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Fatimah Al Zimam is an official guide who welcomes tourists from around the globe into Saudi Arabia, which opened to nonreligious tourism this year. She drives a pickup truck and wears her hair loose and unruly.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy-governed kingdom, is one of the world’s most populous countries. Home to one of the largest oil reserves and boasting an ever-expanding economy, Saudi Arabia has witnessed rapid development, which has improved the standard of living for its people, such as higher literacy rates and decreased infant mortality rates. Saudi Arabia relies on oil revenues for funding spending programs designed to sustain economic growth while improving social welfare.
Cultural Heritage The Kingdom boasts a long and distinguished cultural legacy, with evidence of human activity dating back over 10,000 years. Once known as the Cradle of Islamic Civilization – Mecca and Medina can be found within its Western Highlands – its vast desert areas contain numerous petroglyphs left by past generations as petroglyphs or inscriptions by its forebearers.
Historical exploration revealed a Kingdom that was semi-nomadic and agricultural; with oil discovered, its trajectory changed drastically into becoming an industrialized state with high standards of living for its population. Most residents are ethnic Arabs, with smaller percentages belonging to Afro-Asian and Persian peoples.
Saudi culture is deeply rooted in Islam and the Arabic language. Family values dominate Saudi society; women must submit to male authority when driving or traveling alone, with great emphasis being placed on religious observance and moral behavior.
Saudi Arabian government supports arts and culture with several art galleries and museums, thriving music scenes featuring famous regional musicians, and highly esteemed literature, including classical Arabic poetry often recited at weddings or other celebrations, as well as increasing readership for modern novels written within Saudi society. All publications must adhere to Sharia law, which can be enforced through Saudi state censors.
Saudi Arabia has long had a policy of conserving its natural environment and wildlife, including through creating numerous nature parks and reserves to safeguard biodiversity. Furthermore, they are members of the Convention on Biological Diversity as well as having signed treaties protecting endangered species. Moreover, they support an independent Iraq while continuing to support unified governance within it.
Yemen
Yemen, located in the south of the Arabian Peninsula, is bordered by Saudi Arabia to its north, Oman to its east, and the Red Sea to its west. Yemen also lies strategically along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait – one of the busiest shipping lanes worldwide. Yemen is a republic with a bicameral legislature in which the president and prime minister each hold equal powers; additionally, it belongs to the Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Non-Aligned Movement membership organizations.
Sana’a is the capital and largest city of Yemen. Other major cities are Aden, Harbia, and Ibb. With an estimated population of 28 million, Yemen’s demographic makeup primarily comprises Semitic Arabs; however, there are also small African (mainly of Ethiopian and Somalian origin) and Indian people present. Yemen has 22 governorates divided among mountainous terrain and desert terrain, the highest point being Djebel Al-Nabi Shu’ayb at 7200m altitude.
Yemen is home to numerous landmarks with immense cultural and historical significance, many of which have been honored with World Heritage status by UNESCO. These iconic landmarks stand as a testament to Yemen’s rich and diverse past.
Recent years have brought Yemen adversity and economic turmoil, placing it among the world’s most vulnerable states, according to the UN. War, worsening environmental degradation, and collapsing economies make providing basic needs harder than ever in Yemen.
Even with its challenges, Yemen remains an attractive travel destination. Unlike many Middle Eastern nations, Yemen remains relatively immune from globalization while providing travelers with rich cultural and heritage experiences.
Yemen is known for being a highly patriarchal culture, where men generally make the most important decisions regarding family and community matters. Women typically play secondary roles within their households and are responsible for raising children, but some may work outside the home to supplement their incomes. Women in Yemen are traditionally highly respected for being capable of bearing children.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a moderately liberal Gulf nation with close ties to Western countries dating back centuries as a constitutional monarchy federation made up of seven emirates with Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah Fujairah Ras al Khaimah Umm al Quwain as major urban areas.
The UAE economy relies heavily on oil and gas exports and has made considerable investments in infrastructure and technology. Human rights in this region are generally above average, while property rights scores in all Gulf states exceed the global average. The trade surplus is substantial, while government corruption levels fall well below international norms.
Overall, the UAE is open to foreign investment and boasts an advanced banking system. As an active member of several international organizations such as OPEC, G-20, and the Arab League, it also formed the Gulf Cooperation Council with Israel, sharing both security and economic ties between them.
Tribal life remains at the core of UAE culture, renowned for its centuries-old tradition of mutual assistance and generosity between families, clans, and broader communities. This practice is influential in rural areas where family farms produce much of the nation’s food supply.
Although its roots lie in Islam, the UAE is one of the more secular countries in the Middle East. Its constitution protects freedom of religion, while religious tolerance has long been practiced here. Unfortunately, recent years have witnessed incidents involving noncitizen Shiite Muslims experiencing discrimination or being deported due to being noncitizens;
UAE culture extends far beyond its modern infrastructure. Many significant cities feature world-class museums and art galleries, while national parks and nature reserves showcase their natural beauty. Furthermore, its tolerant society has led to a vibrant music scene featuring traditional Arabic influences combined with Western musical traditions; notable UAE musicians include Sheikh Hassan, Mohammed Al-Shawi, and Amal Yassir, among many others.
Iran
Iran is a mountainous and arid nation in southwestern Asia with a long and distinguished culture and history that dates back to the Achaemenian period (550 BCE). Although initially established as a parliamentary republic, economic turmoil and international unrest have led it down the path of authoritarianism, with Tehran having to suppress discontent domestically as well as abroad, ruling it dictatorship; whether Iran will ultimately help or hinder in stabilizing its region remains to be seen.
