Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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KINGDOM of SAUDI ARABIA Arranged to Fulfill Cross Cultural Understanding Course Assignment Guided by: Mr. Bambang Sugeng, Ph.D By: Tomyzul Habib 11202244033 Lionita Inka Tastama 11202244039 ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FACULTY OF LANGUAGES AND ARTS YOGYAKARTA STATE OF UNIVERSITY 2013 KINGDOM of SAUDI ARABIA 1. General Facts Location : The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia lies between the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, and has a land mass about the size of Western Europe. It contains the world's largest continuous sand desert, known as the Empty Quarter. Saudi Arabia is bordered by Jordan to the north; Iraq and Kuwait to the northeast; Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to the east; and Yemen and the Sultanate of Oman to the south. Capital : Riyadh Climate : Harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes Population : 26,939,583 (July 2013 est.) Ethnics : Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% Religions : Muslim (official) 100% Government : Monarchy Language : Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia, but English is widely spoken. 2. Social & Culture A. The Family The family is the most important social institution in Saudi Arabia. For Saudis generally, the family is the primary basis of identity and status for the individual and the immediate focus of individual loyalty. As is seen in their naming conventions, Saudis are cognizant of their heritage, their clan, and their extended family, as well as their nuclear family. Saudis take their responsibilities to their family quite seriously. Families tend to be large and the extended family is quite close. B. Etiquette in Saudi Arabia Meeting Etiquette Men shake hands. Good friends may greet each other with a handshake and a kiss on each cheek. Women generally hug and kiss close friends. Men and women would not greet each other in public I from outside the family. When Saudis greet each
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