Riyadh#Vernacular architecture of Old Riyadh

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During the Pre-Islamic era, the city at the site of modern Riyadh was called Hajr ({{langx|ar|حجر}}), and was reportedly founded by the tribe of Banu Hanifa.{{sfn|Sonbol|2012|p=99}}{{Cite web |title=al-hakawati - Riyadh |url=http://al-hakawati.net/en_civilizations/CivilizationDetails/17147/Riyadh |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=al-hakawati.net}} Hajr served as the capital of the province of Al-Yamamah, whose governors were responsible for most of central and eastern Arabia during the Umayyad and Abbasid eras. Al-Yamamah broke away from the Abbasid Empire in 866 and the area fell under the rule of the Ukhaydhirites, who moved the capital from Hajr to nearby Al-Kharj. The city then went into a long period of decline. In the 14th century, North African traveler Ibn Battuta wrote of his visit to Hajr, describing it as "the main city of Al-Yamamah, and its name is Hajr". Ibn Battuta goes on to describe it as a city of canals and trees with most of its inhabitants belonging to the Bani Hanifa, and reports that he continued on with their leader to Mecca to perform the Hajj.

Later on, Hajr broke up into several separate settlements and estates. The most notable of these were Migrin (or Muqrin) and Mi'kal, though the name Hajr continued to appear in local folk poetry. The earliest known reference to the area by the name Riyadh comes from a 17th-century chronicler reporting on an event from the year 1590. In 1737, Deham ibn Dawwas, a refugee from neighboring Manfuha, took control of Riyadh.{{sfn|Cybriwsky|2013|p=258}} Ibn Dawwas built a single wall to encircle the various oasis towns in the area, making them effectively a single fortress city. The name "Riyadh", meaning "gardens" refers to these earlier oasis towns.{{sfn|Al-Oteibi|1993|p=163}}

The capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, was initially known for its availability of water and fertile land which made it ideal for farming dates and other crops. Wheat was also widely grown until the crops were infested with insects and mites. After Riyadh was designated as the capital in the mid-1900s, Riyadh became a manufacturing hub. Almost one-third of Saudi Arabia's factories are located in Riyadh, producing a range of products including machinery, equipment, metallurgical goods, chemicals, construction materials, food, textiles, furniture, and numerous publications.{{cite web |last1=U4SSC |title=Riyadh, Saudi Arabia factsheet|url=http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/ssc/united/Documents/U4SSC%20Publications/Factsheets/Factsheet_Riyadh_Saudi-Arabia.pdf}}{{Failed verification|date=February 2025}}

File:1922 map Riyadh by Philby.png]]

In 1745, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab formed an alliance with Muhammad ibn Saud, the ruler of the nearby town of Diriyah.{{Cite web |title=منطقة الدرعية القديمة |url=http://urbplandep.alriyadh.gov.sa/ara/art.asp?id=21 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150828172447/http://urbplandep.alriyadh.gov.sa/ara/art.asp?id=21 |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=alriyadh.gov.sa |language=ar |archive-date=28 August 2015 |url-status=dead }} Ibn Saud then set out to conquer the surrounding region with the goal of bringing it under the rule of a single Islamic state. Ibn Dawwas of Riyadh led the most determined resistance, allied with forces from Al Kharj, Al Ahsa, and the Banu Yam clan of Najran. However, Ibn Dawwas fled and Riyadh capitulated to the Saudis in 1774, ending long years of wars, and leading to the declaration of the First Saudi State, with Diriyah as its capital.{{sfn|Cybriwsky|2013|p=258}}

The First Saudi State was ended by forces sent by Muhammad Ali of Egypt, acting on behalf of the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman forces razed the Saudi capital Diriyah in 1818.{{sfn|Cybriwsky|2013|p=258}} They had maintained a garrison at Najd. This marked the decline of the House of Saud for a short time.{{sfn|Farsy|1990|p=14}} Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad became the first Amir of the Second Saudi State; the cousin of Saud bin Saud, he ruled for 19 years till 1834, leading to the consolidation of the area though they were notionally under the control of Muhammad Ali, the Viceroy of Egypt.{{sfn|Farsy|1990|p=14}} In 1823, Turki ibn Abdallah chose Riyadh as the new capital.{{cite book|title=The Report: Saudi Arabia 2008|year = 2008|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gMPjxHzG1xQC&pg=PA208|publisher=Oxford Business Group|isbn=978-1-902339-00-9|page=208}} Following the assassination of Turki in 1834, his eldest son Faisal killed the assassin, took control of the capital, and refused to be controlled by the Viceroy of Egypt. Najd was then invaded, and Faisal was taken captive and held in Cairo. However, as Egypt became independent of the Ottoman Empire, Faisal escaped after five years of incarceration, returned to Najd, and resumed his reign, ruling until 1865 and consolidating the reign of the House of Saud.{{sfn|Farsy|1990|p=14}}

Following the death of Faisal, there was rivalry among his sons which situation was exploited by Muhammad bin Rashid who took most of Najd, signed a treaty with the Ottomans, and also captured Hasa in 1871. In 1889, Abdul Rahman bin Faisal, the third son of Faisal again regained control over Najd and ruled till 1891, whereafter the control was regained by Muhammad bin Raschid.{{sfn|Farsy|1990|p=14}}

Internecine struggles between Turki's grandsons led to the fall of the Second Saudi State in 1891 at the hand of the rival Al Rashid clan, which ruled from the northern city of Ha'il. The al-Masmak fort dates from that period.

Abdul Rahman bin Faisal al-Saud had sought refuge among a tribal community on the outskirts of Najd and then went to Kuwait with his family and stayed in exile. However, his son Abdul Aziz retrieved his ancestral kingdom of Najd in 1902 and consolidated his rule by 1926, and further expanded his kingdom to cover "most of the Arabian Peninsula."{{sfn|Farsy|1990|p=15}} He named his kingdom as Saudi Arabia in September 1932{{sfn|Farsy|1990|p=15}} with Riyadh as the capital.{{sfn|Facey|1992|p=271}} King Abdul Aziz died in 1953 and his son Saud took control as per the established succession rule of father to son from the time Muhammad bin Saud had established the Saud rule in 1727. However, this established line of succession was broken when King Saud was succeeded by his brother King Faisal in 1964. In 1975, Faisal was succeeded by his brother King Khalid. In 1982, King Fahd took the reins from his brother. This new line of succession is among the sons of King Abdul Aziz who has 35 sons; this large family of Ibn Saud hold all key positions in the large kingdom.{{sfn|Farsy|1990|p=15}}

File:Workers breaking old city walls of Riyadh.jpg in 1950 was a prelude to the expansion and modernization of the city.]]

From the 1940s, Riyadh mushroomed from a relatively narrow, spatially isolated town into a spacious metropolis.{{sfn|Elsheshtawy|2008|p=124}} When King Saud came to power, he made it his objective to modernize Riyadh, and began developing Annasriyyah, the royal residential district, in 1950.{{sfn|Elsheshtawy|2008|p=124}} Following the example of American cities, new settlements and entire neighborhoods were created on grid plans, and connected by high-capacity main roads to the inner areas. The grid pattern in the city was introduced in 1953.{{sfn|Elsheshtawy|2008|p=124}} The population growth of the town from 1974 to 1992 averaged 8.2 percent per year.

On 16 November 1983, King Khalid International Airport was officially opened by King Fahd, in memory to the late King Khalid. It remains the biggest airport in the world at nearly 300 sq miles to date.

Al-Qaeda under Osama bin Laden launched coordinated attacks on compounds in Riyadh on 12 May 2003, resulting in the deaths of 39 people. The bombings were considered to be a terrorism campaign against Western influence in Saudi Arabia.

