THE MIDDLE EASTTHE MIDDLE EAST

4 WHP’s and John4 WHP’s and John::Nick GauthierNick Gauthier

John KastJohn KastDanielle NutterDanielle NutterAshlee RuggeriAshlee RuggeriAshley WrightAshley Wright

SAUDI ARABIASAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIASAUDI ARABIA

• Area: 2,149,690 sq. km. (slightly more than 1/5 the size of U.S.)

• Population: 27,019,731 (includes 5,576,076 non-nationals. 2006 est.)– Some cities and oases

have densities of more than 1,000 people per square kilometer (2,600 per sq. mi).

• Political System: Monarchy

Source: CIA Fact book

ECONOMIC DATAECONOMIC DATAGDP (Purchasing power parity) $374 Billion

EXCHANGE RATE 1 US dollar= $3.745 Saudi Riyal

(2006 est.)

SECTORAL DISTRIBUTION Agriculture: 3.3% Industry: 67%

Services: 29.8% (2006 est.)

PER CAPITA INCOME In Countries currency (Saudi riyals): $13,800 (2006 est.)

GENDER DISTRIBUTION OF WORKFORCE

7.125 million workers:

*more than 35% of the population in the 15-64 age

group is non-national (2006 est.) •5,531.55 (M)•809.63 (F)

Source: CIA Fact book

SOCIAL/CULTURAL FACTORSSOCIAL/CULTURAL FACTORS

• Language: Arabic• Age Distribution:

– 0-14= 38.2%– 15-64= 59.4%– 65 and up=2.4%

• Fertility Rate: 4 children per woman (2006 est.)

• Life Expectancy: – 73.66yrs.(M) – 77.78yrs.(F) – Total=75.67yrs.(2006 est.)

• Years of Mandatory School:– 80% for boys at the primary

level and 50% for girls. Attendance was 55% for boys at the secondary level and 22% for girls.

• Adult Literacy: (Ages 15 and up can read & write) – 84.7%(M) – 70.8%(F) – Total=78.8%

• Ethnic Groups: – 90% Arab– 10% Afro-Asian

• Major Religion: 100% Muslim

Source: CIA Fact

book

SOCIAL TRENDS/ ISSUESSOCIAL TRENDS/ ISSUES

• Women status and taboos on the rise

• The simplest expression of hospitality is coffee

• 12.81 deaths/1,000 live births

TECHNOLOGYTECHNOLOGY TransportationTransportation

Roadways• Total: 152,044 km

Paved: 45,461 km Unpaved: 106,583 km

Airport Runways• Total: 208

Paved: 73

Unpaved: 135

Jeddah: a post-modern camel

TECHNOLOGYTECHNOLOGY Television Television

TV Antennas Still in Use• A survey by Arab Advisors Group, “Saudi Arabia Media Survey

2007,” reveals that terrestrial TV still has a good base in Saudi Arabia with 48.4% of households stating that they tune into it. However, 93.9% of households own a satellite dish. – 73.7% of people in Saudi Arabia also listen to radio programs, with over

half of the listeners tuning into radio shows on a daily basis.

• In regards to what people watch on TV, the audience of news programs spans all age groups, but peaks with older age groups. – A larger percentage of the younger generation watch game and contest

shows, as well as fashion and music shows. – Those who had higher education levels mostly tuned into political

shows. High school and university level students mostly tuned into sports, health and fitness programs.

TECHNOLOGYTECHNOLOGY Handheld Handheld DevicesDevices

Handheld Device Shipments Down• The worldwide handheld device market slumped further at the close of 2006,

despite several notable vendors posting seasonal increases in shipments. According to IDC’s Worldwide Handheld QView, vendors shipped 5.5 million units in 2006, down 28.5% from the 7.6 million units shipped in 2005. For the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2006, vendors shipped a total of 1.5 million units, or 35.9% less than the 2.3 million units shipped during 4Q05. Looking ahead, IDC expects this downward trend to continue in 2007.

