Riyadh Map

Description:

Description:

Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, serving as the country's financial, administrative, and cultural hub. Located in the central region of the Arabian Peninsula, it has transformed from a small walled city into a modern metropolis with a population exceeding 7.6 million people, making it the most populous city in Saudi Arabia.

The city's name comes from the Arabic word "rawdah," meaning gardens or meadows. Founded in 1737, Riyadh became the capital of Saudi Arabia in 1932 when King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud established the modern kingdom. The city experienced rapid growth and modernization during the oil boom of the 1970s, which dramatically transformed its landscape from a traditional desert town to a contemporary urban center.

Among the city's most notable landmarks is the Kingdom Centre, a 99-story skyscraper featuring a distinctive hole at its top, and the Al-Masmak Fortress, a clay and mud-brick fort that played a crucial role in the city's history. The National Museum and King Abdulaziz Historical Center showcase the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia, while the Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site, preserves the original seat of the Saudi royal family.

Riyadh's economy is primarily based on its role as the country's administrative center and financial hub. The city hosts the headquarters of numerous banks, companies, and government institutions. The King Khalid International Airport serves as a major aviation hub for the region, handling millions of passengers annually.

The climate in Riyadh is characterized by hot desert conditions, with summer temperatures often exceeding 110°F (43°C) and mild winters. The city receives minimal rainfall, averaging only about 4 inches (100mm) annually. Despite these harsh conditions, modern infrastructure and technology have made the city highly livable, with extensive air conditioning systems and water management facilities.

Riyadh Metro Map

Riyadh Metro Map

The Riyadh Metro is a rapid transit system opening in 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The $22.5 billion project is one of the largest in the world. The network consists of six lines with a total length of 176 kilometers and includes 85 stations.

Riyadh Metro was inaugurated by King Salman on November 27, 2024. The metro, which includes lines 1, 4 and 6, opened on December 1, 2024. Lines 2 and 5 were opened two weeks later, on December 15, and the last line, Line 3, will open in January 2025. On December 11, 2024, it was reported that 1.9 million people became passengers in the first week of the subway's operation.

Construction began in April 2014 under the supervision of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC). The metro system features state-of-the-art technology, including driverless trains manufactured by major companies such as Siemens, Bombardier, and Alstom. The entire network is expected to have a daily capacity of 3.6 million passengers.

The six lines are color-coded: Blue Line (First Line), Red Line (Second Line), Orange Line (Third Line), Yellow Line (Fourth Line), Green Line (Fifth Line), and Purple Line (Sixth Line). The Blue Line, running north-south, is the longest at 38 kilometers. The network includes several interchange stations connecting multiple lines, with four major stations featuring unique architectural designs.

The metro system incorporates advanced features including platform screen doors, full automation (GoA4), and air-conditioned stations. The trains are designed to cope with Riyadh's harsh climate, with temperatures frequently exceeding 40°C (104°F). The project aims to reduce traffic congestion, cut vehicle emissions, and serve as a catalyst for economic development in Saudi Arabia's capital city.

The Riyadh Metro will be integrated with a bus network of 4,000 stops. The system represents an important step in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan, which aims to reduce the country's dependence on oil and diversify its economy.