Here are 10 lesser-known or "secret" facts about Saudi Arabia that most people outside the region may not know:
1. It Has Snow in Some Areas
• While most think of Saudi Arabia as all desert, it snows in the north—especially in places like Tabuk, near the Jordanian border.
2. There's a Hidden “Stonehenge”
• Al Naslaa Rock Formation in Tayma looks like it’s been sliced perfectly in half, creating wild theories. Its origin is still debated—natural erosion vs ancient technology?
3. The Country Has an Underwater “Atlantis”
• Farasan Islands in the Red Sea are home to sunken ancient cities and shipwrecks, some yet to be fully explored.
4. It Has an Official “City of Witches”
• Al Ula’s old town is sometimes referred to as the “City of Witches” due to its abandoned mud houses and eerie legends.
5. There’s a Place Where Mobile Phones Don’t Work
• Parts of the vast Empty Quarter (Rub’ al Khali) desert are so remote that there's no signal, no roads, and no modern infrastructure—just sand dunes for days.
6. It’s Home to the Oldest Known Human Footprint in Arabia
• Found near Tabuk, this footprint is 85,000 years old, offering insight into ancient human migration routes.
7. Women Could Ride Camels but Not Drive (Until 2018)
• Women rode camels for centuries, but driving cars was only legally allowed starting in June 2018—a major shift in Saudi social norms.
8. There’s a City That’s Entirely Off-Limits to Non-Muslims
• Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, is strictly for Muslims only. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the city’s holy limits.
9. It Has Lava Fields Like Iceland
• Known as “Harrat Khaybar”, Saudi Arabia has huge lava fields (called harrats) with ancient volcanic craters and black rock landscapes.
10. It’s Planning a Futuristic, Car-Free City
• NEOM, a $500 billion megaproject, includes “The Line”, a linear city with no roads or cars, powered by 100% renewable energy.