Administrative divisions
13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk |
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Capital city > Geographic coordinates
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24 38 N, 46 43 E |
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Constitution
governed according to Islamic law; the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was promulgated by royal decree in 1992 |
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Corruption
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3.4 |
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[75th of 160]
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Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address
American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693 |
Executive branch > Cabinet
Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch every four years and includes many royal family members |
Executive branch > Chief of state
King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch, born 5 January 1928); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government |
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 |
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Government type
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monarchy |
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Independence
23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom) |
Judicial branch
Supreme Council of Justice |
Legal system
based on Sharia law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
Legislative branch
Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms); note - though the Council of Ministers announced in October 2003 its intent to introduce elections for half of the members of local and provincial assemblies and a third of the members of the national Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura, incrementally over a period of four to five years, to date no such elections have been held or announced |
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Political parties and leaders
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none |
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Political pressure groups and leaders
Ansar Al Marah (supports women's rights) |
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Status
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absolute monarchy |
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Suffrage
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21 years of age; male |
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Time required to start a business > days
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39 days
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[73rd of 171]
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Trademarks, residents
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456
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[48th of 98]
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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 Iran |
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