Riyadh, Capital city in central Saudi Arabia
The city sits on the Najd plateau at 612 meters and spreads across the desert landscape, with modern glass towers and older neighborhoods built from pale stone. Wide roads connect the different zones, which are interrupted by open expanses and occasional palm oases.
Dahham ibn Dawwas founded the fortified settlement in 1746 at the edge of the desert. From 1932, it became the capital of Saudi Arabia and quickly grew beyond its old walls.
At Souq al-Zal, locals shop for spices, dates, and textiles following a rhythm that has barely changed in decades. In cafés and restaurants around Boulevard Riyadh, families gather in the evening to eat together, and the streets grow livelier after sunset.
The metro system has six lines connecting different parts of town and makes travel considerably easier. Summers are extremely hot, so the cooler months between November and March are better suited for walking the streets and exploring outdoor spaces.
Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University is the largest women-only institution in the world and occupies a campus of 8 square kilometers. Thousands of students move daily between buildings connected by their own automated rail system.
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