Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Saudi Arabia (2001) - Australia (2002)

Compare Saudi Arabia (2001) z Australia (2002)

 Saudi Arabia (2001)Australia (2002)
 Saudi ArabiaAustralia
Administrative divisions 13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
Age structure 0-14 years:
42.52% (male 4,932,465; female 4,743,908)

15-64 years:
54.8% (male 7,290,840; female 5,179,393)

65 years and over:
2.68% (male 334,981; female 275,505) (2001 est.)
0-14 years: 20.4% (male 2,046,052; female 1,949,725)


15-64 years: 67% (male 6,610,840; female 6,480,354)


65 years and over: 12.6% (male 1,078,506; female 1,381,315) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry
Airports 206 (2000 est.) 421 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total:
70

over 3,047 m:
31

2,438 to 3,047 m:
11

1,524 to 2,437 m:
23

914 to 1,523 m:
3

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
total: 294


over 3,047 m: 10


2,438 to 3,047 m: 11


1,524 to 2,437 m: 126


914 to 1,523 m: 134


under 914 m: 13 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
136

2,438 to 3,047 m:
5

1,524 to 2,437 m:
77

914 to 1,523 m:
39

under 914 m:
15 (2000 est.)
total: 150


1,524 to 2,437 m: 20


914 to 1,523 m: 116


under 914 m: 14 (2002)
Area total:
1,960,582 sq km

land:
1,960,582 sq km

water:
0 sq km
total: 7,686,850 sq km


land: 7,617,930 sq km


water: 68,920 sq km


note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island
Area - comparative slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states
Background In 1902 Abdul al-Aziz Ibn SAUD captured Riyadh and set out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian peninsula. In the 1930s, the discovery of oil transformed the country. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all major governmental concerns. Australia became a commonwealth of the British Empire in 1901. It was able to take advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. A referendum to change Australia's status, from a commonwealth headed by the British monarch to a republic, was defeated in 1999.
Birth rate 37.34 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 12.71 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues:
$66 billion

expenditures:
$66 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
revenues: $86.8 billion


expenditures: $84.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY00/01 est. )
Capital Riyadh Canberra
Climate harsh, dry desert with great extremes of temperature generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
Coastline 2,640 km 25,760 km
Constitution governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901
Country name conventional long form:
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

conventional short form:
Saudi Arabia

local long form:
Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

local short form:
Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia


conventional short form: Australia
Currency Saudi riyal (SAR) Australian dollar (AUD)
Death rate 5.94 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 7.25 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $26.3 billion (2000 est.) $176.8 billion (2001 est.)
Dependent areas - Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Wyche FOWLER, Jr.

embassy:
Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh

mailing address:
American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693

telephone:
[966] (1) 488-3800

FAX:
[966] (1) 488-7360

consulate(s) general:
Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)
chief of mission: Ambassador J. Thomas SCHIEFFER


embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600


mailing address: APO AP 96549


telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600


FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970


consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud

chancery:
601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone:
[1] (202) 342-3800

consulate(s) general:
Houston, Los Angeles, and New York
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. THAWLEY


chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036


telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000


FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco
Disputes - international a final border resolution was agreed to with Qatar in March of 2001; location and status of boundary with UAE is not final, de facto boundary reflects a 1974 agreement; a June 2000 treaty delimited the boundary with Yemen, but final demarcation requires adjustments based on tribal considerations Australia-East Timor-Indonesia are working to resolve maritime boundary and sharing of seabed resources in "Timor Gap"; Australia asserts a territorial claim to Antarctica and to its continental shelf
Economic aid - donor pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon; since 1993, Saudi Arabia has committed $208 million for assistance to the Palestinians ODA, $894 million (FY99/00 )
Economy - overview This is an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world (26% of the proved reserves), ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 40% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 35% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 5 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service sectors. Saudi Arabia was a key player in the successful efforts of OPEC and other oil producing countries to raise the price of oil in 1999-2000 to its highest level since the Gulf war by reducing production. Riyadh expects to have a moderate budget deficit in 2001, in part because of increased spending for education and other social programs. The government in 1999 announced plans to begin privatizing the electricity companies, which follows the ongoing privatization of the telecommunications company. The government is expected to continue calling for private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population. Shortages of water and rapid population growth will constrain government efforts to increase self-sufficiency in agricultural products. Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Rising output in the domestic economy has been offsetting the global slump, and business and consumer confidence remains robust. Canberra's emphasis on reforms is another key factor behind the economy's strength. The stagnant economic conditions in major export partners and the impact of the worst drought in 100 years cast a shadow over prospects for 2003.
Electricity - consumption 111.6 billion kWh (1999) 188.49 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 120 billion kWh (1999) 202.68 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel: 90%


