The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arabic: المملكة العربية السعودية al-Mamlaka al-"Arabiya al-Su'udiya) is the largest state on the Arabian Peninsula. It borders with Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait in the north, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in the east, Oman in the southeast and Yemen in the south, washed by the Persian Gulf in the northeast and the Red Sea in the west.
Saudi Arabia often called the "Land of Two Mosques", referring to Mecca and Medina - the two main holy cities of Islam. Short name countries on Arabic- as-Saudiya (Arabic: السعودية). Saudi Arabia is currently one of only three countries in the world named after the ruling dynasty (Saudis), along with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
Saudi Arabia, with its colossal oil reserves, is the main state of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. In 2009, it ranked second in the world in oil production and export (after Russia). Oil exports account for 95% of exports and 75% of the country's income, enabling it to support the welfare state.
Geography
Saudi Arabia occupies about 80% of the Arabian Peninsula. Due to the fact that the national boundaries of the state are not clearly defined, the exact area of Saudi Arabia is unknown. According to official data, it is 2,217,949 km², according to others - from 1,960,582 km² to 2,240,000 km². One way or another, Saudi Arabia is the 13th largest country in the world by area.
In the west of the country, along the shore of the Red Sea stretches Mountain chain al-Hijaz. In the southwest the height of the mountains reaches 3000 meters. The resort area of Asir is also located there, attracting tourists with its greenery and mild climate. The east is occupied mainly by deserts. The south and southeast of Saudi Arabia is almost completely occupied by the Rub al-Khali desert, through which the border with Yemen and Oman passes.
Most of the territory of Saudi Arabia is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts, which are inhabited by nomadic Bedouin tribes. The population is concentrated around several large cities, usually in the west or east near the coast.
Climate
The climate in Saudi Arabia is extremely dry. The Arabian Peninsula is one of the few places on Earth where summer temperatures consistently exceed 50°C. However, snow falls only in the Jizan mountains in the west of the country, and not every year. The average temperature in January ranges from 8 °C to 20 °C in cities in desert areas and from 20 °C to 30 °C on the Red Sea coast. In summer, temperatures in the shade range from 35 °C to 43 °C. At night in the desert you can sometimes experience temperatures close to 0 °C, as the sand quickly releases the heat accumulated during the day.
The average annual precipitation is 100 mm. In the center and east of Saudi Arabia it rains exclusively in late winter and spring, while in the west it rains only in winter.
Climate of Saudi Arabia
The climate of Saudi Arabia in the north is subtropical, in the south it is tropical. In general, the Arabian Peninsula, most of which includes Saudi Arabia, is one of the few places on Earth where it is very hot and incredibly dry.
Cheap flights to Riyadh
Saudi Arabia occupies quite a large territory; the country's climate is also very diverse. In one part of the country there will be extensive desert zones, and in other regions of the country there will be heavy rain, even storms and hurricanes. If we characterize climatic conditions in general, it’s an incredibly hot summer here, warm winter, and extremely dry air. Almost all of Saudi Arabia has no permanent rivers or water sources; temporary streams form only after intense rainfall.
But the climate of Saudi Arabia is not as harmless and simple as it seems at first glance. Natural disasters often occur here. The hot and dry southern winds of Samum and Khamsin in spring and early summer often cause strong sandstorms, and the winter northern wind of Shemal brings cooling.
Winter in Saudi Arabia does not exist as a phenomenon in itself. Winter time - from December to the end of February - is the coolest in the country, with an average daily air temperature of +20°C. In the desert eastern regions countries are noticeably colder - winter nights Temperatures in the desert can drop to almost 0°C. And in the west of the country, in the mountainous regions of Jizan, you can see snow, and not every year. In mountainous areas, fogs are common in winter.
The coldest winter month in Saudi Arabia is January. Average daily temperatures range from +8°C to +20°C in cities and desert areas, and from +20°C to +30°C on the Red Sea coast. In Riyadh in January, as a rule, the temperature does not rise above +20°C, and at night it often drops to +5°C.
February is the rainiest month in Saudi Arabia, although in general there is not enough rainfall for this region. The average daily air temperature in February, throughout the country, is 2 - 3°C higher than in January. By the end of the month, the air temperature rises quite quickly. On the Red Sea coast are preserved high temperatures air - you can swim all year round.
Spring in Saudi Arabia begins in early March. In general, the Saudi spring is short and fleeting. Day after day, the air temperature warms up; already, in mid-March, the amount of precipitation decreases sharply, and the daytime air temperature reaches +26°C in most parts of the country, and on the Red Sea coast reaches +33°C and higher.
In April, it is practically summer heat - the sun intensifies its activity, almost everywhere the daytime air temperature does not fall below +30 - +32°C, and at night, as a rule, it does not fall below +23 - +25 °C , the exception is, perhaps, only desert and mountainous areas, where the temperature at night drops sharply to +8 - +10°C or less. And on the Red Sea coast it is even hotter, here +35 - +37°C. The water temperature is extremely comfortable for water procedures throughout the year, and in April it is +27°C.
