Riyadh has been the capital of Saudi Arabia since 1932, but it hasn't always been the largest city (for a while the Jeddah port was the largest). Once oil had been found, the oil boom money boosted Riyadh to become the most high-tech and modern city in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has huge hotels, modern hospitals, and one of the biggest international airports in the world.
One of the oldest areas of Riyadh, Al-Bathaa, contains the Masmak Fortress (below) which was built around 1865 and was renovated in the 1980's. This mud fortress now serves as a museum devoted to King Abdul Aziz and his unification of Saudi Arabia.
These private houses are typical Saudi Arabian architecture with high walls and little lawn space. The high walls offer protection for the women who must cover their bodies with abayas if they can be seen in public.(You can see some women walking across the street in the picture below.)
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The Riyadh airport (pictured left) is one of the largest international airports in the world. Riyadh's population is over 3 million people and the city covers an area of more than 600 square miles. |
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The souqs or marketplaces in Riyadh show the extensive wealth of the country. Instead of discount stores, Riyadh has huge gold souqs and carpet souqs (pictured left.) |
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Saudis use these gold plated mabakhirs (incense burners) during religious rituals and to fragrance their homes. These incense burners have spirtual traditions in the Qu'ran and Saudi ancestors have been burning them for centuries. These Saudi merchants will gladly bargain with you for a lower price but sometimes will set their prices higher when they see an American. |
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These Riyadh malls are very similiar to Western shopping malls and have British and American stores such as IKEA. Some stores refuse to let women enter because of strict rules about the mixing of single Muslim men and women. You will not find any movie theatres in Saudi Arabia because of this Islamic rule. |