arch is both the chief of state
and head of government
cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes
many royal family members
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary

Legislative branch: a consultative council (90 members and a chairman
appointed by the monarch for four-year terms)

Judicial branch: Supreme Council of Justice

Political parties and leaders: none allowed

International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF,
BIS, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: (202) 342-3800
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York

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: (1) 488-3800
FAX: (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 an oil-based economy with strong
government controls over major economic activities. 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. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of
budget revenues, 40% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 35% of
GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 4 million foreign workers
play an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil
and service sectors. Saudi Arabia was a key player in the successful
efforts of OPEC and other oil producing countries to raise the price
of oil in 1999 to its highest level since the Gulf War by reducing
production. Although oil prices are expected to remain relatively high
in 20