📖 About Riyadh

Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, has transformed from a small desert settlement into one of the Middle East's most dynamic metropolises. With a population exceeding 7.6 million, this sprawling city dominates the central Najd plateau at an elevation of about 600 meters. The name Riyadh comes from the Arabic "rawdah" meaning gardens, referring to the oasis that sustained the original settlement.

The city has experienced dramatic transformation in recent decades, especially since the launch of Vision 2030 initiatives. Where traditional mud-brick buildings once defined the landscape, now gleaming skyscrapers, mega-malls, and ambitious development projects reshape the skyline. The Kingdom Tower, once completed, will be the world's tallest building. Entertainment options, cinema, concerts, and sports events - previously banned - have flourished, fundamentally changing daily life.

As the capital of the world's largest oil exporter and custodian of Islam's two holiest sites, Riyadh wields enormous global influence. The city hosts royal palaces, government ministries, major corporations, and increasingly, international events from Formula E races to cultural festivals. For visitors, Riyadh offers insights into both the traditional heart of Arabia and its ambitious future, as Saudi Arabia pursues unprecedented social and economic transformation.

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💼 Economy & Culture

Riyadh serves as the command center of Saudi Arabia's oil-dominated economy, hosting Saudi Aramco (the world's most valuable company), major banks, and the Saudi stock exchange. Vision 2030 initiatives aim to diversify beyond oil into tourism, entertainment, technology, and financial services. Mega-projects like NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya theme city are transforming the landscape. The Public Investment Fund has made Saudi Arabia a major global investor. Real estate and construction boom as the population grows and development accelerates.

Saudi culture is rooted in Bedouin traditions and Islamic values. The recent opening has transformed cultural life - cinemas, concerts, theater, and mixed-gender entertainment are now normal after decades of prohibition. Traditional hospitality remains paramount, with Arabic coffee and dates offered to guests. Cuisine features lamb dishes, rice preparations like kabsa, and Middle Eastern mezze. The annual Janadriyah festival celebrates traditional Saudi culture. Art galleries and cultural institutions are emerging. The change has been dramatic: a society once among the world's most restrictive now hosts international entertainers and sporting events, though Islamic traditions continue to shape daily life.

📜 History

The Riyadh area has been inhabited for thousands of years, with ancient settlements benefiting from natural water sources in the otherwise arid landscape. The town of Riyadh emerged in the 18th century, but its pivotal moment came in 1902 when the young Abdul Aziz ibn Saud captured the Masmak Fortress with a small band of followers, launching the campaign that would unite much of the Arabian Peninsula under Saudi rule by 1932.

Riyadh became capital of the new Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, though it remained a modest desert town until oil revenues began flowing in earnest from the 1950s. The following decades saw explosive growth - traditional mud buildings gave way to modern construction, and the population exploded as migrants arrived for work. King Faisal's development programs in the 1960s-70s established the city's modern infrastructure. Recent decades have seen continued expansion and, since 2016, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 has initiated unprecedented social transformation alongside economic diversification. Riyadh continues to evolve rapidly as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a regional powerhouse embracing selected aspects of modernity while maintaining its unique Islamic and Arabian character.