r (vacant); Ambassador Designate Adil
al-Ahmed al-JUBAYR
chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800
FAX: [1] (202) 944-3113
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James C. OBERWETTER
embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307;
International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800
FAX: [966] (1) 488-3989
consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

Flag description:
green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or
Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (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); design dates to
the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al
Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932

Economy Saudi Arabia

Economy - overview:
This is an oil-based economy with strong government controls over
major economic activities. Saudi Arabia possesses 25% of the world's
proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of
petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector
accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of
export earnings. About 40% of GDP comes from the private sector.
Roughly 5.5 million foreign workers play an important role in the
Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors. The
government is encouraging private sector growth to lessen the
kingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment opportunities
for the swelling Saudi population. The government is promoting
private sector and foreign participation in the power generation,
telecom, natural gas, and petrochemical industries. As part of its
effort to attract foreign investment and diversify the economy,
Saudi Arabia acceded to the WTO in December 2005 after many years of
negotiations. With high oil revenues enabling the government to post
large budget surpluses, Riyadh has been able to substantially boost
spending on job training and education, infrastructure development,
and government salaries.

GDP (purchasing power parity):
$374 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):
$286.2 billion (2006 est.)

GDP - real g