• “The handheld devices market is under intense pressure from networked mobile devices,” said Ramon Llamas, research analyst with IDC’s Mobile Devices Technology and Trends team. “Features found on handheld devices, including personal information management (PIM) functionality, multimedia, and Bluetooth connectivity have also been included on converged mobile devices (commonly known as smartphones) and high-end phones. The proliferation of notebook computers with embedded wireless WiFi has also allowed users to remain connected while on the go, further reducing the demand for handheld devices. Finally, GPS devices have gained momentum in the marketplace, and also negatively impacted handheld devices.”

ECONOMY TRENDSECONOMY TRENDS• “Saudi Arabia possesses 25% of the world's proven

petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings.”

• Saudi Arabia ranks 73rd out of 229 countries in GDP per capita at $13,800.

– In comparison to the US at 9th with a GDP of $43,500.

• “The government is encouraging private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population. The government is promoting private sector and foreign participation in the power generation, telecom, natural gas, and petrochemical industries.” Source: CIA Fact book

Jeddah: souq - meeting the pan merchant

POLITICAL TRENDSPOLITICAL TRENDS

• The Holy Qur'an is the constitution of the country, which is governed on the basis of Islamic law and There are no political parties or national elections.

• The kingdom is divided into 13 provinces governed by princes or close relatives of the royal family. All governors are appointed by the King.

• They have many human rights problems, including; severe restrictions on the freedoms of speech, press, peaceful assembly and association, religion, denial of the right of citizens to change their government, systematic discrimination against women and ethnic and religious minorities, and suppression of workers' rights.

YEMENYEMEN

YEMENYEMEN

• Area: 527,970 sq km (slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming)

• Population: 21.5 million (2005 est.)– 41.42 people/ sq. km

• Political System: Republic

• Other: Poorest country in the middle east.

Source: CIA Fact book

ECONOMIC DATAECONOMIC DATAGDP (Purchasing Power Parity) $20.38 Billion

EXCHANGE RATE 1 US dollar= $197.467 Yemeni Rials (2006est.)

SECTORAL DISTRIBUTION Agriculture: 12.5%Industry: 43.8%

Services: 43.7% (2006 est.)

PER CAPITA INCOME In Countries Currency (Yemeni Rials): $900

(2006 est.)

GENDER DISTRIBUTION OF WORKFORCE

6 million workers:72%(M)28%(F)

Source: CIA fact book

SOCIAL/CULTURAL FACTORSSOCIAL/CULTURAL FACTORS

• Language: Arabic• Age Distribution:

– 0-14=46.4%– 15-64=51%– 65 and up=2.6%

• Fertility Rate: 6.58 children born/woman (2006 est.)

• Life Expectancy: – 60.23yrs.(M)– 64.11yrs.(F)– Total=62.12 yrs

• Years of Mandatory Schooling: 8.8 years

• Adult Literacy: (age 15 and over can read & write) – 73.5%(M)– 25%(F)– Total=50.2%

• Ethnic Groups:– Predominately Arab; but also

Afro-Arab, South Asians, Europeans

• Major Religions:– Muslim including Shaf'i (Sunni)

and Zaydi (Shi'a)– Small # of Jews– Christian– Hindu

Source: CIA Fact book

SOCIAL TRENDS/ ISSUESSOCIAL TRENDS/ ISSUES

• FGM ( Female Genital Mutilation) – [Pregnant] women who have undergone this

process will be treated by a Caesarean and death of the babies born to such mothers is almost 50% (www.wethewomen.org)

• Soap Operas

• AIDS and other STDs

TECHNOLOGYTECHNOLOGY Internet Internet

• Internet Hosts for Yemen: 171

• Internet Hosts for United States: 195,138,696

• Internet Users for Yemen: 220,000

• Internet Users for United States: 1,018,057,389

TECHNOLOGYTECHNOLOGY Language Language BarriersBarriers

• “r u going 2 da movies. r u in? bring ur gr8

camera.” • A British Council report last year revealed

that non-native English speakers now

outnumber native speakers 3 to 1. • Not only does that make English the most

global language, it also gives wide space for inventing new variances in the language.

