Saudi ArabiaDue to its entry restrictions, Saudi Arabia is a destination that many travellers are intrigued by. With spectacular desert and mountain scenery, Saudi Arabia also has some of the Middle East's best archaeological sites. Key facts are as follows: Full country name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia CultureSaudi Arabian culture revolves almost entirely around Islam - two of Islam's holiest sites are in the country, and it considers itself the birthplace of the religion. Every day, five times a day, Muslims are called to prayer from the minarets of mosques. Islamic law forbids the consumption of pork and alcohol, and this law is strictly followed. Saudi Arabian dress is generally loose garments with Islam's emphasis on covering up. Traditionally, men wear an ankle-length shirt with a ghutra (a large square of cotton held in place by a cord coil) worn on the head. Saudi women usually wear a long black robe (abaya) and veil (niqab) when they leave the house, to protect their modesty. ClimateSaudi Arabia is mostly desert, with extreme climates. From mid-April to mid-October, daytime temperatures can be 45°C or higher throughout the country. In the dead of winter (December to January) the cities are only around 15°C during the day, and central deserts can be colder at night. In the coastal areas it rains regularly, with high humidity in the summer, but there's very little rainfall in the capital Riyadh. EventsSaudi Arabia's holidays are mainly Islamic, with the largest being Ramadan (a month of fasting between sunrise and sunset). Ramadan is mandatory, even for visitors and you are expected not to smoke, drink or eat in public during this period. Ramadan ends with a huge feast. Eid al-Adah, is the other big feast of the year, and marks the time when Muslims should make the pilgrimage to Mecca. The only non-religious festival is the Jinadriyah National Festival of folklore and culture, held every February. Further Information
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