Riyadh - Oasis in
the Heart of Dessert
  
Riyadh - General Information |
 |
Currency |
Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR) |
 |
Language |
Arabic |
 |
Area |
1,554 km² |
 |
Climate |
Dry & Arid (with
extreme variations in temperature) |
|
 |
 |
| Summer: |
Max
- 108° F (42°C) | Min - 64°F (18°C) |
| Winter: |
Max
- 85° F (30°C) | Min - 46°F (8°C) |
|
| Also known as: |
Queen of the Dessert |
| Famous for: |
Skyscrapers & Luxurious Shopping Malls and
Hotels |
| Geographical Location: |
Center of Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia |
| Latitude, Longitude & Altitude: |
24°42.42'N, 46°43.27'E & 1,969ft
(above sea level) |
| Best time to visit: |
March, April, September & October (rest of
the month being extremely hot or cold) |
| Neighbouring Cities: |
Al Kharj, Rumah, Buraydah & Al Hufuf |
| Means of Local Transport: |
Buses, Taxis & Rented Cars |
| Riyadh is the
Largest city of Saudi Arabia. |
Overview
The capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia Kingdom, Riyadh is located in
Ar Riyad Province in the heart of Arabian Peninsula. The name ‘Riyadh’
is derived from Arabic word ‘Rawdah’ meaning a place of gardens
and trees as with many ‘wadis’ (former water courses, now dry) in
the vicinity, Riyadh since ages has been a fertile area set in the heartland
Arabian desserts.
Besides being the seat of government, the city is also the central corridor
of development of the nation especially after the oil boom of 1950. The boom
turned this small walled city into a developed metropolis, which today is
one of the fastest growing and most prosperous cities of the world.
Today this prosperous capital is towering with futuristic skyscrapers
rising from the barren dessert, equipped with vast dams to quench the thirst
of the dry dessert and accessible with glitzy venues to satisfy the business
need of this ever advancing oil producing dessert. Therefore, this one of
the most splendid and rich cities of modern world is quite justly dubbed as
the 'Queen of Dessert'.
However, modern it may be, but Riyadh will never let its visitors forget
that they are in the heart of Arab world as in between snazzy shopping malls
and broad sweeping highways are nestled ancient mosques and remnants of
times gone by. The shady trees and date palms line the avenues while camels
sometimes sway between the luxury vehicles. Furthermore, the capital is also
run on a strict moral and cultural code of Islam which visitors are also
required to follow remembering the fact that women have restricted access to
certain attractions and sites.
Therefore, the travellers can drink deeply this unique urban landscape
which will quench their wanting of both historic interest and modern wonder.
