SAUDI ARABIA:
Saudi Arabia has a lot to offer its visitors, though it is culturally different from most Western countries, it is this richness in culture, religion and tradition that gives the country its uniqueness. Saudi Arabia has great respect in their beliefs and customs and they truly value their religion. A truly cosmopolitan country with a wide range of nationalities now living there including a large Expat community with families living in beautiful compounds with International Schools and an unrivalled sense of community. This country is developing and growing daily and provides fantastic career and lifestyle opportunities to all nationalities.
RIYADH:
Riyadh, which lies in the Central Region, is the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and now rivals any modern city in the world in the splendor of its architecture. Broad highways sweep through the city, passing over or under each other in an impressive and still growing road network. Trees now bedeck the broad streets and avenues, giving pleasure to passers-by and shade to those who linger beneath them. Today the city extends for some 600 square miles (1600 square kilometers) and has a population of more than 3 million.
The name Riyadh is derived from the Arabic word meaning a place of gardens and trees ("rawdah"). With many wadis (a former water course, now dry) in the vicinity, Riyadh has been since antiquity a fertile area set in the heartland of the Arabian peninsula.
Of all the Kingdom's developmental achievements, Riyadh is perhaps the most obvious and accessible to the foreign visitor. From the moment he lands at the King Khalid International Airport, itself a marvel of design combining the traditional Arab style with the best of modern architecture together with spacious practicality, the traveller is aware that he has reached a city that must be counted one of the wonders of modern times.
It is probably true that 99% of the people who come to live and work in Saudi Arabia choose to do so largely for cultural, professional and financial reasons. Saudi Arabia does provide many western expatriates with a wonderful opportunity to earn tax free income with accommodation, education, car and more paid for.. In due course most expatriates find that they can actually save a considerable amount whilst enjoying living in this multi-cultural city.
There are various Western compounds which are luxury, gated, secure and beautiful property developments with some only open to non-Arabs. Within these compounds there are a vast array of entertainment options from golf to shops to horseriding to the cinema, a range of schools including International, British & American schools and they have a strong sense of community & security for Westerners. Most employers will offer an accommodation allowance as part of the package which will allow you to live with your family in these desirable locations. There can be a waiting list so please talk to us about putting your name down after you have successfully completed your first interview stage... Just in case!
Example of a luxury compound: www.agr.com.sa
JEDDAH:
Jeddah is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia, after Riyadh. It is one of the most modern cities with a stunning reef filled coastline. Jeddah is an industrial and active commercial centre, with modern features, squares and courtyards. Arabic is the official language, both written and spoken, although English is very widely used and most road signs, etc. are bilingual
The ambient temperature is warm all year round. The height of summer is hot (to say the least), with official temperatures of 45°C being registered. Humidity all year is usually very low unlike some very hot cities.
The Corniche is a highlight of Jeddah and is a modern, beautiful and very interesting area to visit and enjoy. This subtle masterpiece of civil engineering has changed the coastline of 30 years ago beyond recognition. Out in the middle of nowhere, yet there is 60km of tarmac road with pavements and picnic spots hugging the coastline, with the desert attempting to claim back its own by occasional wandering sand dunes. From the roundabout near the US Consulate on Al Andalus Street to the junction of Palestine Street, the Corniche (O7) becomes an open air exhibition of sculpture and then, in the evenings, the beach is given over to quad bikes, donkey rides for children and horse drawn carriages decorated with glowing lights. At dusk and on through the evening, the Corniche takes on a whole different character - families gather to picnic, play ball games, ride bicycles and splash in the surf. A jibber jabber of music, neon lights and delighted squeals of children at play.
King Fahd Fountain is located inside the Red Sea, near the coast, which is an outstanding feature of the port of Jeddah particularly during the night when it sends beautiful coloured water up to two hundred and sixty meters.
