12 mind-blowing facts about Saudi Arabia's economy

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranks in the top 20 nations on earth in terms of annual gross domestic product. Saudi Arabia produces most of its wealth through the sale and export of petroleum products, of which it is the world's second-largest producer. Here are 12 surprising facts about the economy of Saudi Arabia.The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was officially founded in 1932, and in the nearly nine decades since its establishment, it has grown into one of the wealthiest nations on Earth. This is almost entirely thanks to the nation's extensive oil and natural gas reserves, though Saudi Arabia has also made strides in other areas of economic activity, such as agricultural production.While recent news stories centered on Saudi Arabia and its ruling House of Saud have shined a light on the kingdom's darker side, the greater population of this Arabian nation has much of which to be proud. Saudi Arabia boasts a long, rich history, it has made recent economic advances that pave the way for a prosperous future, women's rights are slowly expanding, and it is home to a number of top-rated universities.Despite its reputation as a global economic powerhouse, thanks to its vast natural resources, a closer look at the Saudi economy reveals a more nuanced picture of the kingdom.