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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
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	24 38 N, 46 43 E
Definition: Government > Capital city > Geographic coordinates
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Constitution governed according to Islamic law; the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was promulgated by royal decree in 1992
Definition: Government > Constitution
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Corruption	3.4		[75th of 160]
Definition: Government > Corruption
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
Definition: Government > Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address
Source: Transparency International
Executive branch > Cabinet Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch every four years and includes many royal family members
Definition: Government > Executive branch > Cabinet
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
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
Definition: Government > Executive branch > Chief of state
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
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
Definition: Government > Flag description
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Government type	monarchy
Definition: Government > Government type
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Independence 23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)
Definition: Government > Independence
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Judicial branch Supreme Council of Justice
Definition: Government > Judicial branch
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Legal system based on Sharia law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Definition: Government > Legal system
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
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
Definition: Government > Legislative branch
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Political parties and leaders	none
Definition: Government > Political parties and leaders
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Political pressure groups and leaders Ansar Al Marah (supports women's rights)
Definition: Government > Political pressure groups and leaders
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Status	absolute monarchy
Definition: Government > Status
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Suffrage	21 years of age; male
Definition: Government > Suffrage
Source: electionworld.org
Time required to start a business > days	39 days		[73rd of 171]
Definition: Government > Time required to start a business > days
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Trademarks, residents	456		[48th of 98]
Definition: Government > Trademarks, residents
Source: World Development Indicators database
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
Definition: Government > Transnational Issues > Disputes > International
Source: World Development Indicators database

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