Like a British seaside town, the collection of fun fair parks sits quietly during the day, preparing for an evening of razzle dazzle and entertainment for families. There are restaurants such as the superb Green Island set on stilts over the reef. Jeddah is known as the dream destination for keen SCUBA divers for its extensive stretches of coral reef.
Such is the scale of choice of shopping in Jeddah that, at the last count, there were some 75 shopping centres - a combination of covered and strip malls of differing size and standard, with new ones materialising on the shoppers' horizon as fast as they can be built. There are also hundreds of restaurants, ranging from the elegant to the casual, the budget-blowing to those that only just manage to use up those piles of loose change.
JUBAIL:
Jubail is one of the top developing and expanding areas in Saudi Arabia. It consists of the Old Town of Al Jubail, which was originally a small fishing village, and since 1975 the new industrial area has been developed. This area is Saudi Arabia’s and the world's biggest industrial centre, host to more than 160 industrial enterprises and home to almost 170,000 full-time residents. It stands as a symbol of the government's vision of Saudi Arabia's future development.
The Picnic Zone is situated to the West of the industrial zone and covers an area of 204 kilometers. To the residents of the city it is an invaluable recreation area. It encompasses verdant sites, playgrounds and facilities for water sports. The zone is set among abundant trees and rare plants.
Al-Batwah Island is affiliated with Jubail Industrial city. It is a picnic site with a park and a zoo and also features plant nurseries, fishing sites and a marina.
AL KHOBAR:
Al Khobar forms a closely joined triangle with Dammam and Dhahran in the Eastern Province. In the past, Al Khobar was a small port on the Arabian Gulf, inhabited mainly by fishermen. With the discovery of oil, it was transformed into a major commercial and shopping center and, secondarily, an industrial port. Along with its industrial port, the city still serves small ships carrying passengers and goods.
A must visit place in Al Khobar is the 25 kilometers long bridge called the King Fahd Causeway. Probably the most spectacular road construction project of all, it connects the Saudi Arabian mainland with the island of Bahrain. A man-made island at the midway point of the causeway provides fantastic views of the surrounding ocean.
Traditionally, Al Khobar has also been a city of shopkeepers and merchants, and the city today boasts numerous modern malls and boulevards with internationally-recognized franchise shops and eating places. In addition to first-class shopping malls, plazas and supermarkets, Al-Khobar boasts exquisite tourist spots, entertainment centers, and a lush, widespread beach. The waterfront has been transformed and extended along the Persian Gulf into a scenic Beirut-like corniche with parks, eateries, and family beaches.
The modern city of Al Khobar is a flourishing centre of international trade, with many examples of both contemporary Arabic and Western architecture.
Al Khobar offers various beaches and gardens where visitors can come and spend some quality time. The prominent among these are Sunset Beach, Al-Azizia Beach and Half Moon Bay. One must also take a round of the King Fahd Coastal Town as it consists of zoological and botanical gardens.
During the summer months, the daily temperature is a lovely 300C, extending up to 400C during August. From November to April the temperatures drop slightly and this is the best time to live outdoors and enjoy the sea.
DAMMAM:
Dammam was originally a small community. After 1930s Dammam began to be modernized and now is the capital of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in the Eastern Province and the third largest in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh and Jeddah.
Dammam stretches into the other two important cities of Al-Khobar and Dhahran forming a closely joined triangle. Dammam Port is the largest on the Persian Gulf.
King Fahad's Park is located between the cities of Dammam and Dhahran on the highway, north of the Gulf Palace. It covers an area of 1,120 million square meters and is one of the largest parks in the region, providing entertainment in the form of a number of artificial lakes, green spaces, large waterfalls, fountains and children's play.
The Dammam Corniche forms part of a large seaside project stretching from Aziziah Beach to Tarot Island and is a popular attraction locally. Families come to admire the modern art installations, to picnic along the seafront or to participate in the water sports offered at the beach clubs. Shaped as a half moon, the placid beauty of sea water and the sandy coast of the Half Moon beach is an ideal venue to rejuvenate away from the busy and noisy cities.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:
The UAE comprises of seven emirates:
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharja, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
The capital of the country is the city of Abu Dhabi. The total area of the country is about 83,600 sq km, much of it in the Abu Dhabi emirate.
