Linimex Life in Saudi Arabia

Al-Khobar City

Climate

Saudi Arabia is dry country. The extreme north and south is the annual rainfall over 100 millimeters. The aridity causes great extremes of temperature, with wide variations both regionally and seasonally. The Central Region has hot, dry summers from May to October with temperatures climbing to a maximum of 50oC, while the winters are cool and dry with night-time temperatures falling to near-freezing. In contrast the Western and Easter regions have hot, humid summers, with a maximum temperature of around 42oC, and warm winters.

History

The Arabian Peninsula is the birthplace of Islam and the site of some of the world's oldest civilizations. The area's early history is one of small centers surrounded by vast tracts of territory roamed by nomadic tribes. By the end of the sixth century, the Hijaz cities of Taif, Mekka and Medinah had become prominent. Mekka, the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed, and Medinah, the place of his burial, are centers of pilgrimage for the Islamic world. In 1902, Abdulaziz Ibn Abdul Rahman, often known as Ibn Saud, captured Riyadh and in 1913, Al Hassa was retaken. By 1926, the influence of the Sauds extended to the Red Sea province of the Hijaz and again included Mekka and Medinah. By 1932, their territories had become the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the country is known today. King Abdulaziz reigned until 1953, when his son, King Saud, succeeded him. His brother, King Faisal, in 1964, succeeded him, in turn, and in 1975 another brother, King Khalid, came to the throne. On his death in 1982, King Khalid was succeeded by the present King Fahd, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and also Prime Minister. Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz is the Crown Prince and Deputy Minister.

Naturalization

Currently Saudi Government allows Foreign Doctors and Engineers holding Doctorate and already lived continuously in Saudi during ten consecutive years to demand the Saudi nationality. We do not have any other specific criteria.

Transportation & Communication

The Kingdom is continually expanding its system of roads and telephones. The most convenient mode of transportation between cities, however, is the airplane. Daily flights link up to 20 cities in the Kingdom. Travel in the city is best done by taxi or bus. The telephone system is one of the most modern in the world. Internet, International telephone, telegraph, telex and FAX services are currently available.

Entry Regulations & Work Permits

An entry visa from a Saudi embassy must be obtained in order to visit the Kingdom. Saudi embassies have been granted the power to issue visitors visas to businessmen who have commercial and industrial interests in Kingdom. These visas are given for periods of one to three months. The rules and regulations concerning the recruitment and employment of foreigners govern the issue of visas for work in the Kingdom. Applicants must be sponsored by a Saudi individual or a government or business. Once the visa has been issued, the Ministry of Interior issues a resident permit covering the period of contract. Foreigners are not allowed to start working until they have a work permit.

Gestion Linimex

King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziiz

Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziiz

The popular crown prince of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdul Aziiz has been named the new ruler of the world's top oil exporter on August 1st 2005.

Defense Minster Prince Sultan, who is next in line to the throne after Abdullah, has been named his crown prince.

General Information About Saudi Arabia

Personal Appearance

The People's General Attitudes

Saudi Arabian men and women wear traditional dress. Men wear the ghutra (head cloth and thobe (white flowing robes). Women wear the veil and Abaya (black robe that covers from head to foot, often over long dresses tailored with beautiful, imported fabrics). One should not ask the Saudi Arabians women to remove their head coverings. Visitors should dress conservatively, and women should especially avoid wearing shorts, short sleeves, low necklines and tight-fitting clothing, otherwise women may be subjected to misconceptions that could lead to embarrassment or harassment.

Business Hours

The workweek runs from Saturday to Wednesday, with Thursday and Friday being the weekend. Friday is the Muslim day of rest and worship. Government offices are open from 7:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M., while non-government are open from 9:00 A.M. to noon, and again from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. During Ramadan, working hours are adjusted and many offices are closed by noon.

Dating and Marriage

A traditional Saudi Arabian wedding is an Islamic civil ceremony followed by separate parties for men and women. Traditionally, men pay dowries for their brides, with the money being used to help the new couple establish their first home. Although Islamic law allows a man to have up to four wives, most Saudi Arabian men have only one wife.

