According to abbreviationfinder, Riyadh is the capital and the largest city of Saudi Arabia. A large plateau located in the central part of the Arabian Peninsula serves as the stage for the development of this city, which is also the most populated in the country. This metropolis that is located in the Nejd region, in addition to being the national capital, is the head of the homonymous province.

Riyadh is located in a very arid area, where rainfall is low and the climate is desert. For that reason, the water used in this hot city where the temperature exceeds 45 degrees Celsius in summer is that which is collected from the sea of the Persian Gulf.

History

In 1824 this town was inhabited by the Banu Hanifa tribe and in 1902 the first king of Saudi Arabia Ibn Saud, began the conquest of a large part of the Arabian peninsula from Riyadh, organizing the Wahhabis, an Islamic reformist group residing in the area since the beginning of the 19th century. The city was declared the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. From the 1940s A portion of the country’s large income from international oil sales has been used to make Riyadh an expansive and cosmopolitan, yet relatively isolated, metropolis with lots of modern buildings.

Geography

It is the capital and the largest city of Saudi Arabia, located in the Nejd region, on a large plateau on the Arabian Peninsula.

Climate

It has a desert climate, with summers extremely hot and temperatures exceeding 45 ° C and winters are fairly mild but cold mornings. Winter is the only time of year where the city receives some precipitation or hail.

Population

It has a population of just over 5 million, which comprises 66% of Saudis and 34% of foreigners from Africa, Asia Central and South – East, Europe and the Middle East. See population of Saudi Arabia.

Administrative divition

The city of Riyadh is divided into 15 municipalities, in addition to the Diplomatic Quarter, while in the northwest area, the ruins of the former Saudi capital Diriyah are located.

Economic development

Its manufactured products include construction materials, refined petroleum and processed foods.

Sightseeing

Olaya is the commercial and residential area of the city, it offers tourists accommodation, restaurants, entertainment and purchases of various products. The Kingdom Center, Al Faisalyah and Al-Tahlya are the most recognized places in the area.

The Diplomatic Quarter is where embassies and international organizations reside. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens and an ideal place for sports activities. It is a popular area for its architecture and a model to be followed by other Islamic cities.

Al-Dirah and Al-Bathaa are the heart of Riyadh and the old area, where the most outstanding monuments are located, such as the Al Masmaj fortress, one of the main monuments of the city, in the west are the History museums and Archeology of Riyadh and the prestigious palace of Murabba.

Education

In the city is the University of Riyadh (1957), the Islamic University of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud (1953), the King Abd al-´Aziz Military Academy (1955), there are also several technical institutes, teaching, training centers public administration and the National Library.

Culture

The city is home to numerous educational, financial, agricultural, cultural, technical, and social organizations. The architecture is mostly modern, including tall contemporary towers, although the Al-Dirah district, the core of the city, has been rebuilt in a style reminiscent of old brick buildings from before the 20th century.

Some points of cultural interest are: the Museum of Archeology and Ethnology, the Royal Palace and the Jamida Mosque.

Highlights in Riyadh:

• Old town riad: the old part of the city also includes Diriyah and many other old towns that are part of the city. It preserves many of the well-kept old buildings, the most popular being Al Masmaj Castle, Qasr Al Hokom, the water tower, the Clock Tower and the prestigious Battah neighborhood with its many markets.
• Kingdom Center: it is the tallest skyscraper in Saudi Arabia, with a height of 303 meters, it is one of the tallest buildings in the world. The tower is home to the tallest mosque in the world.
• Al Faisaliyah Tower: it is one of the most popular buildings in the city, being the first skyscraper built in Saudi Arabia. At the top of the tower is the golden ball and inside it is a restaurant and below it is an extensive shopping center, with the most prestigious brands in the world.
• Al Anoud Tower: it is a large commercial building located on Rey Fahd Street, with a height of 146 meters.
• Al-Masmaj Castle: located in the historical heart of King Abd al-Aziz, it is a kind of castle-palace, built in 1865 under the power of Mohammed Abdullah.
• Botanical Garden of the King Saud University: it is a botanical garden located in Rida, with one hectare of extension.

Transportation

It has an international airport and is connected to the Persian Gulf by rail and road.