication which provides the essential elements of basic intelligence on all areas of the world. There will always be a continuing requirement for keeping the Survey up-to-date.” The Factbook was created as an annual summary and update to the encyclopedic NIS studies. The first classified Factbook was published in August 1962, and the first unclassified version was published in June 1971. The NIS program was terminated in 1973 except for the Factbook, map, and gazetteer components. The 1975 Factbook was the first to be made available to the public with sales through the US Government Printing Office (GPO). The Factbook was first made available on the Internet in June 1997. The year 2022 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Central Intelligence Agency and the 79th year of continuous basic intelligence support to the US Government by The World Factbook and its two predecessor programs.

Topic: The Evolution of The World FactbookNational Basic Intelligence Factbook produced semiannually until 1980. Country entries include sections on Land, Water, People, Government, Economy, Communications, and Defense Forces.