The Country
Saudi Arabia has an area in excess of 2.25 million sq. kms. As such, it occupies almost 85 per cent of the Arabian Peninsula. There are four geographic areas, i.e. a central plateau known as the Nejd, an eastern province, Al-Hasa; its northwestern region, the Hejaz and a southwestern area, the Asir. Each of the these has its own distinctive features and character; one of the most dramatic being the mountain range that runs along the entire western side of the Kingdom, more or less parallel with the Red Sea coastline. Known for its deserts, the renowned Rub al-Khali or Empty Quarter, one of the largest in the world, occupies approximately half of country's land area.
The Kingdom also has a number of islands, both in the Gulf and in the Red Sea with its largest archipelago being the Farasan islands, off its southwestern shores. Its marine environment is rich in sealife and coral reefs are well developed.
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