Capital of Saudi Arabia: Riyadh
The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh. Saudi Arabia sits in Asia, has a population of 36,408,820, and uses the SAR. Official languages include Arabic.
Quick facts
- Capital: Riyadh
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~36,408,820
- Area: 2,149,690 km²
- Population density: 16.9 people per km²
- Official language: Arabic
- Currency: SAR
- ISO code: SA
How big is Saudi Arabia?
By population, Saudi Arabia ranks 41st in the world, holding roughly 0.46% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 12th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Saudi Arabia has 16.9 people per square kilometre, which is about 3.5 times below the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Saudi Arabia is the 16th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Saudi Arabia in population are Angola (35,588,987) and Morocco (37,457,971).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Mexico (1,964,375 km²) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (2,344,858 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Arabic is spoken officially in 25 countries in this dataset, including Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Comoros and Djibouti, and 19 others.
Saudi Arabia uses the SAR, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
Saudi Arabia in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Saudi Arabia belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Saudi Arabia and a page on the flag of Saudi Arabia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Saudi Arabia?
The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh.
What is the population of Saudi Arabia?
About 36,408,820, making it the 41st most populous country in the world.
How big is Saudi Arabia?
2,149,690 square kilometres, ranking 12th by land area, at a density of 16.9 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Saudi Arabia use?
The SAR, which no other country uses.