Eating

Western dining etiquette is observed in Westernized circles. Food is typically eaten with the right hand only. However, bread may be torn with the left hand. The Saudi Arabians delight in preparing an abundance of food for their guests, and it is acceptable to take multiple serving. Though hosts often strongly urge their guests to eat more, one may graciously decline.

Holidays

The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar month of 29 or 30 days, making the year 10 to 11 days shorter than the Western year. For this reason, holidays vary from year to year, with the exception of one holiday, National Day, which is celebrated on September 23rd. The calendar begins at the year of the hegira (flight of Mohammed from mekka to Medinah) in the seventh century A.D. During the month of Ramadan, all Muslims abstain from food, drink and smoking during daylight hours. Visitors are required by law to observe the fast of Ramadan while in public

Life in Saudi Arabia is relaxed and slow-paced, just the opposite of the rushed North American and European lifestyle. Saudi Arabians like to establish trust and confidence with the people they deal with before proceeding with any business at hand. They are very conscious of personal and family honor and can be easily offended by a perceived insult of that honor. Saudi Arabians are generous and hospitable, and greatly concerned with the welfare of their guests.

Economy

Possessing the world's largest oil reserves and oil production, Saudi Arabia has supported its economic development with its earnings from oil. Although the oil sector continues to be a dominant factor in economic growth.

Currency and Exchange Rate

The Saudi Riyal is the basic unit of national currency consisting of one hundred halalahs, backed by gold and convertible into foreign currencies. To maintain the Riyal at a steady rate, it is linked with the Special Drawing Rights Agreement (SDR) organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The current exchange rate is 3.75 Saudi Riyals to One U.S. Dollar, and this exchange rate has been stable over the last several years.

Diet

The Holy Koran forbids the consumption of pork and alcoholic beverages. Saudi dishes are composed mainly of rice with lamb or chicken and are mildly spicy. Saudi Arabians serve coffee or tea before all their meals. Buttermilk and camel's milk are also popular beverages. Foods from all over the world are readily available in large open markets and shops.

Government

Saudi Arabia has a monarchical system, with strong historical links between the Government and the Islamic religion. The powers and duties of the King are defined according to Shariah (Islamic) law. The King serves for the good of the people of Saudi Arabia and, although supreme authority rests with God, the enforcement of Shariah law is the responsibility of the ruler. The King holds a council (majlis) at which anyone may express a grievance or a request and expect the ruler to act upon it. The King's assignation as Custodian of the two Holy Mosques serves to underline the fundamental importance of religion in Saudi Arabia

Education

Lifestyle and Family

The government finances education through the university level. Saudi Arabia spends a larger percentage of its GNP on education than any other country in the world. both men and women are getting university degrees and entering the work force. Generous support is provided for vocational training in order to decrease the amount of skilled workers that must be imported from abroad. The literacy rate is estimated at over 50%.

Gestures

It is impolite to point at Saudi Arabians or signal them with the hand. One should also avoid using the left hand for gesturing or handling items in the presence of Saudi Arabians. It is advisable to avoid pointing the soles of your shoes towards Saudi Arabians, as it is an insult. Crossing your egs in the company of some Saudi Arabians may be taken as a sign of disrespect.

Language

Arabic is the official language of the Kingdom. It is the language of the Holy Koran and is also considered to be the language of God. English is spoken in some rural markets, and is widely spoken in business and educated circles (hospitals, museums and others).

Religion

Islam is the official religion in Saudi Arabia. Arabia is the birthplace of the revered prophet Mohammed and Saudi Arabia is the home of Islam's two most important sites: mekka and Medinah. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter these sacred cities. Foreigners are allowed freedom of religion.

Greeting Saudi Arabians

There are several forms of greeting in Saudi Arabia. The most common is a handshake with the right hand and the phrase "Assalaamu alaykum" (Peace be upon you). Frequently males will follow up by extending the left hand to each other's right shoulder and kiss the right and left cheeks. The greeting used depends on the individuals' relationship to each other and their status in Saudi Arabian society. When accompanied by a veiled woman, the man will normally not introduce her, nor should one expect to shake hands with her.

