Saudi Arabia is globally famous as the birthplace of Islam and home to its two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, which attract millions of Muslim pilgrims annually for the Hajj and Umrah. Economically and geographically, the nation is renowned as the world's leading petroleum exporter, sitting atop massive crude oil reserves that power international markets. Furthermore, the kingdom is globally recognized for its sweeping desert landscapes, rich Bedouin heritage, ambitious modern giga-projects like NEOM, and its influential role in Middle Eastern geopolitics.