Transport in Saudi Arabia

Transport in Saudi Arabia
Map of the Saudi Arabian transportation network from the 2000 CIA World Factbook
Map of the Saudi Arabian transportation network from the 2000 CIA World Factbook
Overview
Native nameنظام النقل بالمملكة العربية السعودية
OwnerMinistry of Transport
Area served Saudi Arabia
Chief executiveSaleh bin Naser al-Jaser
(as Minister)
HeadquartersRiyadh
Websitehttps://www.mot.gov.sa/en
Operation
Operator(s)Ministry of Transport

Transport in Saudi Arabia is facilitated through a relatively young system of roads, railways and seaways. Most of the network started construction after the discovery of oil in the Eastern Province in 1952, with the notable exception of Highway 40, which was built to connect the capital Riyadh to the economically productive Eastern Province, and later to the Islamic holy city of Mecca and the port city of Jeddah. With the economic growth of the 1970s, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has initiated many infrastructure development projects across the country, and the extensive development of the transportation network has followed suit in support of various economic developments.