Info about Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Big Cities
Saudi Arabia remains a land of great mystery for the most western civilizations. However, now this Kingdom that has been subject of many fantasies and question during time is now more open to visitors. Once with the whole world, Saudi Arabia has developed and some ancient places where the pilgrims and the traders used to meet have become big cities.
The largest city in Saudi Arabia isRiyadh, the home of more than 7 million people. Its name comes from the Arabic world that means “gardens”, especially those from the desert. Therefore, it is easy to guess that this place for a blooming and fertile area for more than 1500 years. The city is situated in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula and it used to be famous for its dates, orchards and palm trees.
The city has known an amazing growth when it comes to its population from just 150,000 in 1960 to over 7 million nowadays. Consequently, the old city was extremely little, not exceeding one sq km, so many architectural remnats do not exist. However, the contemporary architectural elementsare impressive and more high towers can be found here. Among these, we can count Burj Al Mamlakah, the tallest skyscrapper in the city of 300 m or 1000 ft, Burj Al Faisaliyah, Burj Al Anoud and the Riyadh TV Tower.
Jeddah is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia and its history spreads over a much longer period of time. It has a population of 3.6 million people and it is considerd the most cosmopolitan and libertine city in the Saudi Arabia. However, it also has a district wher ruins of the old city can be seen. The local authorities are momentarily trying to rescue them. This is Saudi Arabia’s biggest commercial center and it is the perfect place for shopping. The city also has some well-known resorts such as Durrat Al-Arus, Red Sea Cornich, Al-Nawras Movenoick and sheraton Abhir. King’s fahd’ Fountain is one tourist attraction that must be seena s it is registered by Guiness World Records to have the highest water jet that can reach 312 metres.
Mecca is the third largest city in Saudi arabia with a population of 1.7 million people, but this is not the reason why it is so known. Mecca is related to the beginnings of Islamic religion dating back to the 10th cetury. It was here where Prophet Muhammad proclaimed for the first time Islam. Every Muslim has the duty to go the Mecca at least one time in their lifetime. When they arrive at Mecca, Muslims perform Umrah or the Haji, religious pilgrimages, all their sins are forgiven. The largest mosque in the world, Masjid al-Haram is located in the city of Mecca. Unfortunately, Mecca can be visited only by Myslims, the city being closed to the followers of other religions.
Saudi Arabia has become a compelling combination of the queer Islamic traditions and the modern life. Consequently, its biggest cities follow this trend and offer tourists a double perspective over the Saudi Arabian civilization.