Currently men and women do exercise considerable influence within the home. Most families live as extended families, but more nuclear families are moving to the city and living in single-family homes. Separation of male and female is a tradition in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Khobar city

Is a large city located in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the Arabian/Persian Gulf. It has a population of around 200.000 and forms part of the greater Dammam metropolitan area along with Dhahran, which together have a combined population of over one million. All three urban centers are served by the King Fahd International Airport.

European and American expatriate workers not employed by Saudi Aramco are typically living in compounds scattered in the greater Khobar-Dammam area surrounded by fences or walls and guarded by security gates. Inside, a greater degree of cultural freedom is possible than outside the walls in the main urban center. Because of the comforts and greater freedoms found in compounds, they have attracted a wide range of ethnicities able to afford the lifestyle, including some Saudi families.

Many of Khobar's residents work for Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil company, in nearby Dhahran. Other residents work for Saad Group. Traditionally, Khobar has also been a city of shopkeepers and merchants, and the city today boasts numerous modern malls and boulevards with internationally-recognized franchise shops and eating places.

Health

The country is progressing rapidly. Medical facilities are improving and many doctors have been Western trained (Europe and North America)

Legal system

The judicial system is based on the Islamic "Sharia" which is based on the provision of the Holy Koran and the teaching of the Prophet Mohammed. "Ulama" (religious Scolars) interpret the provision of Sharia.


	Geography
	The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia occupies over 70% of the Arabian Peninsula, a vast and generally arid area larger than Western Europe. Encompassing a territory of about 2.25 million square kilometers, Saudi Arabia is bounded by the Red Sea to the west and by the Arabian Gulf, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman to the east. Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait lie to the north, while the Republic of Yemen is to the south.


	The Kingdom is divided into five main regions:
	1- The Eastern Region, the coastal area along the Arabian Gulf where the country's main oil reserves are located - is often called Al Hassa, after the large oasis around the cities of Hoffuf and Mubarraz. Some 13% of the Kingdom's total population live in this highly urbanized region, which also includes the larger coastal conurbation of Al-Khobar, Dhahran, Dammam and the industrial city of Jubail. 2- The Central Region, which is often called Najd after its main feature, an extensive plateau dissected by shallow valleys and prominent ridge formations, contains about 25% of the total population and is where Riyadh, the capital city, and the cities of Buraidah, Onaizah and Al Kharj are located. 3- The Western Region, the Hijaz, accounts for approximately 34% of the population, most of whom live in the holy cities of Mekka and Medinah, in Jeddah, and in the mountain resort of Taif. 4- The South-West Region, the Asir, is inhabited by about 16% of the population, the majority of whom live in villages in the mountains and along the coastal plains. Its main cities are Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Jajran. 5- The Northern Region accounts for about 12% of the population, with a relatively large proportion living in rural areas or in the cities of Tabuk, Ha'il, Sakakah and Arar. The Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter) is a wide expanse of barren and unpopulated land to the southeast. Riyadh City

	Population
	The population of Saudi Arabia is approximately 16 million. The Kingdom has one of the highest population growth rate in the world. The indigenous population is comprised of homogeneous nomadic tribes. The population-density rate is low by comparison with North American and European countries.



	The 16-mile King Fahd Causeway connects Khobar to the island nation of Bahrain, previously reachable only by air or sea.

	In earlier days, Khobar was a small port on the Persian Gulf, inhabited mainly by fishermen. With the discovery of oil in the 1930s, it was transformed into a major commercial and shopping center and, secondarily, an industrial port. In modern times, the larger port of Dammam has taken over most commercial shipping activities for the Eastern Province, and oil is exported via the dedicated Saudi Aramco port of Ras Tanura. As a result, Khobar has transformed and extended its waterfront along the Gulf into a scenic Beirut-like corniche with parks, eateries, and family beaches.