hydro: 8%


nuclear: 0%


other: 2% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point:
Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m


highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m
Environment - current issues 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 soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements party to:
Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%
Exchange rates Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.7450 (fixed rate since June 1986) Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.9354 (January 2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state:
King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government:
King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet:
Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes many royal family members

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter HOLLINGWORTH (since 29 June 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11 March 1996); Deputy Prime Minister John ANDERSON (since 20 July 1999)


cabinet: Cabinet Parliament nominates, from among its members, a list of candidates to serve as government ministers; from this list, the governor general makes the final selections for the Cabinet


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general


note: government coalition - Liberal Party and National Party
Exports $81.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $66.3 billion (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities petroleum and petroleum products 90% coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat, machinery and transport equipment
Exports - partners Japan 18%, US 18%, France 4%, South Korea, Singapore, India (1999) Developing countries 45.6%, Japan 19.7%, ASEAN 13.3%, EU 11.7%, US 9.7% (2001)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 July - 30 June
Flag description green with large white Arabic script (that may be translated as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); green is the traditional color of Islam blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars
GDP purchasing power parity - $232 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $528 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
6%

industry:
47%

services:
47% (1998 est.)
agriculture: 3%


industry: 26%


services: 71% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $10,500 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $27,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4% (2000 est.) 3.6% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 25 00 N, 45 00 E 27 00 S, 133 00 E
Geography - note extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; regular, tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as "the Doctor" occurs along the west coast in the summer
Heliports 5 (2000 est.) -
Highways total:
146,524 km

paved:
44,104 km

unpaved:
102,420 km (1997 est.)
total: 913,000 km


paved: 353,331 km (including 1,363 km of expressways)


unpaved: 559,669 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
lowest 10%: 2%


highest 10%: 25% (1994)
Illicit drugs death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin and cocaine Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate
Imports $30.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $68 billion (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products
Imports - partners US 25%, Japan 10%, Germany 7%, Italy 5%, France, UK (1999) Developing countries 31.7%, EU 21.6%, US 18.9%, ASEAN 14.8%, Japan 13.0% (2001)
Independence 23 September 1932 (Unification of the Kingdom) 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
Industrial production growth rate 1% (1997 est.) 4.3% (2002 est.)
Industries crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, construction, fertilizer, plastics mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel
Infant mortality rate 51.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 0.5% (2000) 2.8% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BIS, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) ANZUS, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMEE, UNTAET, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 42 (2001) 571 (2002)
Irrigated land 4,350 sq km (1993 est.) 24,000 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Council of Justice High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general)
Labor force 7 million

note:
35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)
9.2 million (December 2001 )
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 12%, industry 25%, services 63% (1999 est.) services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture 5% (1997 est.)
Land boundaries total:
4,415 km

border countries:
Iraq 814 km, Jordan 728 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
0 km
Land use arable land:
2%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
56%

forests and woodland:
1%

other:
41% (1993 est.)
arable land: 6.88%


permanent crops: 0.03%


other: 93.09% (1998 est.)
Languages Arabic English, native languages
Legal system based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch a consultative council (90 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms) bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats - 12 from each of the six states and two from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of the members elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (150 seats - this is up from 148 seats in 2001 election; members elected by popular vote on the basis of preferential representation to serve three-year terms; no state can have fewer than five representatives)


