Each Monday a new and interesting tidbit of Saudi Arabian information will be posted.Monday, January 30The Search for Oil
In 1930 King Abdul Aziz invited a wealthy American businessman and philanthropist, Charles R. Crane, to visit the Kingdom. In the course of Crane's visit, it was agreed that he should send a mining engineer to conduct a survey of Saudi Arabia to assess the Kingdom's water, mineral and oil resources. A key finding was that the geological formations in eastern region around Dhahran strongly indicated the presence of oil. Initial exploration produced disappointing results but in 1935 a well drilled in Dhahran found indications of oil in commercial quantities.
Monday, January 23Saudi Arabian Currency
On June 1, 1986 the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority set a fixed exchange rate of the Saudi Riyal at 3.75 SR to 1.00 USD (United States Dollar). Saudi coins are called halalahs, with 100 halalahs equal to one riyal. Coins are issued in values of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500 halalahs. Notes are issued in values of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 riyals.
Monday, January 16Water Market in Saudi Arabia
With limited natural water resources, the country had no choice but to resort to well water and to the sea to provide its increasing population with the water they need.
Monday, January 999 Names of Allah
The 99 Names of God, according to Islamic tradition, are the names of God that God revealed to man. The Prophet Mohammed proclaimed:
"To God belongs 99 names, 100 minus 1,
anyone who memorizes them will enter Paradise;
He (God) is odd (odd number, he is the Only one),
and He loves odd numbers (such as 99)".
Sunday, January 1 |
Fun Saudi Trivia Quiz |
Arabic Proverb - An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