The UAE has 700 kilometers of coastline, of which 100 kilometers are on the Gulf of Oman. Along the Arabian Gulf coast, there are offshore islands, coral reefs and “sabkha”, or salt marshes. Stretches of gravel plain and sandy desert characterize the inland region. On the east, a range of mountains lies close to the Gulf of Oman and forms a backbone through the Mussandam Peninsula. The western interior of the country, primarily in Dubai, consists mainly of desert interspersed with oases.
DUBAI:
Dubai, with an area of 3,885 sq km, is the second largest emirate. It is situated on the banks of the Dubai Creek, a natural inlet from the Gulf, which in turn divides the city into the Deira district to its north and Bur Dubai to its south.
Dubai’s recently has been founded on its pearl diving, gold trading and economic importance mainly due to its strategic geographical location situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean with its sea and air links to countries in the Gulf region, Africa and the Far East.
Dubai continues its vigorous development and construction continues at a breathtaking pace with more cranes operating per square foot than anywhere else in the world. Indeed it is hard to imagine how any city could be developed so quickly in such a short time and interesting to contemplate what Dubai will look like in five or ten years time.
Despite the development and progress of Dubai into one of the most urbanized and modern cities in the world, the local population remains firmly conscious of their heritage, legacy and culture. The late President of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan once famously said “A country that knows not its past has neither present nor future” and that phrase adequately describes the Emirates of today.
The people of the UAE are familiar with and extremely proud of their history and therefore it is a solid base on which to build their future. Arabic qualities of traditional family values and respect, hospitality to all, religious tolerance and pride in their ancestral traditions remain among the most prized assets among local people in all spheres of Emirati society. People visiting Dubai cannot fail to be other than impressed with the overwhelming and friendly welcome they receive.
Climate
During the winter months (October to March), the days are sunny and pleasant with an average temperature of 26C (79F) and the nights are cool with an average temperature of 15C (59F). Temperatures range between 38C-48C (100F-118F) during the day and drop to 26C-30C (79F-86F) during the night in the summer months (April to September). Fortunately, all buildings and vehicles are air-conditioned.
Population
Approximately 80% of Dubai’s population is expatriates from various countries who are attracted by the tax-free working conditions, the booming economy and the relaxed, relatively crime-free lifestyle.
Taxes
There are no personal taxes in the UAE. There are neither social charges nor income taxes to pay on employee’s wages; the employer makes no payment either. Alcohol, on the other hand, is taxed 30% in authorised stores.
ABU DHABI:
Abu Dhabi has been described by various sources as “the richest city in the world”. Sunny weather, tranquil beaches, lush oases, vibrant city life, and a mixture of culture and traditions come together to create an experience like no other. Explore the emirate’s old souqs, sip a fragrant Arabic coffee, ride the dunes on an exhilarating desert safari, or dive into a dazzling marine life - there is something for everyone in Abu Dhabi.
Traditional and cosmopolitan, Abu Dhabi's many shopping venues and locales reflect the Emirate's nature. Abu Dhabi is home to many of the world’s top prestigious brand names, as well as a central market place for local and regional artisans producing high quality arts and craft.
Abu Dhabi has grown to be a cosmopolitan metropolis. Its rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the relatively high average income of its population, has transformed Abu Dhabi, making the city more advanced than most other Arab cities.
Today the city is the country's center of political, industrial activities, and a major cultural, and commercial centre due to its position as the capital.
Abu Dhabi is known in the region for its greenery; the former desert strip today includes over 20 well-maintained parks and gardens and more than 400 km of coastline, of which 10 km are public beaches. Khalifa Park is the best park by far, built at a cost of $50 million. It has its own aquarium, museum, train, play parks and formal gardens.
