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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Seen by a Diplomat’s Spouse
have reserved for your study are brought to you. This is
a miracle, beyond one’s wildest dreams!
The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is
exceedingly keen on preserving the history of the country.
Therefore, it allocates huge sums in the budget to be
spent on the redesigning of historical monuments, the
establishment of museums and the organizing of research
expeditions that acquaint the new Saudi generations with
their history and make them proud of this secure country.
In Riyadh today, in addition to Al-Masmak Citadel, there
is the architectural museum, the National Museum and the
“Deirah”, the old city, and the “murabba’”, which is an
integrated establishment of official buildings that include
King Abdulaziz Palace.
Following the discovery of the first reserves of oil, in
the thirties of the last century, the King of the Great State,
who has a lofty stature and large family, issued a directive
providing for the need to establish a special compound of
buildings to accommodate the official establishments and
members of his family. During the year 1936, a plot of
land was chosen to the then north of the city, outside the
border of the citadel wall, and within two years the building
thereof was completed. The buildings were constructed in
accordance with the traditional style of local stone and the
walls were cemented with mud, while the roofs were made
of bamboo and palm tree branches. As to the Al-Masmak
Citadel, where the governing family had lived since 1902,
and from which it administered the state, it was emptied
and transformed later on into a museum.
The King lived in the “Murabba’” till his last days.
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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Seen by a Diplomat’s Spouse
Here was the royal court and the headquarters of the
Official Guards. Official business was conducted there,
and there also the King received heads of state, leaders
and prominent personalities. It was here that the King
cultivated his diplomatic talent and took the important
decisions that have later on led to the constant development
and prosperity of the Kingdom. Now, the “Murabba’”
which, together with the heart of the huge city, are
surrounded by modern buildings, has been transformed
into a museum wherein are carefully kept all that existed
in the life of the Monarch. Saudis cherish the memory of
their founder king and appreciate his successful efforts
and great accomplishments that benefited the country.
The plots of land in the city are municipal lands and
private lands. Hence, one can find between the built
districts empty spaces of land designated for construction
that are owned by some persons who are waiting for the
opportunity to erect buildings thereon. However, the city
is being built under the strict supervision of the competent
authorities. If one consults the Riyadh plan, one finds it
akin to a paper from a mathematics notebook.
The roads are mostly wide and straight, intercrossing
and linking residential areas that are alike. Spacious cross-
roads reflect clear and comfortable plans and an ideal
system of traffic. The authorities in Riyadh were kind
enough to give the name of Azerbaijan to one of the streets
of the capital in honor of our country. I should point out, in
passing, that Azerbaijan has been so far the only member
of the Commonwealth of the newly independent states to
be so honored. The Azerbaijan two-way street is half a
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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Seen by a Diplomat’s Spouse
kilometer long and 20 meters in width and is situated in a
new luxurious area. The newly built modern style villas,
which have ever green trees that are planted along the
street, have made our street a beautiful part of the city.
In Riyadh, as in the other cities of the Kingdom,
there prevails the system of division into sectors, which
is, in my view, very convenient and appropriate for the
accommodation of foreigners who arrive in the country,
seeking employment, pursuant to contracts concluded
with countries of different habits and culture. These
sectors represent independent blocks surrounded by
walls in the shape of fences. They are divided into areas
ranging between one and several hundred hectares where
everything needed for a natural and comfortable life is
provided. This, in essence, is a city within a city.
Here live the newcomers, depending on their financial
ability to rent a flat or a fully furnished and equipped villa.
Other buildings are designated for celebrations, commercial
stores, centers and facilities for public services.
In the large compounds, there are deep and shallow
swimming pools with diving planks a few meters high, and
other accessories, particularly for children. There are also
sauna facilities, tennis playgrounds, golf grounds, shaded
paths, restaurants, cafés, meeting halls, public libraries,
massage rooms, super markets, kindergartens and even
schools. Here various seminars and training courses
are organized, together with artistic hobbies in which
adults and children can engage in drawing, sculpting and
embroidery activities under the supervision of specialized
trainers. Other activities include language studies, all
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