In 2010, the first Saudi capital Diriyah, on the northwestern outskirts of Riyadh was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The mayor is Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz al-Muqrin. Al-Muqrin was appointed in 2019 by royal decree{{cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1590146/saudi-arabia |title=Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz appointed as Riyadh mayor by royal decree |website=Arab News | date=27 November 2019}} and succeeds Tariq bin Abdul Aziz Al-Faris. Riyadh is now the administrative and to a great extent the commercial hub of the Kingdom. According to the Saudi Real Estate Companion, most large companies in the country established either sole headquarters or a large office in the city.{{Cite book|url=https://www.amazon.com/Saudi-Real-Estate-Companion-Essential-ebook/dp/B01DTNO0SC|title=Saudi Real Estate Companion: Essential Real Estate Skills for the Saudi Arabian Market|last1=Mueller|first1=H. E.|last2=Williams|first2=A. D.|date=4 April 2016|publisher=Booktango|language=en}} For this reason, there has been significant growth in high-rise developments in all areas of the city. Most notable among these is King Abdullah Financial District which is fast becoming the key business hub in the city.{{cite news|url=http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-43069-interserve-mena-chief-hopeful-of-saudi-fms-growth/|title=Interserve MENA chief hopeful of Saudi FM's growth {{!}} ConstructionWeekOnline.com|last=Bhatia|first=Neha|newspaper=Construction Week Online|date=15 February 2017 |access-date=30 May 2017}} Riyadh also has the largest all-female university in the world, the Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University.{{cite web|last=Miller|first=David|title=Saudi Arabia opens world's largest women's university|url=http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=220949|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=13 March 2011 |access-date=17 January 2012}}

According to the Global Financial Centres Index, Riyadh ranked at 77 in 2016–2017. Though the rank moved up to 69 in 2018, diversification in the economy of the capital is required in order to avoid what the World Bank called a "looming poverty crisis" brought on by lingering low oil prices and rich state benefits.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/21/saudi-arabia-is-backsliding-in-effort-to-build-global-financial-center.html|title=Saudi Arabia is stumbling in its efforts to build a global financial center|date=21 August 2018|publisher=CNBC|access-date=21 August 2018}}

Since 2017, Riyadh has been the target of missiles from Yemen.{{cite news |last1=Almosawa |first1=Shuaib |first2=Anna |last2=Barnard |date=4 November 2017 |title=Saudis Intercept Missile Fired From Yemen That Came Close to Riyadh |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/04/world/middleeast/missile-saudi-arabia-riyadh.html |work=The New York Times |location=United States |access-date=9 May 2018 }}
{{cite news |author= |agency=Associated Press |title=Yemeni rebel ballistic missile targeting Riyadh intercepted, Saudi forces say |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saudi-forces-intercept-ballistic-missile-targeting-riyadh-houthis/ |work=CBS News |location=United States |date=11 April 2018 |access-date=9 May 2018 }} In March 2018, one person died as a result of a missile attack.{{cite news |author= |title=Saudi Arabia: Houthi missile attack kills Egyptian in Riyadh |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/yemen-houthi-rebels-fire-ballistic-missile-riyadh-180325211734660.html |work=Al Jazeera |location=Qatar |date=26 March 2018 |access-date=9 May 2018 }} The number of missiles which targeted Riyadh are a small portion of the dozens of missiles fired from Yemen at Saudi Arabia due to the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen.{{cite news |author= |agency=Associated Press |title=Loud booms in Saudi Arabia's capital as military intercepts missiles from Yemen: report |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/loud-booms-in-saudi-arabias-capital-as-military-intercepts-missiles-from-yemen-report |work=Fox News |location=United States |date=9 May 2018 |access-date=9 May 2018 }} In April 2018, heavy gunfire was heard in Khozama;{{cite news |author= |title=Saudi forces shoot down 'toy drone' near royal palace |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/saudi-gunfire-police-shoot-toy-drone-royal-palace-180421201413596.html |work=Al Jazeera |date=21 April 2018 |access-date=23 May 2018 }}
{{cite news |first1=Kareem |last1=Fahim |first2=Loveday |last2=Morris |title=After rare gunfire in Saudi capital, officials say they shot down a toy drone |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/after-rare-gunfire-in-saudi-capital-officials-say-they-shot-down-a-toy-drone/2018/04/21/c736c60a-459d-11e8-b2dc-b0a403e4720a_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=21 May 2018 |access-date=23 May 2018 }}
{{cite news |first1=Rania |last1=El Gamal |first2=Stephen |last2=Kalin |title=Saudi security shoots down recreational drone near royal palace |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-security/saudi-security-shoots-down-recreational-drone-near-royal-palace-idUSKBN1HS0PZ |work=Reuters|date=21 April 2018 |access-date=23 May 2018 }} this led to rumors of a coup attempt.{{cite news |first1=Sonam |last1=Sheth |first2=Michelle |last2=Mark |title=Confusion erupts after a 'small, drone-type' object was apparently shot down near the king's palace in Saudi Arabia |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-arabia-king-evacuated-gunfire-riyadh-2018-4?r=UK&IR=T |work=Business Insider |date=22 April 2018 |access-date=23 May 2018 }}
{{cite news |first=Mina |last=Aldroubi |title=Saudi Arabia dismisses rumours of coup attempt |url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/saudi-arabia-dismisses-rumours-of-coup-attempt-1.723754 |work=The National |date=22 April 2018 |access-date=23 May 2018 }}
{{cite news |first=Megan |last=Specia |title=Saudi Arabia Says Toy Drone Shot Down in Capital Riyadh |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/21/world/saudi-drone-riyadh.html |work=The New York Times |date=21 April 2018 |access-date=23 May 2018 }}

A restoration of heritage buildings of historical significance was launched in Riyadh by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on 13 September 2020.

File:Lake at Wadi Hanifah (5218227168).jpg|Lake at the 120 km long Wadi Hanifa valley that cuts through Riyadh

File:King Abdullah Financial District 184701.jpg|King Abdullah Financial District

File:Saudi-desert.gif|The An Nafud desert on the outskirts of Riyadh with the Jabal Tuwaiq in the background

Historical Riyadh was enclosed by walls. At its center was a town square and a market (souq), surrounded by residential quarters of mosques and adobe homes, each with an interior courtyard. Outside its walls were orchards of date trees, hence the name 'Riyadh' or 'gardens'. During the 1930s, there was an initial outward expansion because new administrative buildings were needed for the country and because the population was growing. According to Dr. Saleh Al Hathloul, former deputy minister of town planning, this era coincided with the period of sedentarization as nomads settled in and around towns and cities such as Riyadh.{{Cite journal |last1=Al-Hathloul |first1=Saleh |last2=Edadan |first2=Narayanan |date=1993-01-01 |title=Evolution of settlement pattern in Saudi Arabia: A historical analysis |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/019739759390027A |journal=Habitat International |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=31–46 |doi=10.1016/0197-3975(93)90027-A |issn=0197-3975|url-access=subscription }}

When commercial oil production began, there was a rapid rise in the rate of urbanization and the city transitioned from traditional to newer houses and buildings. This included the railway station and the (now-defunct) first airport of Riyadh. Government departments were relocated from Jeddah to Riyadh and new ministry buildings were built. To accommodate the government employees who had moved in from Jeddah, the government developed the Malaz housing block. This block's layout was influenced by the layouts of Dammam and Khobar, which in turn were influenced by the Aramco-built Dhahran.{{Cite journal |last=Almogren |first=Faisal |date=2023 |title=City-Building Practices in Riyadh, A Case of Master Planning from the Gulf |url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0348823m |journal=UC Berkeley Electronic Theses and Dissertations}} Malaz, with its street grid and detached house type, was instrumental in shaping the master plans for Riyadh that followed, as per Dr. Saleh Al Hathloul.{{Cite journal |last=Alhathloul |first=Saleh |title=The evolution of urban and regional planning in saudi arabia |url=https://www.academia.edu/88462888 |journal=The Evolution of Urban and Regional Planning in Saudi Arabia}}

The Department of Municipal Affairs (later Ministry of Municipalities and Housing) selected Doxiadis Associates (DA) in 1968 to prepare a masterplan for Riyadh. After preliminary studies, they submitted a plan that was approved in 1972. They proposed that Riyadh will expand in the north-south axis along a commercial spine with and most importantly, that it will be divided into neighborhoods of 2 × 2 km blocks, thus solidifying the grid pattern to be the defining feature of Riyadh's layout. It also maintains the style of housing that was prominent in Malaz, detached houses with setbacks, designed in what Dr. Saleh Al Hathloul identifies as an 'international Mediterranean' style i.e. crimson colors.{{Cite web |title=Riyadh Architecture in One Hundred Years |url=https://www.csbe.org/riyadh-architecture-in-one-hundred-years-1 |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Center for the Study of the Built Environment |language=en-US}} However, DA's shortcomings lay in their inability to accurately predict the extent of Riyadh's future growth.

At the start of the 70s, Riyadh did not go much beyond what is today the Khurais road. But nearing the 80s, Riyadh's expansion had already reached the Northern Ring Road in the north and had made considerable progress in the eastern part of the city.

In 1974, the government founded the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh (later Royal Commission for Riyadh City) which was headed by the then governor of Riyadh Province, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, who oversaw Riyadh's development.{{Cite web |date=2017-12-21 |title=How King Salman built a capital for the 21st century |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1212686 |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Arab News |language=en}} With the economic growth and national development plans of the 70s, the national infrastructure consisting of electricity grids, telecommunications networks, water pipelines, and highways was laid down that made further urban growth possible. The old and new industrial cities of Riyadh were both founded in this period.