In May, the long and very hot summer begins in Saudi Arabia. May is the first month of summer, at this time the daytime air temperature stays at +36 - +38°C. It is already very hot, but this is not the limit, by the end of May the temperature gradually rises and hotter months lie ahead - July and August.
An unpleasant feature of the beginning summer season Sandstorms are a fairly common phenomenon. During sandstorms, air humidity drops greatly (sometimes down to 10%), it becomes difficult to breathe, and a sea of sand and dust covers your head.
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In June, Saudi Arabia becomes even hotter, and the peak summer season is July. Daytime air temperatures often reach +47 - +50°C, and the temperature in the shade rarely drops below +42°C. At night it is also hot here - on average +28°C, but in deserts, due to the ability of sand to give off heat very quickly, you can encounter low temperatures, sometimes reaching 0°C. For this area, sharp changes in day and night temperatures are a fairly common phenomenon.
Riyadh is one of the hottest capitals in the world. This city is located in a tropical climatic zone, which causes a very hot and dry climate here. In July and August, daytime temperatures reach +42°C. The air is dry and scorching. This temperature, combined with low humidity, creates unbearable conditions for human body, conditions, therefore, in daytime There are very few people on the street. But, with an increase in humidity to 45%, the air temperature immediately decreases by 2°C.
On the Red Sea coast it is also very hot, but there is high air humidity (about 80%), moreover, a light sea breeze brings coolness to the hot continent and the heat is tolerated a little easier. The water in the Red Sea is fresh milk, about +29°C.
The summer heat continues in August, and only in September the temperature slowly but surely declines, although this is also a very hot month. The average daily air temperature in September is similar to May, and reaches the same +38°C.
Relief comes only in October. Although this month can hardly be called comfortable for staying in the country, even though it is considered autumn, and the daytime air temperature, in most regions of the country, remains at +30 - +32°C. Only in the evenings does it become comfortable, the average night temperature is +23 - +25°C.
November is a cooler month, compared to October, the average daily air temperature is +23 - +26°C, which is a fairly comfortable level for relaxing and traveling around the country. Autumn time perfect for spending a holiday on the country's sea coast - the water in the Red Sea is ideal for swimming, and the thirty-degree heat is quite comfortable to bear.
Saudi Arabia is a very dry country. The average annual precipitation is only 100 - 200 mm, and it is distributed unevenly: in the east and center of the country the rainy season lasts from February to April, and in the west - exclusively in winter. At the same time, it rains regularly on the Red Sea coast, but in the capital Riyadh it practically never rains.
The Rub al-Khali desert is almost no different from the driest on the globe, the Libyan Desert and the Central Sahara. The climate here is hyper arid: there may be no precipitation here for up to 5 years, and the maximum amount per year does not exceed 35 mm.
When to go to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is a fairly closed state, there are very few travelers here, they are reluctant to issue visas, and strict morals and customs, laws that do not spare anyone, are not very attractive to foreign citizens.
However, if you want to visit this mysterious country, it is better to choose the autumn months (October - November) and spring months (March - April) for travel. At this time, the weather is warm and comfortable, and you can visit interesting places and sights of the country, and relax on the Red Sea coast.
It will be nice here and in winter time- from December to early March. Enough comfortable temperature, more familiar to Europeans, not hot, but quite moderate for excursion tours around the country. The only exception in winter is, perhaps, the Asir Mountains, which are immersed in thick fog in the cold season.
The summer months, from May to the end of September, are the worst choice for a trip. It is incredibly hot here, and there is very little humidity - it is extremely difficult for a person not accustomed to such heat to tolerate such a climate. People with cardiovascular diseases and those who do not tolerate heat are strongly advised not to travel to Saudi Arabia during the summer months. In addition, the beginning of summer is accompanied by frequent sandstorms - and this is a real disaster for any trip.
In Saudi Arabia there is the holy city of Mecca for Muslims, where Muslims from all over the world make pilgrimages. During periods of the greatest number of pilgrims, stampedes, fires and other incidents with injuries and deaths often occur. If your goal is not a pilgrimage tour to Mecca, it is recommended to avoid visiting the country during Muslim holidays.
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CLIMATE, WEATHER
Saudi Arabia is located on the Arabian Peninsula. The western borders are washed by the Red Sea, and the northeastern borders are washed by the Persian Gulf. The country's territory is 2.2 million km2. The capital Riyadh is located in the center of the state.
In the west of Saudi Arabia there is a hard-to-reach mountain range that turns into lowlands on the Red Sea coast. The lowland stretches along the shore Persian Gulf. This area is swampy. Between the mountains and the lowlands in the east, tourists will see deserts that occupy 70% of the country's territory. In the south the deserts are sandy, and in the north they are rocky.
