My World Factbook
(Learn more about the new, improved World Factbook)
Note: Most information adapted from the popular World Factbook is distributed between the websites GeoWorld (geography, people, communications & transportation), Politix (government) and Great Depression II (economy).
Geography
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen
25 00 N, 45 00 E
Area: 
total: 2,149,690 sq km
country comparison to the world: 
14
land: 2,149,690 sq km
water: 0 sq km
slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
total: 4,431 km
border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
2,640 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: not specified
Current Weather
harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Sawda’ 3,133 m
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
arable land: 1.67%
permanent crops: 0.09%
other: 98.24% (2005)
16,200 sq km (2003)
2.4 cu km (1997)
total: 17.32 cu km/yr (10%/1%/89%)
per capita: 705 cu m/yr (2000)
frequent sand and dust storms
volcanism: Despite Saudi Arabia’s many volcanic formations, there has been little activity in the past few centuries; volcanoes include Harrat Rahat, Harrat Khaybar, Harrat Lunayyir, and Jabal Yar
desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - 
