Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in West Asia that occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula.

Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in West Asia that occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a hereditary monarchy, a major oil producer, and the birthplace of Islam, with its two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, located there.

Geography

Saudi Arabia covers most of the Arabian Peninsula and is bordered by Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. Its terrain is largely desert, with mountain regions in the southwest and long coastlines on the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. The country has an area of about 2,149,690 km² and a population of about 38.4 million.

History

The modern kingdom was established in 1932 after Abdulaziz Ibn Saud unified most of the peninsula. Earlier political and religious alliances between the House of Saud and the Wahhabi movement shaped the development of the state.

Government and politics

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy. The king is the head of state, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is widely described as the de facto ruler.

Economy

The economy is strongly based on oil and natural gas, and Saudi Arabia has been one of the world’s largest oil producers. Government plans such as Vision 2030 aim to diversify the economy and expand private-sector activity.

Religion and culture

Saudi Arabia is central to Islam because Mecca and Medina are located there, and the king uses the title Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Islam is the official religion, and the country is a major destination for pilgrimage.