DOHA:
In the 19th Century, Doha was little more than a pearl fishing village. The discovery of oil spurred its phenomenal growth. Doha is now the capital of Qatar and Qatar's largest city, with over 80% of the nation's population residing in Doha or its surrounding suburbs. It is also the economic center of the country.
Doha relishes in the hot climate with rain being a very scarce occurrence. During cool, winter nights the temperature still does not drop below 70C.
Doha is home to a number of sports stadiums, many of which were renovated in preparation for the 15th Asian Games, held in December 2006. There are many other sporting construction projects in progress including the Wall Stadium – the world’s largest underground stadium.
The Heritage Village is located on Doha's Corniche, next to Al Bidda Park, and showcases traditional Qatari life. It is a mockup of a traditional Qatari village. Not a desert camp, but a seaside settlement, complete with well, nets and even a Dhow permanently under repair. During festivals and special occasions, this heritage village becomes a hive of activity. During the afternoon the almost forgotten crafts of weaving and wickerwork are taken up, and during the evening music and dancing take place.
The most attractive area in Doha is its Corniche or seafront. A walk way stretches along the startling blue water of Doha's bay, decorated with statues, flowers beds and fountains. Along the corniche there are several clubs which allow guests over the age of 21 to enter, and are great to go out too. Large organized parties are also monthly events in Doha, with several worldwide DJs coming to Doha.
Doha has some small but pleasant parks, the biggest and best of which is Rumeila Park. Most of Qatar's parks now also have wireless internet (WIFI).
With the enormous culture mash a city with an 80% immigrant population enjoys, there is a huge range of food available from around the world.
BAHRAIN:
Bahrain is a small, cosmopolitan and Westernised island country in the Persian Gulf. It is linked to Saudi Arabia via the King Fahd Causeway. There is a planned a Qatar Bahrain Causeway which will link Bahrain and Qatar as the longest fixed link in the world.
The Lonely Planet describes Bahrain as "an excellent introduction to the Persian Gulf”, because of its authentic Arab heritage and reputation of being liberal and modern. While Islam is the main religion, Bahrainis have been known for their tolerance, and Churches, Hindu temples, Sikh Gurdwara and a Jewish synagogue can be found alongside mosques. The country is home to several communities that have faced persecution elsewhere.
Bahrain has relatively liberal laws regarding alcohol and has long been a favourite getaway for visitors from Saudi Arabia and other nearby "dry" countries.
Due to the hot summers, water sports are extremely popular in Bahrain, with tourists and locals indulging in their sport of choice all year round in the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf. Sailing and scuba diving are particularly popular.
CAIRO:
Cairo is vast, with more than 17 million people; it's the largest city in Africa and the Middle East and among the world's most densely populated cities. You can take a walk through Al Azhar Park though and will be surprised to find such a vast green oasis in the midst of the madness that is Cairo.
Cairo has bundles of history preserved in the fabulous medieval Islamic city and Coptic sites in Old Cairo. Visits to the Giza Pyramids, and to the nearby Saqqara Pyramid Complex are very popular. Though firmly attached to the past, Cairo is also home to a vibrant modern society. The Midan Tahrir area situated in downtown Cairo has strived to be a "Paris on the Nile". There are also a number of more modern suburbs including Ma'adi and Heliopolis, while Zamalek is a quiet area on Gezira Island, more Western and with upscale shopping.
Citystars is Egypt’s premier shopping mall. It offers international brands and food chains as well as a cinema and amusement park. The Khan Al-Khalili is a busy market sited within the very centre of Islamic Cairo and full of colourful, rather fragrant spices.
Cairo is even livelier at night than it is during the day, and the Cairenes have always known how to enjoy themselves. The fun goes on for as long as you can stand the pace and even though most places wind down around 0300 or 0400, you will still find some that are open 24 hours. Wednesdays and Thursdays are the days for the big nights out.
