For all its high-tech infrastructure and glistening factories, this is a distinctly Saudi city.

Some Saudi cities have implemented an automated traffic system.

Further south, Haql is the largest Saudi Arabian city on the gulf.

Like other Saudi cities, the Najdi Kabsa is the most traditional lunch.

In larger military installations near Saudi cities, the worship services are more varied and can be held in private auditoriums.

The first three are Mecca's (and other Saudi cities') primary newspapers focusing mainly on issues that affect the city, with over a million readers.

But an Administration official said the oil could threaten desalting plants for Saudi cities within three weeks, depending upon its size and how fast it moved.

Saudi cities have traditionally had no central square where people could mix easily and express opinions openly.

In existence since 23 June 1980, it has branches in all major Saudi cities.

Also, Saudi cities have no rainwater drainage systems to deal with the brief and occasional, but severe deluges of winters.