From the Original Overview at the Air Force Air University, http://tuvok.au.af.mil/au/database/projects/ay1995/acsc/95-002/chap3/sauovr.htm
Chapter 3: Persian Gulf, Arabian Peninsula
Saudi Arabia: Overview
Facts
/ Geography, Climate / Cities
/ Posture Statement Excerpt
Leadership
/ System Essentials / Infrastructure
/ Population / Fielded Forces
/ Table of Contents
Over 95% of Saudi Arabia is arid desert and the country has no rivers or permanent bodies of water. There are rugged mountains in the southwest with the highest peak measuring 3,133 meters.
Saudi Arabia has a hot desert climate except for the Asir Province which has the kingdom's only reliable precipitation rate. Coastal cities are subject to high humidity and inland, temperatures may rise to above 118 degrees F in the summer. During the winter in the northwest, freezing temperatures are not uncommon.
The largest and most influential nation on the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia is strategically located between the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. It contains Islam's two most holy sites and the world's largest petroleum producing infrastructure. A stalwart friend and long-time ally of the United States, the Kingdom is recognized as the key to regional security. This relationship was underlined once again in October 1994, when U.S. forces deployed to the Kingdom in response to threatening moves by Iraq. The Saudis are now assuming an expanded, more active role in world affairs, evidenced by their contributions to the international relief effort in Somalia and their continuing financial support for rebuilding the infrastructure in Lebanon following the Taif agreement.
A traditional leader in the region, Saudi Arabia strives to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East, and contributes much to the well-being of fellow Arab countries by underwriting the annual Haj and financing other Arab initiatives. Looking outside the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia is cautiously establishing diplomatic relations with the former Soviet Republics in Central Asia and the newly created democratic states of Eastern Europe.
The U.S.-Saudi military-to-military relationship continues to mature, and includes the largest Foreign Military Sales program in the world, financed by the Kingdom. Legitimate defense requirements of the Saudis are being met, U.S. national interests supported, and regional security enhanced, through these necessary arms sales. We continue military-to-military discussions with the Saudis in our ongoing effort to solidify our security arrangements.