| Saudi Arabia, with a population of about 35.3 million, is the largest country on the Arabian Peninsula and a major political, economic, and religious center in the Middle East. Its capital is Riyadh, and under the Basic Law of Governance, the country is a monarchy headed by the King, with the Council of Ministers and the Shura Council among its principal institutions. Mecca and Medina, Islam’s two holiest cities, together with historic sites such as Diriyah and Hegra, give the country a prominent place in Islamic history and culture. Its location between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, vast energy resources, and regional economic and political role further enhance its international importance. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has introduced significant economic and social reforms; however, restrictions on freedom of expression and association, the treatment of critics and human rights defenders, migrant workers’ rights, and continuing forms of discrimination remain important human rights concerns. |