The city grew at a much faster rate than Doxiadis Associates had projected and very soon, their plan became obsolete. DA predicted that Riyadh's urban area would be 304 km² in 30 years when it reached 400 km² just four years after the plan was authorized. Therefore, SCET International was assigned to revise and update the original plan to reflect the drastic growth and offer adaptive measures, which were approved in 1982. While keeping the 2km x 2km block, they expanded it in all directions unlike DA's linear expansion. They also added the radial ring roads and altered the DA conception of how commercial and other zones should be distributed.

It was in the 80s and 90s that most of the buildings that defined Riyadh's urban identity were constructed. Built in styles contemporary of that time, marble with a hint of desert beige, these included the King Khalid International Airport, King Fahd Stadium, Television tower, King Saud University new campus, the King Faisal Foundation, the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MOMRA, and Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud university. And the historical district was rebuilt with the National Museum, Qasr AlHukm district, and the Imam Turki bin Abdullah mosque. Numerous health facilities were founded as well. Other developments in this period included the opening of the first shopping centers and supermarkets.

Approaching the 2000s, Riyadh had expanded well beyond the Northern Ring Road in the north and had reached the Second Ring Road in the east.

The MEDSTAR (metropolitan development strategy for Arriyadh) was the strategy that directed urban development in this era. Since the SCET plan also turned out to underestimate the rate of growth, a continuous approach instead of a one-off plan was adopted. The MEDSTAR was not a long term plan but an ongoing strategy on managing urban growth and economic development in the city. It was initiated after comprehensive studies by the Arriyadh Development Authority (the high commission's research wing) on demographics, land use, transportation, security, environment, and traffic safety. In 2007, MEDSTAR won second place in the international award for liveable communities.{{Cite web |title=Livcom Awards : 2007 Results |url=https://livcomawards.com/previous-winners/2007-results.htm |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=livcomawards.com}} One of the MEDSTAR strategies was balanced development by turning Riyadh into a polycentric city rather than having one single downtown. [Riyadh: The Metamorphosis of a City From Centerless to Polycentric Fernando Perez,] This has resulted in there being multiple hubs scattered around the city such as Olaya, KAFD, Sahafa, Granada, Business Gate, Digital City, and Hittin.

Riyadh's skyline arose along the King Fahd Road starting in the 2000s. Significant construction projects like the Riyadh metro and the Princess Noura University, the world's largest women's university, were undertaken. Most malls and hypermarkets opened in this era and became a feature of city life. The municipality added wide sidewalks to a number of streets which became popular spots for walking, and parks were built in many neighborhoods. Major roads were redesigned, such as the King Fahd road, King Abdullah Road, Abu Bakr Al Siddiq road, and Oruba road, transforming the look of the city.{{Cite web |title=Abi Bakr Al-Siddiq Road Project. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.idom.com/en/project/road-riyadh-abi-bakr/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=IDOM |language=en-US}} In addition, the Royal Commission rehabilitated the Wadi Hanifa wetlands.{{Cite web |date=2015-10-16 |title=Wadi Hanifah Comprehensive Development Plan {{!}} Landscape Performance Series |url=https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/wadi-hanifah-comprehensive-development-plan |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=www.landscapeperformance.org |language=en}}

At the onset of the 2020s, Riyadh's expansion had gone further ahead of the King Salman Road in the north and had reached the Janadriyah road in the east.

Vision 2030 has stated its objective for Saudi cities to reach the list of top 100 cities of the world in quality of life{{Cite web |date=2023-03-14 |title=Saudi Arabia aims to have three cities in the top 100 global cities for quality of life |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/saudi-arabia-aims-to-have-three-cities-in-the-top-100-global-cities-for-quality-of-life-1.94459966 |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}} and the city is working towards this goal through new development investments.{{Cite web |date=2019-11-20 |title=Fahd Al-Rasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1587321/saudi-arabia |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Arab News |language=en}} Every year, the number of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia and Riyadh increases.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-20 |title=Saudi Arabia's inbound tourists surge 142% to 14.2m in H1 2023 |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2428971/business-economy |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Arab News |language=en}} In the large empty area where the old airport once was, the world's largest urban park, King Salman Park is being constructed, with leisure, residential, office, hospitality, and retail spaces.{{Cite web |title=King Salman Park {{!}} Riyadh's Largest Urban Park and Green District |url=https://omrania.com/project/king-salman-park/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Omrania |language=en-US}} The historical city of Diriyah, now encompassed by Riyadh, has been restored and developed into a cultural and tourist destination. Many roads and streets, such as the Olaya street and the Imam Saud road, are being refurbished.

Fewer malls are opening and squares (or plazas) are taking over in popularity, the most popular having been the Riyadh Boulevard on the Prince Turki Al Awwal Road. A new downtown called 'New Murabba' at the intersection of the King Salman and King Khaled roads is planned.

New fully residential suburbs, unlike regular neighborhoods that have storefront-lined main streets, are under construction in the far north and far east of the city.{{Cite web |title=التطوير العقاري {{!}} NHC الوطنية للاسكان |url=https://beta.nhc.sa/ar/real-estate-development/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=beta.nhc.sa |language=ar}}

Riyadh has a hot desert climate (Köppen Climate Classification BWh), with long, extremely hot summers and short, very mild winters. The average high temperature in July is {{convert|43.9|C|F}}. If not for its elevation Riyadh would experience an even hotter climate. The city experiences very little precipitation, especially during the summer, but receives a fair amount of rain in March and April. It is also known to have dust storms during which the dust can be so thick that visibility is under {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}. On 1 and 2 April 2015, a massive dust storm hit Riyadh, causing the suspension of classes in many schools in the area and the cancellation of hundreds of flights, both domestic and international.

{{Weather box

| location = Riyadh Old (1991-2020)

