Top5 Weird Facts About Saudi Arabia That Will Shock You

In this article we will explore some weird facts about Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the world without any rivers, covering over 2.1 million square kilometers, which is similar to the size of Western Europe. Despite its vast land area, there are no permanent rivers or lakes with flowing fresh water. The entire country is mostly desert or semi-desert, and any rain that falls either evaporates quickly or seeps into the ground. Despite this, It has some weird facts that we will know today. So let’s begin.

5) Women Not Driving

One of the weird facts about Saudi Arabia is that Saudi Arabia banned women from driving until 2018, making it the last country to allow women to drive. The ban lasted for decades, and women who attempted to drive were arrested. Due to growing international pressure, the ban was lifted in June 2018, allowing women to drive legally for the first time. This change occurred under Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman as part of broader social reforms. In the same year, women also received driving licenses.

4) Ban Cinemas

One of the weird facts about Saudi Arabia is that Saudi Arabia closed all its cinemas in 1983, enforcing a ban that lasted for 35 years, resulting in no movies or commercial cinemas in the country. In 2018, the ban was lifted as part of broader social reforms, including granting women the right to drive. The first cinema reopened in Riyadh in April 2018, and tickets sold out quickly.

Currently, Saudi Arabia boasts hundreds of cinemas, and its film market is expanding faster than almost anywhere else globally. The rapid transformation from 35 years without cinemas to one of the fastest-growing cinema markets is remarkable.

3) Women Rights

One of the weird facts about Saudi Arabia is that in Saudi Arabia, women need permission from a male guardian, such as a father or husband, to travel alone. This rule is based on the belief that women must be protected from immoral acts, which limits their freedom of movement. In terms of gender equality, Saudi Arabia ranks 134 out of 145 countries. All women, regardless of their age, need a male guardian’s permission for various activities, including getting married, divorced, traveling, going to school, finding a job, opening a bank account, or having elective surgery.

2) Women Voting

One of the weird facts about Saudi Arabia is that as of 2015, women made up only 13% of the workforce in the country. Previously, women were not allowed to vote or hold political office, but King Abdullah permitted women to vote in local elections and to be elected to the consultative assembly starting in 2015. There is also a dedicated police unit for enforcing these regulations concerning women’s rights.

1) Magic

One of the weird facts about Saudi Arabia is that magic is illegal and considered a capital offense, with some individuals facing beheading for such accusations. A special police unit has been created to target those practicing magic, illustrating that even popular works like Harry Potter are banned in the country. Since 2009, over 500 people have been prosecuted for magic, and the legal system gives judges wide discretion to determine guilt and punishment.