Riyadh

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Riyadh

Q: Where is Riyadh located?

Riyadh is the capital city of Saudi Arabia. It is situated in the central portions of both Saudi Arabia and the larger Arabian Peninsula.

Q: What is the climate in Riyadh?

The climate of Riyadh is characterized by extreme heat in the summer, with average temperatures reaching the low 100s °F (low 40s °C), and by coolness in the winter, with lows averaging in the low 50s °F (low 10s °C). Humidity remains low throughout the year, and precipitation occurs mostly between the months of November and May.

Q: Why is Riyadh called the cultural capital of Saudi Arabia?

Riyadh is known as the cultural capital of Saudi Arabia due to its numerous cultural centres. Among them are the King ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Historical Centre, the National Museum, and the National Library.

Q: When did Riyadh become the capital of Saudi Arabia?

Riyadh was designated the capital of the unified Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.

national capital, Saudi Arabia

Also known as: Al-Riyāḍ

Written by Tschangho J. Kim

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Apr 9, 2024 • Article History

Category: Geography & Travel

Arabic:: Al-Riyāḍ

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Where is Riyadh located?

What is the climate in Riyadh?

Why is Riyadh called the cultural capital of Saudi Arabia?

When did Riyadh become the capital of Saudi Arabia?

Riyadh, city and capital of Saudi Arabia. The city’s name is derived from the plural of the Arabic rawḍah, meaning gardens or meadows, so named for a natural fertility provided by its location at the juncture of Wadis Ḥanīfah and Al-Baṭḥāʾ. The spectacular sight of Riyadh from the air, illuminated in the evening by city lights, is reminiscent of its eponymous meadows; a bright sea of lights dot the desert as if fluorescent flower gardens have suddenly blossomed among its dark contours. The city is located in the Minṭaqat Al-Riyāḍ, one of the country’s 13 provinces, and is situated in ...(100 of 2764 words)

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