Riyadh in 1980 was a city on the cusp of transformation. Still carrying the feel of a desert town, it was rapidly expanding due to the oil boom of the 1970s. Modern buildings and infrastructure were emerging, but traditional culture remained dominant.
Life was conservative and deeply shaped by Islamic values, with daily routines marked by prayer times. The city was beginning to attract workers and professionals from across the country and abroad, setting the stage for its rise as a major regional capital.
Captured by
Duncan_and_Gladys, these amazing photos reveal street scenes of the Saudi capital in 1980.
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| Taxi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1980 |
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| Airstreams in a government yard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1980 |
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| Al Yamamah Hotel, Shara al Mataar, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1980 |
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| Apartments, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1980 |
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| Back alley, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1980 |
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