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Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Wyche FOWLER, Jr.
embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
mailing address: American Embassy-Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE
09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800
FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360
consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

Flag description: green with large white Arabic script (that may be
translated as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of
God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist
side); green is the traditional color of Islam

@Saudi Arabia:Economy

Economy-overview: This is a well-to-do oil-based economy with strong
government controls over major economic activities. About 35% of GDP
comes from the private sector. Economic (as well as political) ties
with the US are especially strong. The petroleum sector accounts for
roughly 75% of budget revenues, 35% of GDP, and 90% of export
earnings. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the
world (26% of the proved total), ranks as the largest exporter of
petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. For the 1990s the
government intends to bring its budget, which has been in deficit
since 1983, back into balance, and to encourage private economic
activity. Roughly 4 million foreign workers play an important role in
the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service sectors. Helped
by production above its OPEC quota, Saudi Arabia continued to bring
its finances closer into balance in 1997, recording a $1.6 billion
budget deficit and a $200 million current account surplus. For 1998,
the country looks to its policies of maintaining moderate fiscal
reforms, restraining public spending, and encouraging nonoil exports.
Shortages of water and rapid population growth will constrain
government efforts to increase self-sufficiency in agricultural
products.

GDP: purchasing power parity-$206.5 billion (1997 est.)

GDP-real growth rate: 4% (1997 est.)

GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$10,300 (1997 est.)

GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 46%
services: 48% (1996)

Inflation rate-consumer price index: 0% (1997 est.)

Labor force: 7 million
by occupation: government 40%, industry, construction, and oil 25%,
services 30%, agriculture 5%
note: 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national
(July 1998 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%