elections: Senate - last held 10 November 2001 (next to be held by November 2004); House of Representatives - last held 10 November 2001 (next to be held by November 2004)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 35, Australian Labor Party 28, Australian Democrats 8, Green Party 2, One Nation Party 1, Country Labor Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 82, Australian Labor Party 65, independent and other 3
Life expectancy at birth total population:
68.09 years

male:
66.4 years

female:
69.85 years (2001 est.)
total population: 80 years


male: 77.15 years


female: 83 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
62.8%

male:
71.5%

female:
50.2% (1995 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 100%


male: 100%


female: 100% (1980 est.)
Location Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean
Map references Middle East Oceania
Maritime claims contiguous zone:
18 NM

continental shelf:
not specified

territorial sea:
12 NM
contiguous zone: 24 NM


continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total:
71 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,154,619 GRT/1,533,732 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 11, chemical tanker 8, container 5, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 13, short-sea passenger 8 (2000 est.)
total: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,469,362 GRT/1,869,262 DWT


ships by type: bulk 26, cargo 5, chemical tanker 4, container 1, liquefied gas 4, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 6, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: France 2, United Kingdom 2, United States 14 (2002 est.)
Military branches Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary) Royal Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $18.3 billion (FY00) $9.3 billion (FY01/02 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 13% (FY00) 2% (FY01/02)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
5,894,691 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49: 5,013,406 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
3,291,185 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49: 4,321,387 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age 17 years of age 17 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
233,402 (2001 est.)
males: 142,686 (2002 est.)
National holiday Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932) Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Nationality noun:
Saudi(s)

adjective:
Saudi or Saudi Arabian
noun: Australian(s)


adjective: Australian
Natural hazards frequent sand and dust storms cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires
Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum
Net migration rate 1.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 4.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 6,400 km; petroleum products 150 km; natural gas 2,200 km (includes natural gas liquids 1,600 km) crude oil 2,500 km; petroleum products 500 km; natural gas 5,600 km
Political parties and leaders none allowed Australian Democrats [Andrew BARTLETT]; Australian Labor Party [Simon CREAN]; Country Labor Party [leader NA]; Australian Greens [Bob BROWN]; Liberal Party [John Winston HOWARD]; National Party [John ANDERSON]; One Nation Party [Pauline HANSON]
Political pressure groups and leaders none Australian Monarchist League [leader NA]; Australian Republican Movement [leader NA]
Population 22,757,092

note:
includes 5,360,526 non-nationals (July 2001 est.)
19,546,792 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 3.27% (2001 est.) 0.96% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh, Ra's al Khafji, Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Madinat Yanbu' al Sinaiyah Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport (Tasmania), Fremantle, Geelong, Hobart (Tasmania), Launceston (Tasmania), Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville
Radio broadcast stations AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998) AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 6.25 million (1997) 25.5 million (1997)
Railways total:
1,390 km

standard gauge:
1,390 km 1.435-m gauge (448 km double track) (1992)
total: 33,819 km (2,540 km electrified)


broad gauge: 3,719 km 1.600-m gauge


standard gauge: 15,422 km 1.435-m gauge


narrow gauge: 14,506 km 1.067-m gauge


dual gauge: 172 km NA gauges (1999 est.)
Religions Muslim 100% Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%, non-Christian 11%, other 12.6%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
1.41 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
1.22 male(s)/female

total population:
1.23 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female


total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage none 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Telephone system general assessment:
modern system

domestic:
extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and fiber-optic cable systems

international:
microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)
general assessment: excellent domestic and international service


domestic: domestic satellite system; much use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile cellular telephones


international: submarine cables to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat (Indian and Pacific Ocean regions) (1998)
Telephones - main lines in use 3.1 million (1998) 10.05 million (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1 million

note:
in 1998, the government contracted for the installation of 575,000 additional Group Speciale Mobile (GSM) cellular telephone lines over 15 months to raise the total number of subscribers to more than one million; Riyadh planned to further expand the GSM system in 1999 by adding an additional one million lines (1998)
8.6 million (2000)
Television broadcast stations 117 (1997) 104 (1997)
Terrain mostly uninhabited, sandy desert mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
Total fertility rate 6.25 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.77 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 6.3% (2002)
Waterways none 8,368 km (mainly used by small, shallow-draft craft)
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.