| metric first = 1

| single line = 1

| Jan record high C = 31.5

| Feb record high C = 34.8

| Mar record high C = 38.0

| Apr record high C = 42.0

| May record high C = 45.1

| Jun record high C = 47.2

| Jul record high C = 48.1

| Aug record high C = 47.8

| Sep record high C = 45.0

| Oct record high C = 41.0

| Nov record high C = 38.0

| Dec record high C = 31.0

| Jan high C = 20.1

| Feb high C = 23.6

| Mar high C = 27.8

| Apr high C = 33.6

| May high C = 39.4

| Jun high C = 42.7

| Jul high C = 43.4

| Aug high C = 43.6

| Sep high C = 40.4

| Oct high C = 35.2

| Nov high C = 27.5

| Dec high C = 22.2

| year high C = 33.3

| Jan mean C = 14.6

| Feb mean C = 17.5

| Mar mean C = 21.5

| Apr mean C = 27.2

| May mean C = 33.0

| Jun mean C = 36.0

| Jul mean C = 36.8

| Aug mean C = 36.9

| Sep mean C = 33.7

| Oct mean C = 28.5

| Nov mean C = 21.4

| Dec mean C = 16.4

| year mean C = 26.9

| Jan low C = 9.2

| Feb low C = 11.5

| Mar low C = 15.2

| Apr low C = 20.7

| May low C = 26.1

| Jun low C = 28.4

| Jul low C = 29.4

| Aug low C = 29.5

| Sep low C = 26.2

| Oct low C = 21.3

| Nov low C = 15.5

| Dec low C = 10.8

| year low C = 20.3

| Jan record low C = -2.3

| Feb record low C = -0.3

| Mar record low C = 4.5

| Apr record low C = 11.0

| May record low C = 18.0

| Jun record low C = 21.1

| Jul record low C = 23.6

| Aug record low C = 22.7

| Sep record low C = 16.1

| Oct record low C = 14.0

| Nov record low C = 7.0

| Dec record low C = 1.4

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 15.4

| Feb precipitation mm = 6.1

| Mar precipitation mm = 21.1

| Apr precipitation mm = 24.3

| May precipitation mm = 5.4

| Jun precipitation mm = 0.0

| Jul precipitation mm = 0.0

| Aug precipitation mm = 0.5

| Sep precipitation mm = 0.0

| Oct precipitation mm = 1.0

| Nov precipitation mm = 11.4

| Dec precipitation mm = 14.7

| year precipitation mm = 99.9

| unit precipitation days = 1 mm

| Jan precipitation days = 2.1

| Feb precipitation days = 1.0

| Mar precipitation days = 2.7

| Apr precipitation days = 3.4

| May precipitation days = 0.8

| Jun precipitation days = 0.0

| Jul precipitation days = 0.0

| Aug precipitation days = 0.1

| Sep precipitation days = 0.0

| Oct precipitation days = 0.3

| Nov precipitation days = 1.7

| Dec precipitation days = 1.9

| year precipitation days = 13.9

| Jan humidity = 47

| Feb humidity = 36

| Mar humidity = 32

| Apr humidity = 28

| May humidity = 17

| Jun humidity = 11

| Jul humidity = 10

| Aug humidity = 12

| Sep humidity = 14

| Oct humidity = 20

| Nov humidity = 36

| Dec humidity = 45

| year humidity = 26

| Jan dew point C = 2

| Feb dew point C = 1

| Mar dew point C = 2

| Apr dew point C = 4

| May dew point C = 3

| Jun dew point C = -1

| Jul dew point C = 0

| Aug dew point C = 2

| Sep dew point C = 2

| Oct dew point C = 2

| Nov dew point C = 4

| Dec dew point C = 3

| Jan sun = 212.4

| Feb sun = 226.6

| Mar sun = 219.8

| Apr sun = 242.3

| May sun = 287.7

| Jun sun = 328.2

| Jul sun = 332.1

| Aug sun = 309.2

| Sep sun = 271.6

| Oct sun = 311.4

| Nov sun = 269.2

| Dec sun = 214.3

| Jan uv = 3

| Feb uv = 7

| Mar uv = 9

| Apr uv = 11

| May uv = 12

| Jun uv = 13

| Jul uv = 13

| Aug uv = 12

| Sep uv = 11

| Oct uv = 8

| Nov uv = 6

| Dec uv = 3

| Jan percentsun = 63

| Feb percentsun = 71

| Mar percentsun = 59

| Apr percentsun = 63

| May percentsun = 70

| Jun percentsun = 80

| Jul percentsun = 80

| Aug percentsun = 77

| Sep percentsun = 74

| Oct percentsun = 87

| Nov percentsun = 82

| Dec percentsun = 65

| year percentsun = 72

|source 1 =NOAA,{{cite web

| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/SaudiArabia/CSV/RiyadhOld_40438.csv

| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020: Riyadh Old | publisher = National centers for Environmental Information

| access-date = 2 August 2023}} Jeddah Regional Climate Center{{cite web | url = http://jrcc.sa/climate_data_observatory_sa.php

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161211044841/http://jrcc.sa/climate_data_observatory_sa.php|title=Climate Data for Saudi Arabia |publisher=Jeddah Regional Climate Center |access-date=29 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 December 2016 }}

| source 2 = Time and Date (dewpoints, 1985-2015){{cite web

|url = https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/saudi-arabia/riyadh/climate

|title = Climate & Weather Averages in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

|publisher = Time and Date

|access-date = 11 January 2022}}

| source =

}}

{{Weather box

| location = Riyadh New (1991-2020)

| single line = yes

| metric first = yes

| Jan record high C = 33.0

| Feb record high C = 34.5

| Mar record high C = 38.3

| Apr record high C = 42.0

| May record high C = 46.0

| Jun record high C = 47.5

| Jul record high C = 48.4

| Aug record high C = 48.8

| Sep record high C = 46.8

| Oct record high C = 42.5

| Nov record high C = 37.0

| Dec record high C = 32.7

| Jan high C = 20.7

| Feb high C = 23.7

| Mar high C = 28.0

| Apr high C = 33.6

| May high C = 39.5

| Jun high C = 42.8

| Jul high C = 43.9

| Aug high C = 43.8

| Sep high C = 40.9

| Oct high C = 35.5

| Nov high C = 27.4

| Dec high C = 22.3

| year high C = 33.5

| Jan mean C = 14.0

| Feb mean C = 16.7

| Mar mean C = 21.0

| Apr mean C = 26.4

| May mean C = 32.2

| Jun mean C = 35.2

| Jul mean C = 36.3

| Aug mean C = 36.0

| Sep mean C = 32.8

| Oct mean C = 27.5

| Nov mean C = 20.4

| Dec mean C = 15.4

| year mean C = 26.2

| Jan low C = 7.6

| Feb low C = 9.9

| Mar low C = 13.8

| Apr low C = 19.1

| May low C = 24.1

| Jun low C = 26.1

| Jul low C = 27.3

| Aug low C = 27.0

| Sep low C = 23.7

| Oct low C = 18.9

| Nov low C = 13.6

| Dec low C = 9.1

| year low C = 18.3

| Jan record low C = -5.4

| Feb record low C = -3.3

| Mar record low C = 2.1

| Apr record low C = 8.9

| May record low C = 14.0

| Jun record low C = 19.8

| Jul record low C = 20.0

| Aug record low C = 20.0

| Sep record low C = 14.4

| Oct record low C = 8.9

| Nov record low C = 4.5

| Dec record low C = -2.0

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 14.8

| Feb precipitation mm = 8.3

| Mar precipitation mm = 19.9

| Apr precipitation mm = 23.7

| May precipitation mm = 5.7

| Jun precipitation mm = 0.0

| Jul precipitation mm = 0.0

| Aug precipitation mm = 0.0

| Sep precipitation mm = 0.0

| Oct precipitation mm = 1.5

| Nov precipitation mm = 20.1

| Dec precipitation mm = 13.5

| year precipitation mm = 107.6

| unit precipitation days = 1 mm

| Jan precipitation days = 1.7

| Feb precipitation days = 1.5

| Mar precipitation days = 2.6

| Apr precipitation days = 3.7

| May precipitation days = 0.9

| Jun precipitation days = 0.0

| Jul precipitation days = 0.0

| Aug precipitation days = 0.0

| Sep precipitation days = 0.0

| Oct precipitation days = 0.4

| Nov precipitation days = 2.5

| Dec precipitation days = 1.7

| year precipitation days = 14.9

|source 1 =NOAA{{cite web

| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/4.4/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/SaudiArabia/CSV/RiyadhNew_40437.csv

| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020: Riyadh Old | publisher = National centers for Environmental Information

| access-date = 2 August 2023}}

|source 2 = Pogodaiklimat.ru (extremes){{cite web |url=http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate4/40437.htm |title=Climate Riyadh |access-date=16 May 2019 |work=Pogoda.ru.net |archive-date=28 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828041104/http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate4/47058.htm |url-status=live }}}}

File:Riyadh Skyline.jpg

File:Dira Square.JPG]]

Riyadh is divided into fourteen branch municipalities,{{cite web|url=https://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/en/riyadh/riyadhmunic/Pages/home.aspx|title=Interactive Map of Riyadh's branch municipalities|publisher=Riyadh Municipal Government|language=ar}} in addition to the Diplomatic Quarter. Each branch municipality in turn contains several districts, amounting to over 130 in total, though some districts are divided between more than one branch municipality. The branch municipalities are Al-Shemaysi, Irqah, Al-Ma'athar, Al-Olayya, Al-Aziziyya, Al-Malaz, Al-Selayy, Nemar, Al-Neseem, Al-Shifa, Al-'Urayja, Al-Bat'ha, Al-Ha'ir, Al-Rawdha, and Al-Shimal ("the North"). Olaya District is the commercial heart of the city,{{cite book|title=MEED|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8-NHAAAAYAAJ|year=2004|publisher=Economic East Economic Digest, Limited|page=4}} with accommodation, entertainment, dining and shopping options. The Kingdom Centre, Al Faisalyah, and Al-Tahlya Street are the area's most prominent landmarks. The center of the city, Al-Bathaa and Al-Deerah, is also its oldest part.

