Capital of Saudi Arabia: Riyadh — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh. Saudi Arabia sits in Asia, has a population of 36,408,820, and uses the SAR. Official languages include Arabic.
Quick facts
- Capital: Riyadh
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~36,408,820
- Area: 2,149,690 km²
- Population density: 16.9 people per km²
- Official language: Arabic
- Currency: SAR
- ISO code: SA
How big is Saudi Arabia?
By population, Saudi Arabia ranks 41st in the world, holding roughly 0.46% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 12th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Saudi Arabia has 16.9 people per square kilometre, which is about 3.5 times below the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Saudi Arabia is the 16th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Saudi Arabia in population are Angola (35,588,987) and Morocco (37,457,971).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Mexico (1,964,375 km²) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (2,344,858 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Arabic is spoken officially in 25 countries in this dataset, including Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Comoros and Djibouti, and 19 others.
Saudi Arabia uses the SAR, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Saudi Arabia
Riyadh means 'gardens', after the oasis towns that grew together to form the city. It is both the capital and the largest city. For the flag, remember green with white writing and a sword underneath.
The flag of Saudi Arabia: green and white
🇸🇦 The flag is a green flag with the Shahada, the Muslim declaration of faith, written in white Arabic script above a white sword. Green is the traditional colour of Islam, and the sword stands for safety and justice. Because the flag carries the Shahada, it is made with the same text on both sides so it reads correctly, and it is never flown at half-mast.
Region and neighbours
Saudi Arabia is a large country in West Asia that covers most of the Arabian Peninsula, between the Red Sea to the west and the Persian Gulf to the east. It shares land borders with 7 countries: Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen.
Three facts about Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia is the fifth-largest country in Asia and the twelfth-largest in the world.
- Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities in Islam, are in Saudi Arabia.
- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 by King Abdulaziz, who united several regions of Arabia into one state.
Sources: Wikipedia: Saudi Arabia, Wikipedia: Flag of Saudi Arabia, Wikipedia: Riyadh, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Saudi Arabia
- Asian capitals quiz — match Saudi Arabia to Riyadh
- Asian flags quiz — spot the Saudi Arabia flag among its neighbours
Saudi Arabia capital quiz
What is the capital of Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦?
- Sana'a
- Doha
- Kuwait City
- Riyadh
Show answer
Riyadh
What is the capital of Uzbekistan 🇺🇿?
- Singapore
- Dushanbe
- Seoul
- Tashkent
Show answer
Tashkent
What is the capital of Malaysia 🇲🇾?
- Colombo
- Baku
- Kuala Lumpur
- Tashkent
Show answer
Kuala Lumpur
What is the capital of Yemen 🇾🇪?
- Taipei
- Manama
- Islamabad
- Sana'a
Show answer
Sana'a
What is the capital of Afghanistan 🇦🇫?
- Sana'a
- Astana
- Doha
- Kabul
Show answer
Kabul
Saudi Arabia is also in the Middle East capitals quiz.
Saudi Arabia in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Saudi Arabia belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Saudi Arabia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Saudi Arabia?
The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh.
What is the population of Saudi Arabia?
About 36,408,820, making it the 41st most populous country in the world.
How big is Saudi Arabia?
2,149,690 square kilometres, ranking 12th by land area, at a density of 16.9 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Saudi Arabia use?
The SAR, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Saudi Arabia flag?
The flag of Saudi Arabia is a green flag with the Shahada, the Muslim declaration of faith, written in white Arabic script above a white sword. Green is the traditional colour of Islam, and the sword stands for safety and justice. Because the flag carries the Shahada, it is made with the same text on both sides so it reads correctly, and it is never flown at half-mast.
Which countries border Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia shares land borders with Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen.
How can I remember the capital of Saudi Arabia?
Riyadh means 'gardens', after the oasis towns that grew together to form the city. It is both the capital and the largest city. For the flag, remember green with white writing and a sword underneath.
More capitals to learn
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