Saudi Arabia, an independent kingdom and by far the largest and most populous state of the Arabian Peninsula, occupies an area of 964,000 sq. mi., covering the entire central portion and extending from the Persian Gulf on the east to the Red Sea on the west, from Yemen and Oman on the south to Iraq and Transjordan on the north. It includes the Nefud and part of the Dahna Deserts. The kingdom has an estimated population of 5,500,000 Arabs. Saudi Arabia comprises three parts: Nejd in Central Arabia, Hejaz along the east coast, and Asir between Hejaz and Yemen on the Red Sea. There are two capitals, Mecca and Riyadh. The principal products are dates, barley, wheat, hides, wool, fruits, clarified butter, and cloaks. Camels, horses, donkeys and sheep are raised. The country imports coffee, rice, tea, and sugar. Saudi Arabia is ruled as an absolute monarchy by Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdur-Rahman Al-Faisal Al Sa'ud; Nejd, by the King's first son, Amir Saud; Hejaz, by a Council of Ministers under the presidency of the King's second son, Amir Feisal. See also ARABIA; IRAQ.
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