Hidden Secrets of Saudi Arabia: Fascinating Facts Revealed

When we think of Saudi Arabia, images of vast deserts, rich oil reserves, and Islamic traditions often come to mind. While these elements are undoubtedly true and deeply rooted in the country’s identity, Saudi Arabia is a land of fascinating contrasts, hidden treasures, and untold stories that many around the world don’t know. From its mysterious landscapes to its ancient history, from its strict social codes to groundbreaking reforms, there is much more to Saudi Arabia than what meets the eye.

In this blog, we dive into unknown and surprising facts about Saudi Arabia, exploring its history, culture, natural wonders, and modern transformation. Whether you’re a traveler, a curious learner, or someone simply interested in world affairs, these facts will surely broaden your understanding of this intriguing country.

1. Saudi Arabia Has No Rivers

Yes, you read that right. Saudi Arabia is one of the very few countries in the world without a single permanent river. Despite being roughly the size of Western Europe, the entire country lacks any naturally flowing rivers. Instead, Saudi Arabia relies on desalination plants, underground aquifers, and seasonal wadis (dry riverbeds that occasionally fill during rare rainfalls).

This makes water conservation and infrastructure a major focus of the country’s development efforts.

2. Home to the Largest Sand Desert in the World

The world’s biggest contiguous sand desert, known as the Empty Quarter or Rub’ al Khali, is located in Saudi Arabia. With a total area of more over 650,000 square kilometres, it crosses portions of Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The sand dunes in this region can reach heights of over 250 meters (820 feet). Despite the extreme conditions, the desert holds evidence of ancient civilizations and hidden lakes beneath the sand, suggesting it was once a much greener region.

3. The Birthplace of Islam

Mecca and Medina, located in Saudi Arabia, are the two holiest cities in Islam. Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the location of the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam, which millions of Muslims face during their prayers every day.

A once-in-a-lifetime requirement for all capable Muslims, the Hajj pilgrimage brings millions of Muslims from all over the world to Mecca each year.

4. Ancient Rock Art Older Than the Egyptian Pyramids

Saudi Arabia’s rock art in the Hail Region, particularly in Jubbah and Shuwaymis, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Some of these carvings date back more than 10,000 years, making them older than the Pyramids of Giza.

These ancient petroglyphs depict camels, lions, ostriches, and human figures and provide insight into the lives and beliefs of prehistoric Arabian cultures.

5. Women Couldn’t Drive Until 2018

For decades, Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world that banned women from driving. This changed in June 2018, when the government lifted the ban as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s broader social and economic reform agenda known as Vision 2030.

Since then, women have been granted more freedom, including attending sports events, traveling without a male guardian’s permission, and joining the workforce in greater numbers.

6. Oil Wealth But No Income Tax

Despite being one of the richest countries in the world due to its massive oil reserves, Saudi Arabia does not charge personal income tax to its citizens. This is largely because of the government’s oil revenues, which fund public services.

However, in recent years, the country introduced a Value Added Tax (VAT) starting at 5% and later increased to 15% to diversify its economy away from oil dependency.

7. It Has a City Without Traffic Lights

The city of Abha, located in the Asir Province in southwestern Saudi Arabia, is known for not having any traffic lights in many parts of the city. Instead, it utilizes roundabouts and U-turns to manage traffic.

Abha is also unique for its mild climate and green landscapes, which contrast with the typical desert image of Saudi Arabia.

8. The Tallest Building Planned is in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is building what is projected to be the tallest skyscraper in the world – the Jeddah Tower. Once completed, it is expected to reach over 1,000 meters (3,280 feet), surpassing the current tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

However, construction has been delayed multiple times due to financial and logistical challenges.

9. Saudi Arabia Has a Camel Beauty Contest

The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Saudi Arabia includes an annual Camel Beauty Contest, which is one of the lesser-known but intriguing cultural facts. Features like big lips, long eyelashes, and the form of their humps are used to evaluate camels.

The competition offers millions of dollars in prize money and attracts thousands of participants. Owners have even been disqualified for applying Botox to their camels in some instances!

10. A Country Rich in Archaeological Treasures

While not as globally famous as Egypt, Saudi Arabia is home to countless archaeological sites. One of the most significant is AlUla, which includes Madain Saleh (also known as Al-Hijr) — a Nabataean city that resembles Petra in Jordan and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Saudi Arabia has only recently begun to promote these sites to the public and international tourists.

11. A Gigantic Cultural Shift Underway

Saudi Arabia, once known for its rigid conservatism, is undergoing a massive cultural transformation. The country has reintroduced cinemas, allowed concerts and music festivals, and is heavily investing in entertainment and tourism sectors.

Major artists like BTS, Justin Bieber, and David Guetta have performed in the kingdom in recent years — something unimaginable a decade ago.

12. Snow Falls in Saudi Arabia

Despite its reputation for scorching heat, Saudi Arabia occasionally receives snowfall in the winter, particularly in the northern mountains close to Tabuk. Both locals and visitors swarm to these locations to enjoy winter activities like sledding and snowfall.

13. It Has One of the Longest Highways

The Highway 10 in Saudi Arabia is one of the longest straight roads in the world, stretching for nearly 256 kilometers (159 miles) without a single turn.

This highway runs from Haradh to Al Batha near the UAE border and cuts through the Empty Quarter desert, offering stunning desert views.

14. A Modern City Rising from the Desert: NEOM

Saudi Arabia is constructing a futuristic mega-city called NEOM, envisioned as a hub for innovation, renewable energy, and advanced technologies. NEOM will include “The Line”, a linear smart city 170 km long, designed without roads or cars.

The estimated cost of the project is over $500 billion, and it is part of the Vision 2030 initiative to diversify the economy.

15. Home to the World’s Largest Desalination Plant

Given its desert geography, Saudi Arabia relies heavily on desalination for freshwater. It operates more than 30 desalination plants, and the Ras Al Khair Desalination Plant is the largest in the world, providing millions of gallons of drinking water daily.

16. The King Can Only Be Chosen from One Family

The Saudi monarchy follows a unique rule: the next king must be a male descendant of the founder, King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud. While succession usually passes from brother to brother, it has started transitioning to the next generation — currently Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is the heir apparent.

17. Only Muslims Are Allowed in Mecca and Medina

Non-Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. There are checkpoints outside the cities, and Google Maps even marks these areas clearly with signs for non-Muslims to reroute.

18. World’s Largest Airport by Area

The King Fahd International Airport in Dammam is the largest airport in the world by land area — covering more than 780 square kilometers (300 square miles). That’s larger than the country of Bahrain!

19. A Surprisingly Young Population

In Saudi Arabia, people under 35 make up more than 70% of the population. This youthful demographic is one of the key drivers behind the country’s modernization and cultural reforms.

20. Friday and Saturday Are the Weekend

Unlike most of the Western world, the official weekend in Saudi Arabia is Friday and Saturday, with Friday being a holy day for Muslims. The workweek runs from Sunday through Thursday.

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia is a nation of contradictions and wonders, where some of the most traditional practices in the world combine with fast modernisation, and where ancient traditions meet future aspirations. From camel beauty contests and snow-covered deserts to megacities of the future and ancient rock art, the Kingdom offers a kaleidoscope of untold stories and incredible facts.

As the nation opens its doors to the world through tourism and cultural exchange, there’s never been a better time to explore and learn more about this mysterious yet captivating land.

Disclaimer:

This blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are encouraged to consult official sources or travel advisories before making any decisions related to visiting or studying Saudi Arabia.