DIEC - Dhahran International Exhibitions Co.

Saudi Arabia traces its roots back to the earliest civilizations of the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula, with the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba to the west and the Persian Gulf to the east. Neighboring countries are Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the Sultanate of Oman, Yemen, and Bahrain, connected to the Saudi mainland by a causeway. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia’s population is around 22 million (2004 census), and its capital city is Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia’s geography is diverse, with forests, grasslands, mountain ranges and deserts. The climate varies from region to region. Temperatures can reach over 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the desert in the summer, while in the winter temperatures in the north and central parts of the country can drop below freezing. Saudi Arabia gets very little rain, only about four inches a year on average.
The Saudi government and the Kingdom’s political system are rooted in Islam's traditions which call for peace, justice, equality, consultation and respect for the rights of the individual. The legal system is based on the shariah (Islamic law).

The Kingdom has a modern transportation network of roads, railroads, air, marine and public transport. The country is also linked by a sophisticated communications network that serves as a basis for its economic growth and development.

Working Hours
Government offices are open from 7:30 a.m. till 2:30 p.m.; private businesses from 8:00 a.m. till noon, and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; general banking from 8:00 a.m. till noon. Markets and shops stay open till 9:00 p.m. Offices are closed Thursdays and Fridays.

Prohibitions:
Forbidden items include alcohol, narcotics, weapons, ammunition, pork and pornography. Prescription drugs must be documented. Makkah and Madinah hold special religious significance and only persons of the Islamic faith are allowed entry. Make sure that your passport is not expired and it is valid for at least six months.

Reporting Currency when entering or leaving Saudi Arabia
Saudi regulations require those traveling to or from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to declare all currency, negotiable instruments or precious metal in an aggregate amount exceeding 60,000 Saudi Riyal [U.S. $16,000] (or the equivalent in another currency) to Saudi Customs.