Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a sovereign state on the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is the birthplace of Islam and home to its two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. The nation is an absolute monarchy ruled by the House of Saud, with its legal system grounded in Sharia.

History

The region has a deep historical tapestry, with ancient cultures like the Nabateans of Al-Hijr and the Lihyan kingdom. The rise of Islam in the 7th century under the Prophet Muhammad transformed the area, with Mecca and Medina becoming central to the Caliphates, including the Rashidun and Umayyad. Modern Saudi history began with the 1744 alliance between Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab and Muhammad ibn Saud, founding the First Saudi State. After periods of conflict with the Ottoman Empire, particularly during the Saudi–Ottoman War, and the collapse of the Second Saudi State, Abdulaziz Ibn Saud led a military and political campaign culminating in the Unification of Saudi Arabia in 1932. The subsequent discovery of oil in 1938, by Standard Oil of California, and the formation of Aramco fundamentally altered the nation's trajectory, anchoring its strategic alliance with the United States and shaping its role in global events like the 1973 oil embargo and the Gulf War.

Geography

Saudi Arabia occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by the Red Sea to the west and the Persian Gulf to the east. It shares land borders with Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. The terrain is predominantly arid, featuring the expansive Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter) desert, one of the largest sand deserts globally, and the Najd plateau. Mountain ranges include the Sarawat Mountains, with Jabal Sawda being the highest point. The Tihamah is a coastal plain along the Red Sea. The climate is extremely dry, with major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam often experiencing intense heat. Key natural landmarks include the Edge of the World escarpment and the Al-'Ula oasis region, home to the archaeological site of Hegra.

Government and politics

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy governed by the House of Saud. The Basic Law of Saudi Arabia declares the Quran and the Sunnah as the constitution. The current monarch, King Salman, holds executive power, while the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, is the de facto day-to-day ruler. The Al ash-Sheikh family, descendants of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, hold significant religious authority. The consultative Shura Council is appointed by the king. The legal system is based on Sharia, administered by religious courts, with the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice enforcing public morality. Foreign policy is closely aligned with the Gulf Cooperation Council and maintains a complex relationship with Iran, underscored by involvement in the Yemeni Civil War and a strategic partnership with the United States.

Economy

The economy is dominated by hydrocarbons, with Saudi Aramco, one of the world's most valuable companies, managing the world's second-largest proven oil reserves. The nation is a leading member of OPEC and a key player in the global energy market, as seen during the 2020 Russia–Saudi Arabia oil price war. To reduce this dependence, the Vision 2030 program, championed by Mohammed bin Salman, promotes diversification through massive projects like the futuristic city NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and the Qiddiya entertainment complex. Other significant sectors include petrochemicals, led by SABIC, and finance, centered on the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority and the Tadawul stock exchange. The King Abdullah Economic City is a cornerstone of industrial and logistical development.

Demographics and culture

The population is predominantly young and Arab, with a large expatriate community from countries like India, Pakistan, Egypt, and the Philippines. Islam is the state religion, with the majority adhering to the Sunni branch, specifically the Hanbali school. The two holiest sites, the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina, are the focal points of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Culturally, the nation is known for traditional arts like Al-Ardah dance, Arabic calligraphy, and Najdi architecture. The Saudi Pro League has gained international attention, while institutions like the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and events such as the Riyadh Season festival reflect modernizing cultural shifts under Vision 2030. The traditional dress for men is the thobe and ghutra, while women historically wear the abaya and niqab.

Category:Saudi Arabia Category:Countries in Asia Category:Member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council