Riyadh

Riyadh is a sprawling city of 6.5 million, located slightly east of the center of the country, The capital city of the kingdom which means “Garden”, because of the vast quantity of water, which reaches it as result of its ideal location on the southern bank of the Hanifah valley.

Only a hundred years ago, Riyadh was a dusty walled town of under 20,000 people surrounded by palm groves, fertile wadis, and a number of small villages.

The modern business districts of Olaya and Suleimaniyah, containing most offices and better hotels, are to the north of Makkah Rd. Here Riyadh's two skyscrapers serve as Faisaliah Tower is towards the southern end of Olaya, while Kingdom Centre is at the northern end. Both are located between King Fahd Rd and the parallel thoroughfare of Olaya Rd, which is Riyadh's main upscale shopping strip.

The historical core of Riyadh is to the south of Makkah Rd.

The district of al-Murabba hosts the sprawling grounds of the King Abdul Aziz International Museum and the Murabba Palace. Further south yet is Al-Deira, centered on Al-Sa'ah Square, which has traditional markets , the Masmak Fortress.

Climate

Summer temperatures regularly exceed 45°C, while winter temperatures can fall to just above zero. Summer evenings are generally tolerable and one even encounters the occasional cool breeze, especially on the outskirts of town.

Riyadh's King Khaled Airport ( RUH)

Is located about 35 km north of the city. A large, architecturally striking structure in white and desert brown.

There are three terminals in use, with Terminal 1 used by international carriers, Terminal 2 for Saudi Arabian Airlines international flights, and Terminal 3 for all domestic flights.

The terminals are right next to each other and are connected at the arrivals level, so transfers involve lugging your stuff for a few hundred meters .