TECHNOLOGYTECHNOLOGY TransportationTransportation

Roadways• Total: 71,300 km

Paved: 6,200 km Unpaved: 65,100 km

Airport Runways• Total: 46 Paved: 16 Unpaved: 30

ECONOMIC TRENDSECONOMIC TRENDS

• Yemen had an estimated inflation rate of 14.80% in 2006. The US had an inflation rate 2.50% in comparison.

• Per Capita of $900 ranking 220th of 229

• Currently Yemen is “struggling to control excessive spending and rampant corruption” in its government.

Source: CIA Fact book

POLITICAL TRENDSPOLITICAL TRENDS

• Yemen has been in political unrest for hundreds of years with many small political groups trying to take control with the use of force.

• Yemen is the only democratic country on the Arabian peninsula.

• North and South Yemen unite in 1990 and create their first constitution in 1991.

REFERENCE PAGEREFERENCE PAGE

• Background note: Saudi Arabia. US Department of State. Available at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3584.htm Accessed on February 9, 2007.

• Culture. Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington DC (2006). Available at: http://www.saudiembassy.net/Country/Culture/Cul.asp Accessed on February 19, 2007.

• Elham,M. (1998) YEMEN, THE TRIBE AND THE STATE. Available at: http://www.al-bab.com/yemen/soc/manea1.htm Accessed on February 12, 2007.

• English:a language facing technological challenge: Me speak English, you no English? Yemen Times (2006). Available at: http://yementimes.com/page.shtml?i=938&p=view Accessed on February 14, 2007.

• Female Genital Mutilation, a Grotesque Trend in Yemen. We the Women (2007). Available at: http://www.wethewomen.org/entry/female-genital-mutilation-a-grotesque-trend-in-yemen/ Accessed on February 18, 2007.

• Hanley, Delinda C. "Empowering Saudi Arabian women.(Diplomatic Doings)(Saudi Arabian Princess Loulwa Al-Faisal)." Washington Report on Middle East Affairs 24.7 (Sept-Oct 2005): 73(2). InfoTrac OneFile. Thomson Gale. Oakland University. 20 Feb. 2007

REFERENCE PAGE cont...REFERENCE PAGE cont...• Immunization Profile - Saudi Arabia. World Health Organization (2006). Available

at: http://www.who.int/vaccines/globalsummary/immunization/countryprofileresult.cfm Accessed on February 17, 2007.

• Lenovo Latest Tech Firm in Formula One. Arab Times (2007). Available at: http://www.arabnews.com/?page=11&section=0&article=92100&d=13&m=2&y=2007 Accessed on February 14, 2007.

• Saudi Arabia. Euromonitor International: World Marketing Data and Statistics for Oakland University Available at: http://www.euromonitor.com.huaryu.kl.oakland.edu/womdas/default.asp Accessed on February 18, 2007.

• Saudi Arabia. CIA Fact book (2007). Available at: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sa.html Accessed on February 10, 2007.

• Timeline: Yemen. BBC News (2007). Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/1706450.stm Accessed on February 14, 2007.

• Yemen. CIA Fact book (2007). Available at: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ym.html Accessed on February 10, 2007.

PHOTO’S REFERENCE PAGEPHOTO’S REFERENCE PAGE

• Images of Saudi Arabia. Available at: http://www.travel-images.com/saudiarabia.html Accessed on February 20, 2007.

• Yemen Hajarin (Mountain) Image. Available at: http://wikitravel.org/en/Image:Hajarin.jpg Accessed on February 20, 2007.

• Yemen. (1996) Available at: http://www.jorgetutor.com/yemen/yemen.htm Accessed on February 20, 2007.