File:Riyadh 1337.jpg]]

File:Ministry of Finance, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.JPG]]

File:Incense souk in downtown Riyadh (12754047044).jpg

Some of the main districts of Riyadh are:

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Al-Bat'ha{{cite web|url=http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=1093|title=Al-Bat'ha|publisher=Riyadh Municipal Government|access-date=26 March 2011|archive-date=19 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219015542/http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=1093|url-status=dead}}
• Al-Deerah (old Riyadh)
• Mi'kal
• Manfuha
• Manfuha Al-Jadidah (منفوحة الجديدة – "new Manfuha")
• Al-'Oud
• Al-Mansorah
• Al-Margab
• Salam
• Jabrah
• Al-Yamamah
• 'Otayyigah
• Al-'Olayya & Sulaymaniyyah{{cite web|url=http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=303|title=Nemar|publisher=Riyadh Municipal Government|access-date=26 March 2011|archive-date=17 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317194741/http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=303|url-status=dead}}
• Al-'Olayya
• Al-Sulaymaniyyah
• Al Izdihar
• King Fahd District
• Al-Masif
• Al-Murooj
• Al-Mugharrazat
• Al-Wurood
• Nemar
• Nemar
• Dharat Nemar
• Tuwaiq
• Hazm
• Deerab
• Irqah
• Irqah
• Al-Khozama
• Diplomatic Quarter
• Al-Shemaysi{{cite web|url=http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/page.aspx?Type=8&PageObjectId=275|title=Al-Shemaysi|publisher=Riyadh Municipal Government|access-date=26 March 2011}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Al-Shemaysi
• Eleyshah
• Al-Badi'ah
• Syah
• Al-Nasriyyah
• Umm Sleym
• Al-Ma'athar
• Umm Al-Hamam (East)
• Al-Ma'athar{{cite web|url=http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=305|title=Al-Ma'athar|publisher=Riyadh Municipal Government|access-date=26 March 2011|archive-date=19 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219015720/http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=305|url-status=dead}}
• Al-Olayya
• Al-Nakheel
• King Saud University main campus
• Umm Al-Hamam (East)
• Umm Al-Hamam (West)
• Al-Ma'athar Al-Shimali ("North Ma'athar")
• Al-Rahmaniyya
• Al-Muhammadiyya
• Al-Ra'id
• Al-Ha'ir
• Al-Ha'ir
• Al-Ghannamiyyah
• Uraydh
• Al-'Aziziyyah{{cite web |url=http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=766 |title=Al-Aziziyya |publisher=Riyadh Municipal Government |access-date=26 March 2011 |archive-date=19 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219015740/http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=766 |url-status=dead }}
• Al Aziziyah (Riyadh)
• Ad Dar Al Baida
• Taybah
• Al Mansouriyah
• Al-Malaz{{cite web|url=http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=304|title=Al-Malaz|publisher=Riyadh Municipal Government|access-date=26 March 2011|archive-date=19 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219015714/http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=304|url-status=dead}}
• Al-Malaz
• Al-Rabwah
• Al-Rayyan
• Jarir
• Al-Murabba'
• Sinaiyah Qadeem
• Al-Shifa{{cite web|url=http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=1088|title=Al-Shifa|publisher=Riyadh Municipal Government|access-date=26 March 2011|archive-date=19 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219015529/http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=1088|url-status=dead}}
• Al-Masani'
• Al-Shifa
• Al-Mansuriyya
• Al-Marwah
• Al-Urayja{{cite web|url=http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=1314|title=Al-'Urayja|publisher=Riyadh Municipal Government|access-date=26 March 2011}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Al-Urayja
• Al-Urayja Al-Wusta ("Mid-Urayja")
• Al-Urayja (West)
• Shubra
• Dharat Laban
• Hijrat Laban
• As-Suwaidi
• As-Suwaidi (West)
• Dahrat Al-Badi'ah
• Sultanah
• Al-Shemal{{cite web|url=http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=1099|title=Al-Shemal|publisher=Riyadh Municipal Government|access-date=26 March 2011|archive-date=19 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219015557/http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=1099|url-status=dead}}
• Al-Malga
• Al-Sahafa
• Hittin
• Al-Wadi
• Al-Ghadir
• Al-Nafil
• Imam Muhammad ibn Saud University main campus
• Al-Qayrawan
• Al-Aqiq
• Al-Arid
• Al-Naseem{{cite web|url=http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=1080|title=Al-Naseem|publisher=Riyadh Municipal Government|access-date=26 March 2011|archive-date=17 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517013323/http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=1080|url-status=dead}}
• Al-Naseem (East)
• Al-Naseem (West)
• As-Salam
• Al-Manar
• Al-Rimayah
• Al-Nadheem
• Al-Rawdhah
• Al-Rawdhah
• Al-Qadisiyah
• Al-M'aizliyyah
• Al-Nahdhah
• Gharnatah (Granada)
• Qortubah (Cordoba)
• Al-Andalus (Andalusia)
• Al-Hamra
• Al-Qouds
• Al-Selayy{{cite web |url=http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=265 |title=Al-Selayy |publisher=Riyadh Municipal Government |access-date=26 March 2011 |archive-date=19 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219015656/http://www.alriyadh.gov.sa/amanat/web/pages/Page.aspx?Type=8&pageobjectid=265 |url-status=dead }}
• Al-Selayy
• Ad Difa'
• Al Iskan
• Khashm Al-'Aan
• Al-Sa'adah
• Al-Fayha
• Al-Manakh
• King Abdullah Financial District
• Diriyah (suburb of Riyadh)

{{Div col end}}

File:Riyadh population pyramid in 2010.svg

{{Historical populations

| percentages = pagr

|source = Census data,{{cite web |last1=GASTAT |title=2010 Census, 1992 Census |url=https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/13 |website=The General Authority for Statistics |date=17 December 2015 |access-date=6 February 2024 |archive-date=7 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907075332/https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/13 |url-status=dead }}{{cn|reason=further citation needed for other years|date=February 2024}}

|1918 |18000

|1924 |30000

|1944 |50000

|1952 |80000

|1960 |150000

|1972 |500000

|1978 |760000

|1987 |1389000

|1992 |3834986

|1997 |3100000

|2004 |4138329

|2009 |4873723

|2010 |6792776

|2013 |5899528

|2016 |6506700

|2017 |7676654

}}

In 2022, the city had over 7 million people.{{cite web |last1=USGS |title=Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center - Earthshots |url=Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center - Earthshots}} The city had a population of 40,000 inhabitants in 1935 and 83,000 in 1949.{{sfn|Elsheshtawy|2008|p=122}} The city has experienced very high rates of population growth, from 150,000 inhabitants in the 1960s to over seven million, according to the most recent sources. As of 2017, the population of Riyadh is composed of 64.19% Saudis, while non-Saudis account for 35.81% of the population. Indians are the largest minority population at 13.7%, followed by Pakistanis at 12.4%.{{cite web |title=Riyadh City |url=http://www.arriyadh.com/ar/AboutArriy/Content/getdocument.aspx?f=/openshare/ar/AboutArriy/Content/riyadhStat_1437.doc_cvt.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170327154442/http://www.arriyadh.com/ar/AboutArriy/Content/getdocument.aspx?f=/openshare/ar/AboutArriy/Content/riyadhStat_1437.doc_cvt.htm |url-status=dead |publisher=Saudi Arabia- Ministry of Interior |archive-date=27 March 2017 |access-date=25 May 2019 }}

The population is so high due to the doubled birth rates and the high economic growth. There was also an influx of immigrants.{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Riyadh |title=Riyadh | Population, Climate, Map, History, & Facts | Britannica }}

The old town of Riyadh within the city walls did not exceed an area of 1 km², and therefore very few significant architectural remnants of the original walled oasis town of Riyadh exist today. The most prominent is the Masmak fort and some parts of the original wall structure with its gate which have been restored and reconstructed. There are also a number of traditional mud-brick houses within these old limits, but they are for the most part dilapidated.

Expansion outside the city walls was slow to begin with, although there were some smaller oases and settlements surrounding Riyadh. The first major construction beyond the walls was King Abdulaziz's Murabba Palace. It was constructed in 1936, completed in 1938, and a household of 800 people moved into it in 1938. The palace is now part of a bigger complex called The King Abdulaziz Historical Centre.

There are other traditional villages and towns in the area around traditional Riyadh which the urban sprawl reached and encompasses. These include Diriyah, Manfuha and Wadi Laban. Unlike in the early days of development in Riyadh during which vernacular structures were razed to the ground without consideration, there is a new-found appreciation for traditional architecture. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage is making efforts to revitalize the historic architecture in Riyadh and other parts of the kingdom.{{cite web|url=http://www.scta.gov.sa/en/Pages/default.aspx|title=SCTH - default|work=scta.gov.sa|access-date=16 January 2014|archive-date=27 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227085905/https://www.scta.gov.sa/en/Pages/default.aspx|url-status=dead}}

;Ain Heet Cave

Ain Heet cave has an underground lake (150 meters deep) situated at the face of Mount Al Jubayl in Wadi As Sulay in a small village called Heet in Riyadh. Between Riyadh and Al Kharj road, it is one of the easily accessible caves in the area of Riyadh.

