Saudi Arabia has designated this year as the Year of the Camel, continuing a series of cultural initiatives that previously highlighted coffee, calligraphy and poetry. Led by the Ministry of Culture, these celebrations aim to strengthen national identity and preserve the Kingdom’s rich heritage.
Camels occupy a special place in Saudi and wider Gulf culture, serving as powerful national symbols much like the rooster in France, the kangaroo in Australia, the bear in Russia or the eagle in the United States.
Globally, there are about 35 million camels, with roughly 17 million found in the Arab world. Somalia has the largest camel population among Arab countries, followed by Sudan, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Official figures show Saudi Arabia is home to around 1.8 million camels. The camel sector contributes more than SR2 billion ($534 million) each year to the national economy, a figure expected to grow steadily in the years ahead.
