Wednesdays 10:00PM ET

Saudi Arabia

Next Airing on:
September 6 2:30PM ET

Saudi Arabia

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia takes up most of the Arabian Peninsula, its borders lining the Red Sea to the west and the Persian Gulf to the East, with Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria and Jordan as neighbors. Saudi Arabia is the capitol of the Muslim world, with over two million people per year visiting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina during their Hajj, the traditional pilgrimage that all Muslim adults must make in their lifetimes. It is the Hajj that calls most non-Saudis to Saudi Arabia's sweeping deserts and dramatic terrain. The strict adherence to Islam in all aspects of public life isn't an ideal draw for Western-style tourism. The non-Muslims that do enter the country are most likely connected to Saudi Arabia's other claim to fame, its prolific oil supply. Saudi Arabia is home to nearly 25% of the world's petroleum reserves, and the oil industry accounts for the bulk of the country's revenue. Aside from the heavily guarded compounds where Westerners affiliated with the oil biz are contained, alcohol is totally prohibited, and men and women live largely separate, highly regulated lives. Recently, the government has decided to issue tourist visas to a select group of organized tour groups. Groups are admitted, provided that they follow a strictly monitored itinerary. In this episode, we're treated to a rare glimpse of this mysterious empire, as Dr. Danger takes a daredevil's tour of the skies and sea of Saudi Arabia, with the Secretary General of the Supreme Commission of Tourism His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz serving as his private tour guide.

Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR), US $1 equals 4.00 SAR

Location: Riyadh

  • Thanks to the country's oil boom, this dynamic metropolis has come a long way from its ancient roots as a small walled city.
  • Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's center of power, a hub of commerce where the worlds of trade, travel, education, technology, and culture merge in a maze of high-rise towers and crowded streets.
  • The "DQ" (in Riyadh, it's where you'll find the Diplomatic Quarter, not a Peanut Butter Blizzard) is home to foreign embassies, international organizations and huge apartment buildings and shopping centers.
  • Its abundant lush gardens, sports facilities, and fine architecture have made Riyadh a model for other Islamic cities around the world.
  • Beyond the contemporary cityscape, the city's heart lies in the Al-Dirah district, which has been rebuilt in a style meant to evoke the old mud-brick buildings of the pre-20th century boom.
  • The 19th-century Masmak fort is one of the city's major attractions; to the west lies the Riyadh Museum of History and Archeology and the Murabba' Palace, an old residence of first Saudi king, Ibn Saud.
  • Just outside city limits, the camel market is a fascinating, but incredibly pungent place to wander around.

Location: Jeddah

  • With a thousand years of trading behind it, Jeddah is home to some of the world's most successful merchants and business people.
  • Sitting right on the Red Sea and within two hours flying distance of the major capitols of the Middle East and North Africa, Jeddah is the pulsating heart of the region.
  • The preserved buildings of the Old City rub up against modern skyscrapers, chic shopping centers, deluxe hotels and upscale seaside resorts that cater to the world's wealthiest.
  • The city that offers Prada, Gucci, and Giorgio Armani is also the entry point for millions of Islamic pilgrims making the Hajj toward Mecca and Medina.

Location: Mecca

  • Non-Muslims are forbidden from entering Islam's holiest cities.
  • The Masjid Al-Haram (Sacred Mosque) is located in the heart of Mecca and is built around the Kaaba, a holy stone structure said to be built by Ibrahim and his son Ismael and then rededicated by Muhammed when he destroyed the 360 idols that surrounded it.
  • Muslims around the world turn toward Mecca and the Kaaba five times a day when they are called to prayer.
  • Medina is the holy city where Muhammed is buried.
  • Muslims believe that praying once in Medina's Mosque of the Prophet is equal to praying at least 1000 times in any other mosque.

Location: Madain Saleh

  • Rising up from the vast desert sands of Saudi Arabia, the Madain Saleh is one of the country's most astounding sights.
  • This ancient cemetery is home to 131 tombs carved out of desert stone, 45 of them are inscribed with Aramaic script.
  • A permit is required, but most hotels and tour operators can get you one.