About Saudi Arabia

LOCATION
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula, lies at the furthermost part of southwestern Asia. It is bordered by the Arabian Gulf, United Arab Emirates and Qatar in the east; Red Sea in the west; Kuwait, Iraq and Jordan in the north; Yemen and Oman in the south.

TIME ZONE
Saudi Arabia falls under Arabia Standard Time (AST) and is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). This time zone is in use during the whole year.

LANGUAGE
Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia, but English is widely spoken and serves as a second language in the Kingdom.

GEOGRAPHY
Saudi Arabia’s geography is diverse, with forests, grasslands, mountain ranges and deserts. The climate varies from region to region. Temperatures can reach over 40.C in the desert in the summer, while in the winter temperatures in the north and central parts of the country can drop below freezing. Saudi Arabia gets very little rain, only about four inches a year on average.

CURRENCY
Saudi’s national currency is the Saudi riyal (SAR). The U.S. dollar is equivalent to SAR 3.75 (fixed rate).

VISAS
The visa process is simple. Through the fast and easy-to-use online portal, international visitors from 49 eligible countries can apply for an eVisa. For those not included in the list, the Film AlUla team can support with applications.

Visit the official Tourist Visa site for more information or email the Film AlUla team for assistance.

CULTURE
Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and traditions have been shaped by its position as a historic trade hub and the birthplace of Islam. In recent years, the Kingdom has undergone a significant cultural transformation, evolving century-old customs to fit the contemporary world we live in today.