The climate of Saudi Arabia is arid. On average, up to 100 mm of precipitation falls annually. In the west and center of the country, rains appear from January to March, and on the shores of the Red Sea - only in winter.
Tourists in Saudi Arabia are attracted by the ruins of Musk Castle, the Fountain of the Kings, Masjid an-Nabi and other attractions. The travel season is considered to be autumn and spring. To determine your tour date, please check weather in Saudi Arabia by month.
Weather in Saudi Arabia in January
. on the west coast: +22.8°С…+28.3°С;
. on the east coast: +16.8°С…+21.5°С.
In January, precipitation is recorded only on the west coast, and only on one day. Up to 21 mm of rain falls. It is comfortable to swim in the sea, the water temperature is set at +26.5°C, and in the bay it does not exceed +18°C.
Weather in Saudi Arabia in February
Average daily air temperature:
. on the west coast: +23.4°С…+29.9°С;
. on the east coast: +17.3°С…+22.6°С.
No precipitation is recorded anywhere in February. The water temperature in the sea is +25.9°C, and in the bay - +17.7°C. Wind speed varies between 3.9-4.9 m/s.
Weather in Saudi Arabia in March
Average daily air temperature:
. on the west coast: +24.6°С…+32°С;
. on the east coast: +20.4°С…+26.4°С.
Wind speed in March fluctuates in the range of 5-5.5 m/s. No rainfall is recorded, except for the city of Taif in the west. There it falls up to 24 mm, it rains for 2 days. The water temperature in the sea is +26.1°C, in the bay - +20°C.
Weather in Saudi Arabia in April
Average daily air temperature:
. on the west coast: +26.6°С…+34.5°С;
. on the east coast: +25.1°С…+31.6°С.
There is still no precipitation recorded in April. It rains only in Taif, 3 days a month. The water in the sea is warming up by one degree, now +27.2°C, and in the bay by three: +23.8°C. Wind speed does not exceed 5 m/s.
Weather in Saudi Arabia in May
Average daily air temperature:
. on the west coast: +28.7°С...+37.6°С;
. on the east coast: +30.4°С…+37.2°С.
In May, wind speed increases to 5.4 m/s. The water temperature in the sea reaches +28.9°C, and in the bay the water warms up to +28.2°C. The sun shines 13 hours a day. It rains only in Taif for one day.
Weather in Saudi Arabia in June
Average daily air temperature:
. on the west coast: +28.5°С…+39.3°С;
. on the east coast: +32.7°С…+40.1°С.
There is no precipitation anywhere in June. Wind gusts in some places reach 7 m/s. The temperature of the surrounding reservoirs is set at +29°С…+30°С.
Weather in Saudi Arabia in July
Average daily air temperature:
. on the west coast: +29.3°С…+39.8°С;
. on the east coast: +34.2°С…+41.5°С.
In July, rain is still not recorded, but one day of precipitation returns to Taif. The temperature of reservoirs fluctuates between +30°С…+32.7°С. Wind speed decreases to 6 m/s.
Weather in Saudi Arabia in August
Average daily air temperature:
. on the west coast: +29.3°С…+39.9°С;
. on the east coast: +33.9°С…+41.6°С.
In August, the wind subsides to 5.5 m/s. The water temperature stays within +31.2°С…+34°С. Precipitation is recorded only in Taif; it rains for one day. The sun shines 12-13 hours a day.
Weather in Saudi Arabia in September
Average daily air temperature:
. on the west coast: +28°С…+39.3°С;
. on the east coast: +32°С…+39.8°С.
In September, weather conditions do not change. The water temperature varies between +30.7°С…+32.7°С. No precipitation is recorded. Wind speed does not exceed 5 m/s.
Weather in Saudi Arabia in October
Average daily air temperature:
. on the west coast: +26.2°С…+37.1°С;
. on the east coast: +28.2°С…+35.6°С.
In October there is no rain throughout Saudi Arabia. Wind speed varies between 4-4.5 m/s. The water in the sea and bay cools to +29°С…+30°С.
Weather in Saudi Arabia in November
Average daily air temperature:
. on the west coast: +25.4°С…+33.7°С;
. on the east coast: +23.3°С…+28.6°С.
In November, 2-3 rainy days appear in Saudi Arabia, and the maximum precipitation immediately falls. On the sea coast, 23.3 mm of rain is recorded, and on the bay coast - 21 mm. The water in the bay cools to +25°C, and in the sea the water temperature remains at +29°C.
Weather in Saudi Arabia in December
Average daily air temperature:
. on the west coast: +24.6°С…+30.3°С;
. on the east coast: +18.5°С…+23.2°С.
In December, rainfall in Saudi Arabia disappears again. The water temperature in the sea is set at +27.8°C, and in the bay the water cools to +20.3°C. Wind speed varies between 4.5-5.5 m/s.