Saudi Arabia in focus

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-12-2009 08:48

Saudi Arabia, located in the Middle East, possesses a quarter of the world's petroleum reserves.

Saudi Arabia is located in the Middle East. And it borders the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.

Saudi Arabia

The country has more than 26 million citizens.

90 percent of the population is Arab and speaks Arabic. The official religion of Saudi Arabia is Islam.

Saudi Arabia possesses a quarter of the world's oil reserves and plays a leading role in OPEC. It is one of the world's major exporters and importers, with nearly 90 percent of its exports comprised of oil products.

In addition to oil, petrochemicals, plastics, construction materials, and agricultural products make up the remainder of Saudi Arabia's exports.

The country's most important cities, besides its capital Riyadh, are Mecca and Medina. Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed. And Medina is the city the Prophet moved to in 622 AD. The country has a unique responsibility to the world of Islam, since all Muslims must visit Mecca at least once in their lifetime for the Hajj Pilgrimage.

For Muslims, the Hajj, one of Islam's five pillars, signals their spiritual rebirth and the burial of past transgressions.

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Editor:Zhang Yun