File:Murabba Palace.jpg

The archeological sites at Riyadh which are of historical importance, in which the Municipality of Riyadh is involved, are the five old gates on the old walls of Riyadh. These are the eastern gate of Thumaira, the northern gate of Al-Suwailen, the southern gate of Dukhna, the western gate of Al-Madhbah, and the south-western gate of Shumaisi. There are also four historic palaces: Musmak Palace, Murabba Palace (palace of King Abdul Aziz), Atiqah Palace (belongs to Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman) and Al Shamsiah Palace (belongs to Saud Al Kabeer).{{sfn|Farsy|1990|p=22}}

{{Main|Al-Turaif District}}

The Turaif district, is another important archeological site inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage List on 31 July 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1329/|title=At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|access-date=5 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.sauditourism.sa/en/ExploreKSA/AttractionSites/Diriyah/Pages/TuraifDistrict.aspx|title=Turaif District|website=www.sauditourism.sa|language=en-us|access-date=5 May 2019|archive-date=5 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505120257/https://www.sauditourism.sa/en/ExploreKSA/AttractionSites/Diriyah/Pages/TuraifDistrict.aspx|url-status=dead}} It was founded in the 15th century bearing an architectural style of Najdi.{{Cite web|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1418806/saudi-arabia|title=Al-Turaif: How Saudi Arabia is bolstering future tourism by reviving past treasures|date=11 December 2018|website=Arab News|language=en|access-date=5 May 2019}} There are some Historic palaces and monuments in Al-Turaif district include: Salwa Palace, Saad bin Saud Palace, The Guest House and At-Turaif Bath House, and Imam Mohammad bin Saud Mosque.{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldheritagesite.org/list/Turaif+Quarter|title=Turaif Quarter - World Heritage Site - Pictures, Info and Travel Reports|website=www.worldheritagesite.org|access-date=5 May 2019}}File:Masmak Fort (12753717253).jpg

{{Main|Masmak fort}}

This fortress was built around 1865 under the reign of Mohammed ibn Abdullah ibn Rasheed (1289-1315 AH), the ruler of Ha'il to the north, who had wrested control of the city from the rival clan of Al Saud. In January 1902 Ibn Saud, who was at the time living in exile in Kuwait, succeeded in capturing the Masmak fortress from its Rashid garrison. The event, which restored Saudi control over Riyadh, has acquired an almost mythical status in the history of Saudi Arabia. The story of the event is often retold and has as its central theme the heroism and bravery of King Abdulaziz al-Saud. The Masmak Fortress is now a museum and is in close proximity to the Clock Tower Square, also known to English-speaking residents as Chop Chop Square, referring to the capital punishment that takes place there.

{{Main|Kingdom Centre}}

Designed by the team of Ellerbe Becket and Omrania, the tower is built on 94,230 square meters of land. The Kingdom Centre is owned by a group of companies including Kingdom Holding Company, headed by Al-Waleed bin Talal, a prince of the Saudi royal family, and is the headquarters of the holding company. The project cost 2 billion Saudi Arabian Riyals and the contract was undertaken by El-Seif. The Kingdom Centre is the winner of the 2002 Emporis Skyscraper Award, selected as the "best new skyscraper of the year for design and functionality". A three-level shopping center, which also won a major design award, fills the east wing. The large opening is illuminated at night in continuously changing colors. The shopping center has a separate floor for women only to shop where men are not allowed to enter.

The Kingdom Tower has 99 stories and is the fifth tallest structure in the country, rising to 300 m. A special aspect of the tower is that it is divided into two parts in the last one-third of its height and is linked by a sky-bridge walkway, which provides extensive views of Riyadh.{{sfn|Jordan|2011|p=98}}

{{Main|Burj Rafal}}

Burj Rafal, located on King Fahd Road, is the tallest skyscraper in Riyadh at 307.9 meters (1,010 feet) tall. The tower was designed and engineered by P & T Group. Construction began in 2010 and was completed in 2014. The project was considered a success, with 70% of the residential units already sold by the time the skyscraper was topped out. The tower contained 474 residential condominium units and a 349-room 5-star Kempinski hotel. Since then the hotel has been operated under the JW Mariott brand.{{cite web|url=http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/riyadh/burj-rafal/9554/ |title=Burj Rafal |publisher=The Skyscraper Center |access-date=14 August 2018}}

{{Main|Al Faisaliyah Center}}

Al Faisaliyah Centre (Arabic: برج الفيصلية) is the first skyscraper constructed in Saudi Arabia and is the third tallest building in Riyadh after the Burj Rafal and the Kingdom Centre. The golden ball that lies atop the tower is said to be inspired by a ballpoint pen, and contains a restaurant; immediately below this is an outside viewing deck. There is a shopping center with major world brands at ground level. Al Faisaliyah Centre also has a hotel on both sides of the tower while the main building is occupied by office. The Al Faisaliyah Tower has 44 stories.{{sfn|Jordan|2011|p=98}} It was designed by Foster and Partners.

{{Main|Riyadh TV Tower}}

File:Pergamon-Museum - Anthropomorphe Stele 2.jpg at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh]]

The Riyadh TV Tower is a 170 meter high television tower located inside the premises of the Saudi Ministry of Information. It is a vertical cantilever structure which was built between 1978 and 1981. The first movie made in 1983 by the TV tower group and named "1,000 Nights and Night" had Mohammed Abdu and Talal Mmdah as the main characters. At that time, there were no women on TV because of religious restrictions. Three years later, Abdul Khaliq Al-Ghanim produced a TV series called "Tash Ma Tash," which earned a good reaction from audiences in Eastern Arabia. This series created a media revolution back in the 1980s.{{cite web|url=http://structurae.net/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0000282|title=Riyadh Television Tower|access-date=19 January 2014|publisher=Structurae.net}}

{{main|Museums in Riyadh}}

In 1999, a new central museum was built in Riyadh, at the eastern side of the King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre. The National Museum of Saudi Arabia combined several collections and pieces that had up until then been scattered over several institutions and other places in Riyadh and the Kingdom. For example, the meteorite fragment is known as the "Camel's Hump", recovered in 1966 from the Wabar site, that was on display at the King Saud University in Riyadh became the new entry piece of the National Museum of Saudi Arabia.

The Royal Saudi Air Force Museum, or Saqr Al-Jazira, is located on the East Ring Road of Riyadh between exits 10 and 11. It contains a collection of aircraft and aviation-related items used by the Royal Saudi Air Force and Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines).

File: استاد الملك فهد الدولي King Fahd International Stadium (66723825).jpeg]]

Football is the most popular sport in Saudi Arabia. The city hosts four major football clubs, Al-Hilal was established in 1957 and has won 19 championships in the Saudi Pro League.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/teams/saudi-arabia/al-hilal-riyadh/|title=Al Hilal (Riyadh)|publisher=Soccerway.com|access-date=22 November 2013}} Al-Nassr club is another team in the top league that has many supporters around the kingdom. It was established in 1955, and has been named champion of the Saudi professional League 9:ar:دوري المحترفين السعودي#Ù.82ائÙ.85ة اÙ.84أبطاÙ.84 times.{{Cite web|title=Al-Nassr Football Club|url=https://www.eyeofriyadh.com/directory/details/8352_al-nassr-football-club|access-date=2020-09-15|website=eyeofriyadh.com|language=en-US}} Another well-known club, Al-Shabab, was established in 1947 and holds 6 championships. There is also Al-Riyadh Club, which was established in 1954, as well as many other minor clubs.{{cite web|url=http://www.riyadh.com/Page/Sport/33/|title=Sports|publisher=Riyadh.com|access-date=22 November 2013|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924091405/http://www.riyadh.com/Page/Sport/33/|url-status=dead}}

The city also has several large stadiums such as King Fahd Sports City Stadium with a seating capacity of 70,200. The stadium hosted the FIFA Confederations Cup three times, in the years 1992, 1995 and 1997. It also hosted the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1989, and Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium (Al-Malaz Stadium) that is used mostly for football matches. The stadium has a capacity of 22,500 people.

The city's GPYW Indoor Stadium served as host arena for the 1997 Asian Basketball Championship, where Saudi Arabia's national basketball team reached the Final Four.

On 29 February 2020, the world's richest thoroughbred horse race took place at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh. The Saudi Cup is a new race for thoroughbreds aged four and up, to be run at weight-for-age terms over 1800m (9f). The prize money is US$20m with a prize of US$10m to the winner and prize money down to tenth place. The Saudi Cup is perfectly positioned between the Pegasus World Cup and the Dubai World Cup to attract the best horses from around the world to compete for horse racing's richest prize. Putting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the international horseracing map, the Saudi Cup will also hold an undercard of international races on both dirt and the new turf course.

