Riyadh - School of Architecture

SOCIAL BACKGROUNDPOPULATIONIn 40 years time, the population of Riyadh rose bymore than 10 times. In 1972, there were 500,000people and by 2012, there were 5,400,000, whichwas above 20% of the country population. Andthe number is expected to grow ever drasticallyin the coming years.CUISINENejdi dish Kabsa and Yemeni dish Mandi are themost common dish in Riyadh. Both of them aresome mixtures of spices, rice, meat, and vegetables.In Riyadh, 60% are Saudi people while 40% areforeigners such as Asia and Arab people. Peopleliving there (not only working) also come fromPakistan, India, Bangladesh, Yemen and Sudan.ECONOMYThe country’s economy is mainly based on petroleum.It owns one fifth of the world proven totalpetroleum reserves. This business contributes 75%of its budget revenues, 90% of its export revenuesand 45% of its GDP.DRESSPeople wear loose, flowing, but covering clothessuch as Keffiyeh, Agal, Thawb, Bisht and Abaya.SOCIAL HIERARCHYTribal Status Category1. Qabila: claim purity of descent Arab ancestors(nobility), usually tanning hides/ metal workers2. Khadira (non-tribal families): tradesmen, artisans,merchants, scholars3. Abd (slave)DAILY SCHEDULEBusinesses open from 8 am to 11 am, then closeuntil 4:30 pm and reopen until 10 pm. All shops,businesses and restaurants, etc., will close fourtimes per day for 30 minutes for prayer. Workweek is from Sunday to Thursday with Friday andSaturday as weekend.KeffiyehAbaya