Saudi Arabia occupies about 80% of the Arabian Peninsula,[198] lying between latitudes 16 and

33 N, and longitudes 34 and 56 E. Because the country's southern borders with the United
Arab Emirates and Oman are not precisely defined or marked, the exact size of the country
remains unknown.[198] The CIA World Factbook's estimate is 2,250,000 km2 (868,730 sq mi) and
lists Saudi Arabia as the world's 13th largest state.[199]
Saudi Arabia's geography is dominated by the Arabian Desert and associated semi-desert and
shrubland (see satellite image to right). It is, in fact, a number of linked deserts and includes the
647,500 km2 (250,001 sq mi) Rub' al Khali ("Empty Quarter") in the southern part of the country,
the world's largest contiguous sand desert.[80][200] There are virtually no rivers or lakes in the
country, but wadis are numerous. The few fertile areas are to be found in the alluvial deposits in
wadis, basins, and oases.[80] The main topographical feature is the central plateau which rises
abruptly from the Red Sea and gradually descends into the Nejd and toward the Persian Gulf. On
the Red Sea coast, there is a narrow coastal plain, known as the Tihamah parallel to which runs
an imposing escarpment. The southwest province of Asir is mountainous, and contains the
3,133 m (10,279 ft) Mount Sawda, which is the highest point in the country.[80]

The Nejd landscape: desert and the Tuwaiq Escarpment near Riyadh
Except for the southwestern province of Asir, Saudi Arabia has a desert climate with extremely
high day-time temperatures and a sharp temperature drop at night. Average summer temperatures
are around 113 F (45 C), but can be as high as 129 F (54 C). In the winter the temperature
rarely drops below 32 F (0 C). In the spring and autumn the heat is temperate, temperatures
average around 84 F (29 C). Annual rainfall is extremely low. The Asir region differs in that it
is influenced by the Indian Ocean monsoons, usually occurring between October and March. An
average of 300 mm (12 in) of rainfall occurs during this period, that is about 60% of the annual
precipitation.[201]
Animal life includes wolves, hyenas, mongooses, baboons, hares, sand rats, and jerboas. Larger
animals such as gazelles, oryx, and leopards were relatively numerous until the 1950s, when
hunting from motor vehicles reduced these animals almost to extinction. Birds include falcons
(which are caught and trained for hunting), eagles, hawks, vultures, sand grouse and bulbuls.
There are several species of snakes, many of which are venomous, and numerous types of
lizards. There is a wide variety of marine life in the Persian Gulf. Domesticated animals include
camels, sheep, goats, donkeys, and chickens. Reflecting the country's desert conditions, Saudi
Arabia's plant life mostly consists of small herbs and shrubs requiring little water. There are a

few small areas of grass and trees in southern Asir. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is
widespread.[80]