On 26 April 2020, Saudi Arabia entered the bidding process for the 2030 Asian Games; their main rival for this event was Doha, Qatar. On 16 December 2020, it was announced that Riyadh will host the 2034 Asian Games.{{cite news|date=16 December 2020|title=Doha to host 2030 Asian Games, Riyadh 2034 edition|work=Channel News Asia|agency=AFP|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/doha-host-2030-asian-games-riyadh-2034-edition-13784734|access-date=16 December 2020|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511081401/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/doha-host-2030-asian-games-riyadh-2034-edition-13784734|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=Doha to host 2030 Asian Games with Riyadh awarded 2034 edition|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1102057/asian-games-double-award|access-date=2020-12-16|website=www.insidethegames.biz|date=16 December 2020 }}

Esports in Riyadh began its journey with the city's first major tournament, the GSA E-Sports Cup, in 2018. The Saudi Esports Federation further boosted this growth by organizing the Gamers8 festival in 2022 and 2023. The 2023 edition of the festival offered the largest prize pool in the history of global competitive esports at the time, totaling $45 million. As part of the Gamers8 festival, the Riyadh Masters, a Dota 2 tournament, boasted a significant prize pool of $15 million, surpassed only by the Fortnite World Cup Finals and The International in the history of esports tournaments.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} Gamers8 would be replaced by the Esports World Cup in 2024, which boasts a total prize pool of over $60 million, which will be the largest prize pool in the history of global competitive esports, split among at least 20 different tournaments and a Club Championship for esports organizations.{{cite news |last1=Church |first1=Ben |title=Inaugural Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, worth more than $60M, hopes to send 'positive message' to industry |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/16/sport/esports-world-cup-saudi-arabia-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=April 16, 2024 |work=CNN |date=April 16, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=June 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604145817/https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/16/sport/esports-world-cup-saudi-arabia-spt-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Takahashi |first1=Dean |title=Esports World Cup will have record-breaking prize pool of more than $60M |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/esports-world-cup-will-have-record-breaking-prize-pool-of-more-than-60m/ |access-date=April 16, 2024 |work=VentureBeat |date=April 16, 2024 |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418065632/https://venturebeat.com/games/esports-world-cup-will-have-record-breaking-prize-pool-of-more-than-60m/ |url-status=live }}

File:SV ERJ-170 at RUH (3004177752).jpg]]

Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) is located 35 kilometers north of the city center. It is the city's main airport, and served over 20 million passengers in 2013.{{cite news|url=http://www.arabnews.com/news/452856|title=Expansion to up Riyadh airport capacity to 35 m|newspaper=Arab News|access-date=24 November 2013}} The airport will be expanded, with six parallel runways and three or four large passenger terminals by 2030. It will be able to serve 120 million passengers per year after 2030, and 185 million passengers per year by 2050.{{cite web |title=Saudi Arabia plans one of the world's biggest airports |url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/saudi-arabia-airport-riyadh/index.html |website=CNN |date=2 December 2022 |access-date=10 January 2023}}{{cite web |title=Crown Prince launches master plan for Riyadh's King Salman International Airport |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/saudi-arabia/2022/11/28/-Crown-Prince-launches-masterplan-for-the-King-Salman-International-Airport- |website=Al Arabiya |date=28 November 2022 |access-date=10 January 2023}}

As part King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project, Riyadh Bus network consists of 3 main bus lines, covering a distance of 1,905 km.{{cite web |author= |date=2025-03-16 |title=New bus routes launched to serve Diplomatic Quarter |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2593780/saudi-arabia |website=arabnews.com |location= |publisher=Arab News |access-date=2025-04-18}} Riyadh’s bus network consists of 87 routes across the city using 842 vehicles with approximately 3,000 service stations. The bus network transported 50 million passengers in 2024.{{cite web |last=Alturki |first=Nada |date=2025-01-30 |title=An inside look at the operations center keeping Riyadh Metro running smoothly |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2588427/saudi-arabia |website=arabnews.com |location= |publisher=Arab News |access-date=2025-04-18}}

The main charter bus company in the kingdom, known as the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), offers trips both within the kingdom and to its neighboring countries, including Egypt (via ferries from Safaga or Nuweiba) and Arab states of the Gulf Cooperation Council.{{cite web|url=https://www.saptco.com.sa/Home.aspx?lang=ar-SA|title=SAPTCO - الرئيسية|work=saptco.com.sa|access-date=4 August 2015|archive-date=21 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921152706/https://www.saptco.com.sa/Home.aspx?lang=ar-SA|url-status=dead}}

The Riyadh Metro, part of the King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project, is the world's longest driverless metro system.{{cite magazine | url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban-rail/single-view/view/four-consortia-prequalify-for-riyadh-metro-contract.html | title=Four consortia prequalify for Riyadh metro contract | date=3 August 2012 | magazine=Railway Gazette International | access-date=5 August 2012 | archive-date=24 May 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524075444/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban-rail/single-view/view/four-consortia-prequalify-for-riyadh-metro-contract.html | url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Look: Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Metro project first lines set to open in mid-2021 |url=https://gulfnews.com/photos/news/look-saudi-arabias-riyadh-metro-project-first-lines-set-to-open-in-mid-2021-1.1617538310112 |access-date=29 June 2021 |publisher=Gulf News |date=4 April 2021}}

Saudi Arabia Railways operates two separate passenger and cargo lines between Riyadh and Dammam, passing through Hofuf and Haradh. Two future railway projects, connecting Riyadh with Jeddah and Mecca in the western region, and connecting Riyadh with Buraidah, Ha'il and Northern Saudi Arabia are underway.{{cite news|url=http://www.arabnews.com/makkah-madinah-train-set-roll-january-2014|title=Makkah-Madinah train set to roll by January 2014|newspaper=Arab News|access-date=24 November 2013}}

File:Riyadh aerial highway.jpg

File:KAFD 20230411 114620.jpg

The city is served by a major highway system. The main Eastern Ring Road connects the city's south and north, while the Northern Ring Road connects the city's east and west. King Fahd Road runs through the center of the city from north to south,{{Sfn|Ham|2004|p=81}} in parallel with the East Ring Road. Makkah Road, which runs east–west across the city's center, connects eastern parts of the city with the city's main business district and the diplomatic quarters.

• 20x20px Highway 65 runs north-south along Ha'il, Buraidah, through Riyadh, to Al-Kharj.
• 20x20px Highway 40 runs east-west from Jeddah to Dammam through Riyadh.

The {{convert|170|m|ft|abbr=on}} Riyadh TV Tower, operated by the Ministry of Information, was built between 1978 and 1981.

National Saudi television channels Saudi TV1, Saudi TV2, Saudi TV Sports, Al-Ekhbariya, ART channels network operate from here.{{cite web|url=http://www.riyadh.com/Page/Media/34/|title=Media|publisher=Riyadh.com|access-date=22 November 2013}}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Television broadcasts are mainly in Arabic, although some radio broadcasts are in English or French. Arabic is the main language used in television and radio but radio broadcasts are also made in different languages such as Urdu, French, or English. Riyadh has four Arabic newspapers; Asharq Al-Awsat (which is owned by the city governor), Al Riyadh, Al Jazirah and Al-Watan, two English language newspapers; Saudi Gazette and Arab News, and one Malayalam language newspaper, Gulf Madhyamam.

The Saudi government monitors and filters internet content. Political dissent is not tolerated in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has had strict regulations on cinema and the arts.

File:Red Sea Global HQ.jpg]]

In 2019, King Salman launched a plan to implement 1281{{Cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2019/02/14/Saudi-king-launches-Riyadh-development-projects-worth-22-bln-.html|title=Saudi king launches Riyadh development projects worth $22 bln|website=english.alarabiya.net|language=en|access-date=5 March 2019|archive-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044207/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2019/02/14/Saudi-king-launches-Riyadh-development-projects-worth-22-bln-.html|url-status=dead}} development projects in Riyadh. The project is planned to cost around US$22 billion.{{Cite web|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1451706/saudi-arabia|title=King Salman inaugurates $22 billion of projects for Riyadh region|date=13 February 2019|website=Arab News|language=en|access-date=14 February 2019}} The main goal of the plan is to improve the infrastructure, transportation, environment and other facilities in Riyadh and the surrounding area. In the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, the plan will take care of constructing 15 housing projects, building a huge museum, establishing an environmental project, sports areas, medical cities, educational facilities, etc. This includes the establishment of 14 electricity projects,Louis Boisgibault, Fahad Al Kabbani (2020): [http://www.iste.co.uk/book.php?id=1591 Energy Transition in Metropolises, Rural Areas and Deserts]. Wiley - ISTE. (Energy series) {{ISBN|9781786304995}}. 20 sewage projects, 10 housing areas, 66 trading and industrial areas, a number of lakes covering 315,000 square meters, and advanced sports cities. Since the announcement of the Vision, Riyadh has implemented various reforms to lay the foundation for the next steps of the Vision.{{cite web |title=An Ambitious Vision for an Ambitious Nation |url=https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/vision-2030/overview/ |website=Vision 2030 |access-date=26 March 2024 |archive-date=26 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326200751/https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/vision-2030/overview/ |url-status=dead }}

Vision 2030's stated goals are to promote tourism, and to help push Saudi Arabia to the global front.

