Professional Documents
Culture Documents
YEP Travel Booklet
YEP Travel Booklet
YEP Travel Booklet
Table of Contents
Section Page
I. Trip Flight Details
Details Itinerary
Packing List
Weather & Climate Details
Contact List
General Rules & Regulations
Luggage Restrictions & Details
II. Fast Facts
Essential People
Country Geography
Details History
Culture
Economy
Government
Travel Tips
III. Behaviour Tips
Personal Safety & Security
Guide Traffic Safety & Road Conditions
Special Circumstances
Criminal Penalties
IV. Reflection Tool
Personal Notepad
Notes
FOR YOU!
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Youth Exchange Programme
Saudi Arabia – Singapore
Travel Booklet
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Youth Exchange Programme
Saudi Arabia – Singapore
Travel Booklet
The following is the Packing List for YEP trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The
quantity stated is for the students’ reference unless otherwise indicated.
Please bring more if required or as sufficient.
Gentle Reminders:
1. Rest well before the long flight.
2. Do not wear contact lenses on flight.
3. Wear loose comfortable clothing.
4. Take proper medication at least 2 hours before flight if you are prone to
motion sickness.
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Youth Exchange Programme
Saudi Arabia – Singapore
Travel Booklet
Max Temp 38 41
(°C)
Rainfall 10 0
(mm)
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Youth Exchange Programme
Saudi Arabia – Singapore
Travel Booklet
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Youth Exchange Programme
Saudi Arabia – Singapore
Travel Booklet
Liquids include :
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Youth Exchange Programme
Saudi Arabia – Singapore
Travel Booklet
Population 24.200.000
Electrical Plugs
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Youth Exchange Programme
Saudi Arabia – Singapore
Travel Booklet
110/220V 60Hz
2.2 People
2.3 Geography
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Saudi Arabia – Singapore
Travel Booklet
Area: 1,960,582 million sq. km. (1,176,349 mi.), about one-fourth the size of
the continental United States.
Cities (2001 est.): Capital--Riyadh (pop. 4.3 million). Other cities--Jeddah
(2.25 million), Makkah, (1.2 million), Dammam/Khobar/Dhahran, (1.6 million).
Terrain: Primarily desert with rugged mountains in the southwest.
Climate: Arid, with great extremes of temperature in the interior; humidity
and temperature are both high along the coast.
2.4 History
2.5 Culture
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Youth Exchange Programme
Saudi Arabia – Singapore
Travel Booklet
2.6 Economy
2.7 Government
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Saudi Arabia – Singapore
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Youth Exchange Programme
Saudi Arabia – Singapore
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Climate and clothing: Lightweight clothing is essential for the hot (38øC-
54øC) climate. However, during the winter months in the interior regions
(such as in Riyadh), the weather can be quite cool, so warmer clothing is
recommended. Riyadh is dry, while Jeddah and Dhahran are humid most of
the year. Western men and women should dress very conservatively. For
women, skirts should be mid-calf length, sleeves elbow length, and necklines
very modest; pants and pantsuits may attract unwanted attention.
Health: First-class hotels are available in all the major cities. Eat and drink
cautiously outside major hotels and restaurants. Hospital and emergency
care and services in major cities approach U.S. standards.
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Youth Exchange Programme
Saudi Arabia – Singapore
Travel Booklet
aa.You will probably witness the slaughter of animals like camels etc; do
not be alarmed or disgusted for it is an honour for you to witness that
pilgrimage
bb.Male guests and older men eat first, followed by younger men
cc. Women eat at a separate place/ corner
dd.Use your right hand to eat
ee.Do not interact with the opposite sex
ff. Men have more rights than women; ladies do not feel insulted at times
gg.A guest, upon arrival, should greet individually the host, and all others
present by shaking hands, or if well known to them, kissing the cheeks
three or more times
hh.When you are greeted, stand straight up
ii. Avoid direct eye contact with the opposite sex
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Youth Exchange Programme
Saudi Arabia – Singapore
Travel Booklet
♦ The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh cautions American citizens that Saudi Arabian
police authorities have detained potential witnesses to crimes without
charges or access to legal counsel, and with limited or delayed consular
access, during the investigative stage of criminal cases, which can take
months.
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Youth Exchange Programme
Saudi Arabia – Singapore
Travel Booklet
Saudi customs and postal officials broadly define what is contrary to Islam,
and therefore prohibited. Christmas decorations, fashion magazines, and
"suggestive" videos may be confiscated and the owner subject to penalties
and fines.
Islam is the official religion of the country and pervades all aspects of life in
Saudi Arabia. Public display of non-Islamic religious articles such as crosses
and Bibles is not permitted. Travel to Makkah (Mecca) and Medina, the cities
where the two holiest mosques of Islam are located, is forbidden to non-
Muslims.
The norms for public behavior in Saudi Arabia are extremely conservative,
and religious police, known as Mutawwa, are charged with enforcing these
standards. Mutawwa are required to carry special identification and usually
are accompanied by uniformed police; however, in some cases they have
detained persons even without police presence. To ensure that conservative
standards of conduct are observed, the Saudi religious police have accosted
or arrested foreigners, including U.S. citizens, for improper dress or other
alleged infractions, such as consumption of alcohol or association by a female
with a male to whom she is not related. While most incidents have resulted
only in inconvenience or embarrassment, the potential exists for an individual
to be physically harmed or deported.
Some Mutawwa try to enforce the rule that men and women who are beyond
childhood years may not mingle in public unless they are family or close
relatives. Mutawwa may ask to see proof that a couple is married or
related. Women who are arrested for socializing with a man who is not a
relative may be charged with prostitution. Some restaurants, particularly fast-
food outlets, have refused to serve women who are not accompanied by a
close male relative. In addition, many restaurants no longer have a "family
section" in which women are permitted to eat. These restrictions are not
always posted, and in some cases women violating this policy have been
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Youth Exchange Programme
Saudi Arabia – Singapore
Travel Booklet
arrested. This is more common in Riyadh and the more conservative central
Nejd region.
Saudi authorities do not permit criticism of Islam or the royal family. The
government prohibits the public practice of religions other than Islam. Non-
Muslims suspected of violating these restrictions have been jailed.
Homosexual activity is considered to be a criminal offence and those
convicted may be sentenced to lashing, prison, or death.
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Youth Exchange Programme
Saudi Arabia – Singapore
Travel Booklet
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10
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4.2 Notepad
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Saudi Arabia – Singapore
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