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Riyadh (Arabic: الرياضý ar-Riyāḍ, lit: The Gardens) is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Nejd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 4,854,000 people, and the urban center of a region with a population of close to 7 million people.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established by Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud, with Riyadh as its capital in 1932. When the oil boom hit in 1950, the city, developed into a metropolitan area and became one of the fastest growing and most thriving cities in the world.
Of all the Kingdom's developmental achievements, Riyadh is the most accessible to the foreign visitor. From the moment you land at the King Khalid International Airport, you will marvel at the breathtaking design combining the traditional Arab style with the best of modern architecture in a way that is spacious practical, leaving you aware of this cities wonder of modern times.
Area & Location: Situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, Riyadh lies in the central corridor of Saudi Arabia. Located at 24°42'42" Latitude North and 46°43'27" Longitude East, the city occupies a total area of 1,554 sq. km fully covered with land. With rising population, the city is home to well over 4,000,000 of its residents.
Tourist Attractions: There are many wonderful, enriching places to visit. Tourists can easily find historical monuments and architecture that tell the story of the city's history. There are also number of museums that preserve the remnants of the city as well. (See Travel section)
Transportation: King Khalid International Airport operates all domestic and international flights mainly from the Saudi Arabian airlines. There are many other public transportation facilities in the city such as buses and taxis.
Hotels: The city offers a wide range of hotels including, but not limited to the Al- Riyadh Sheraton hotel, Marriot hotel, Al-Faisaliyah hotel, Ulaya Palace hotel, Al-Khuzama and Four Seasons hotel. These hotels provide Internet, telephone, swimming pools etc. Having comfortable rooms with television and music system, visitors can enjoy their stay even more. They can also overlook the city in many of these high rising buildings.
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