Alongside the development project and with the aim of enhancing the artistic landscape of the city, 1000 pieces of art are planned to be publicly displayed in the city by the end of 2030.{{Cite web|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1489011/saudi-arabia|title=A look at Riyadh Art, which is going to bring public art to the city|date=28 April 2019|website=Arab News|language=en|access-date=1 May 2019}} In the framework of Riyadh's development projects, an amount of SR 604 million has been awarded to develop and construct roads of Riyadh.{{Cite web|url=http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/567174/BUSINESS/Value-of-awarded-contracts-rises-to-SR489-billion-in-Q1-2019|title=Value of awarded contracts rises to SR48.9 billion in Q1 2019|date=24 May 2019|website=Saudigazette|language=en|access-date=31 May 2019}} On 3 July 2020, Bloomberg reported that Saudi Arabia has allocated $20 billion on the mega-project of tourism and culture in Riyadh, branded as Diriyah, while facing a double economic crisis after rise in coronavirus cases.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-03/saudi-arabia-s-fiscal-crisis-won-t-slow-20-billion-megaproject|title=Saudi Arabia's Fiscal Crisis Won't Slow $20 Billion Project|access-date=3 July 2020|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=3 July 2020}}

The Ministry of Investment and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) announced on 13 July 2021 that they have partnered with SEK Education Group to open SEK International School Riyadh, its first campus in Saudi Arabia. The new international school will welcome students from Pre-K (age 3 years) to Grade 12 (age 17/18 years), and will become one of the few schools in Riyadh accredited to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).

In July 2024 the plan to create the Sports Boulevard which will include the world's tallest sports tower was approved. This is part of a $23 billion project meant to enlarge green spaces within the city.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-11 |title=Riyadh to design tallest sports tower |url=https://gulfnews.com/business/markets/riyadh-to-design-tallest-sports-tower-1.1720698282566 |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}

The arts can create a big change in societies and Riyadh is no different. There are many Muslim Scholars who have made great improvements to the arts and literature that were from Saudi Arabia. The development of agriculture is said to have pushed the wave of the arts into Saudi Arabia.{{cite web |url=https://www.saudiembassy.net/history |title=History | the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia }} One art form that is focused on is Calligraphy as it is associated with the Quran. There is also a history of folk music and folk dancing rituals that are performed in festivals. Poem readings are also very prominent in the culture as there is a poem for almost every event (weddings, funerals, etc.).

In March 2019, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City launched Riyadh Art, a public art project aimed at transforming Riyadh into an art hub by giving artists the chance to display and implement their talent in public spaces.{{cite web |author= |date= 29 May 2024|title=Riyadh Art

|url=https://saudipedia.com/en/article/415/economy-and-business/projects/riyadh-art |website=saudipedia.com |location= |publisher=Saudipedia |access-date=2025-03-07}}

The literacy rate in 2020 was 99.36% and in 2021 it was 99.38%. The literacy rate in Saudi Arabia has improved from 2010 when it was 98.10%.

{{cite web |url=https://www.globaldata.com/data-insights/macroeconomic/literacy-rate-in-saudi-arabia/#:~:text=Literacy%20Rate%20in%20Saudi%20Arabia%20Overview&text=The%20literacy%20rate%20reached%2099.38,decreased%20by%200.02%25%20in%202021. | title=Literacy Rate in Saudi Arabia (2010 - 2021, %) }}

Jenadriyah is an annual festival that has been held in Riyadh. It includes a number of cultural and traditional events, such as camel race, poetry reading and others.{{Cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2017/02/10/Jenadriyah-festival-showcases-best-of-Arab-heritage-culture.html|title=Jenadriyah festival showcases best of Arab heritage, culture|work=Al Arabiya|date=10 February 2017|language=en|access-date=17 July 2019}}

Riyadh International Book Fair is one of the largest book fairs in the middle east. It is usually held between March and April and it hosts a wide range of Saudi, Arab and international publishers.{{Cite web|url=https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1628856/riyadh-international-book-fair-2019-feature-over-900-publishing-houses|title=Riyadh International Book Fair 2019 to Feature over 900 Publishing Houses|website=Asharq AL-awsat|language=en|access-date=17 July 2019|archive-date=17 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717152915/https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1628856/riyadh-international-book-fair-2019-feature-over-900-publishing-houses|url-status=dead}}

Riyadh Season was held as part of an initiative to promote tourism. The season took place from October to December 2019. It included a wide range of sports, musical, theatrical, fashion shows, circus, and various other entertainment activities.{{Cite web|url=http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/571736/SAUDI-ARABIA/Riyadh-Season-kicks-off-on-Oct-11|title=Riyadh Season kicks off on Oct. 11|date=13 July 2019|website=Saudigazette|language=en|access-date=17 July 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://saudiseasons.com/riyadh-season|title=Riyadh Season|date=11 July 2019|website=Saudi Seasons|language=en|access-date=12 November 2020|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112194248/https://saudiseasons.com/riyadh-season|url-status=dead}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{See also|Timeline of Riyadh#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Riyadh}}

• {{cite book|last=Craze|first=Joshua|title=The Kingdom: Saudi Arabia and the Challenge of the 21st Century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tkqzb-k7qGYC&pg=PA41|year=2009|publisher=Hurst Publishers|isbn=978-1-85065-897-9}}
• {{cite book|last=Cybriwsky|first=Roman A.|title=Capital Cities around the World: An Encyclopedia of Geography, History, and Culture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qb6NAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA258|date=23 May 2013|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-61069-248-9}}
• {{cite book|last=Elsheshtawy|first=Yasser|title=The Evolving Arab City: Tradition, Modernity and Urban Development|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O8Zz-2AtuIwC&pg=PA124|date=27 May 2008|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-12821-1}}
• {{cite book|last=Facey|first=William|title=Riyadh, the Old City: From Its Origins Until the 1950s|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dITBAAAAIAAJ|date=1 January 1992|publisher=Immel Publishing|isbn=978-0-907151-32-6}}
• {{cite book|last=Farsy|first=Fouad|title=Modernity and Tradition: The Saudi Equation|url=https://archive.org/details/modernitytraditi0000fars|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/modernitytraditi0000fars/page/22 22]|year=1990|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-7103-0395-0}}
• {{cite book|last=Ham|first=Anthony|title=Saudi Arabia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PddTr1X7hEgC&pg=PA81|year=2004|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74059-667-1}}
• {{cite journal |title=The Impact of Planning on Growth and Development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1970-1990 |author1= Saud Al-Oteibi |author2=Allen G. Noble |author3=Frank J. Costa |journal= GeoJournal |volume=29 |date=February 1993

|issue= 2 |page= 163 |doi= 10.1007/BF00812813 |bibcode= 1993GeoJo..29..163A |ref= {{harvid|Al-Oteibi|1993}}

}}

• {{cite book|last1=Menoret|first1=Pascal|title=Joyriding in Riyadh: Oil, Urbanism and Road Revolt|date=2014|publisher=Cambridge University Press}}
• {{cite book|last=Jordan|first=Craig |title=The Travelling Triathlete: A Middle – Aged Man's Journey to Fitness|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6loHxdxxqBEC&pg=PA88|year=2011|publisher=AuthorHouse|isbn=978-1-4670-0081-9}}
• {{cite book|last1=Sloan|first1=Stephen|last2=Anderson|first2=Sean K.|title=Historical Dictionary of Terrorism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aVcG7EkuPgAC&pg=PA605|date=3 August 2009|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-6311-8}}
• {{cite book|last=Sonbol|first=Amira|title=Gulf Women|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a2BtIjMscqcC&pg=PT99|date=29 March 2012|publisher=Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing|isbn=978-99921-94-84-3|edition=English}}

{{Commons category|Riyadh}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{Wikivoyage inline}}
• [https://saudibusiness.directory/location/riyadh/ دليل الرياض] - [https://saudibusiness.directory/ الدليل السعودي]

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Category:Provincial capitals of Saudi Arabia

Category:Burial sites of the House of Saud

Category:Populated places with period of establishment missing

Category:Cities in Saudi Arabia