Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Conventional long name	Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Native name	المملكة العربية السعودية
Capital	Riyadh
Official languages	Arabic
Religion	Islam (Sunni)
Government type	Unitary Islamic absolute monarchy
Leader title1	King & Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
Leader name1	Salman
Leader title2	Crown Prince & Prime Minister
Leader name2	Mohammed bin Salman
Legislature	Consultative Assembly
Established event1	First Saudi State (Diriyah)
Established date1	1744
Established event2	Unification of Saudi Arabia
Established date2	23 September 1932
Area km2	2,149,690
Population estimate	32.2 million
Currency	Saudi riyal
Drives on	right

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A sovereign state on the Arabian Peninsula, it is the birthplace of Islam and home to its two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. Governed as an absolute monarchy under the House of Saud, its modern formation was declared in 1932 by Ibn Saud following the consolidation of the Nejd and Hejaz regions. The nation possesses the world's second-largest proven petroleum reserves and is a founding and influential member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

History

The region has been inhabited for millennia, with ancient sites like Al-Hijr and the Nabatean civilization at Mada'in Saleh attesting to its historical significance. The rise of Islam in the 7th century, with the revelations to the Prophet Muhammad in Mecca, fundamentally shaped the area's identity. Following the decline of the early Caliphates, control shifted among local tribes and empires, including the Ottoman Empire, which held sway over the Hejaz for centuries. The modern state emerged from the 18th-century alliance between Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab and Muhammad ibn Saud, founder of the First Saudi State in Diriyah. After periods of conflict and collapse, including the destruction of Diriyah by the Ottomans and the Rashidi emirate's rule, Abdulaziz ibn Saud (commonly known as Ibn Saud) reconquered Riyadh in 1902, leading to the Unification of Saudi Arabia and its proclamation as a kingdom in 1932. Key subsequent events include the 1979 Grand Mosque seizure, the Gulf War of 1990-1991, and the ongoing social and economic reforms under Vision 2030.

Geography

Encompassing most of the Arabian Peninsula, it is bordered by the Red Sea to the west, the Persian Gulf to the east, Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait to the north, and Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen to the south and southeast. Its terrain is dominated by the arid Arabian Desert, including the expansive Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter), and the mountainous Hejaz and Asir regions along the Red Sea coast. Major cities include the capital Riyadh in the central Najd region, the commercial hub Jeddah, the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, and the oil-rich Eastern Province centers of Dammam and Dhahran. The climate is generally extreme, characterized by very high summer temperatures and low, irregular rainfall.

Government and Politics

It is an absolute monarchy ruled by the House of Saud, with the Quran and the Sunnah serving as its constitution. The current monarch, King Salman, holds ultimate executive, legislative, and judicial authority, advised by the Council of Ministers and the Consultative Assembly (Majlis ash-Shura). The Allegiance Council plays a role in royal succession, and the legal system is based on Sharia law, administered by religious courts. The Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice historically enforced public morality. Significant power is vested in the office of the Crown Prince, currently Mohammed bin Salman, who also serves as Prime Minister and has launched wide-ranging initiatives like Vision 2030 and the NEOM project.

Economy

Its economy is dominated by hydrocarbons, with Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company, being one of the world's most valuable firms. As a leading member of OPEC and the G20, its policies significantly influence global crude oil markets. Major industrial cities like Jubail and Yanbu support petrochemical production. To reduce dependence on oil, the government is pursuing diversification through Vision 2030, investing heavily in sectors like tourism, entertainment (via the General Entertainment Authority), renewable energy (including the Sakaka PV IPP project), and technology, alongside partial privatization of assets like Saudi Aramco. The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority oversees the Saudi riyal.

Culture

Deeply rooted in Bedouin traditions and Islamic teachings, its culture emphasizes hospitality, family, and tribal lineage. Arabic is the official language, and the society is predominantly Sunni Muslim, adhering to the Hanbali school of jurisprudence. Traditional arts include Najdi ardah dance, Al-Qatt Al-Asiri mural art, and Arabic calligraphy. Cuisine features dishes like kabsa and dates, while traditional dress for men is the thobe and ghutra, and for women the abaya. The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca is a central religious event. Recent years have seen a significant expansion of public cultural and entertainment events, including concerts, the Riyadh Season festival, and the opening of institutions like the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran.

Foreign Relations

It is a major actor in Middle Eastern and Islamic affairs, maintaining a strategic alliance with the United States while fostering ties with other global powers like China and Russia. It is a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Its foreign policy is heavily influenced by regional rivalries, particularly with Iran, and involves leading a coalition in the Yemeni Civil War. It also plays a pivotal role in OPEC+ decisions on oil production. Other significant relationships include its complex ties with Qatar (historically strained during the Qatar diplomatic crisis), Egypt, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom.

Category:Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Category:Countries in Asia Category:G20 nations Category:Member states of the Arab League