SAUDI ARABIA:   The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia encompasses most of the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East and has a population of app. 27,000,000.  Riyadh is the largest city and capital.  The land is mostly desert, with still undefined boundaries separating it from neighboring Yemen, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.  A wealthy nation, due to it’s vast oil production and exports, Saudi Arabia has undergone extensive development and has fairly modern cities making shopping in Saudi Arabia a more familiar experience than one might expect!  In addition to smaller venues, shopping in Saudi Arabia is complemented by large modern retail centers and malls.  Here, those shopping in Saudi Arabia will be treated to an interesting blend of Middle Eastern retailers along with a host of world famous designers and decidedly Western retailers carrying a complete range of highly recognizable brands. Holy cities, such as Mecca and Medina, offer those shopping in Saudi Arabia interesting opportunities for souvenirs and gifts, as well as memorable sight-seeing and exploration.  The Saudi economy supports a large home-building industry and those shopping in Saudi Arabia for real estate will find extensive opportunity and a supportive banking and financing sector.  Saudi Arabia has become more tourist-friendly and shopping in Saudi Arabia reflects this growth and welcomed policy direction.