SAUDI
ARABIA
Brief History
First Saudi State ( Emirate of Diriyah )
It began as a nation-state in 1744 with the rise of the Saud dynasty. While there are
various other human settlements and nations within the Arabian Peninsula, this is
referred to as the Saudi Dynasty with its head Mohammad ibn Saud, primarily Located
around Riyadh and most of the territory of present-day Saudi Arabia.
Second Saudi State
Established between 1824 - 1891, located in Riyadh and Ha’il, Muhammad ibn Saud was
responsible for driving off and repelling the Egyptian Forces in Riyadh.
Third Saudi State
Self Established in 1926 by Abdulaziz, the Sultan of Nejd, the Kingdom of Hejaz and
Nejd is a dual monarchy that lasted until 1932, when the rules proclaimed the merge
of the kingdoms of Hejaz and Nejd in the domain of al-Hasa, Qatif, Nejd and Hejaz all
combined into one into a country or state known as the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Fourth Saudi State
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or more commonly known as Saudi Arabia, started in
1932 after the unification of the Kingdoms of Hejaz and Nejd of the 3rd Saudi State.
CITIES
Riyadh
Dhahran
Jubail and Yanbu
Industrial Area
Jeddah
The Holy City of Makkah
The Holy City of Madinah
Main Cities
There are six main cities in Saudi Arabia-Riyadh
Capital City of Saudi Arabia
-The Holy City of Makkah
Holiest City on earth to Muslims
-The Holy City of Madinah
Second Holiest City to Islam
-Jeddah
Seaport for pilgrims visiting the Holy City of
Makkah
-Dhahran
Site of King Fahd Petroleum and Minerals
University
-Jubail and Yanbu Industrial Era
Core of country to develop hydrocarbonbased and energy-intensive industries
CURRENCY
Saudi Riyal
Currency
Inspired by the currency used during the Ottoman Era, namely the Austrian
Taler that was locally called the "Alriyal Alfansi", translated to French Riyal
that was common in most regions of the Arabian peninsula.
Modern variants of the Riyal, including the banknote, were first introduced
in the 1950s by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, this was in the form
of Haj Pilgrim Receipts.
They were phased out from circulation
by the 60s with regular banknotes
SAUDI ARABIA
Population
Language
Main Religion
34,218,000
Arabic
93% Islam
4% Christianity
1.1% Hinduism
0.3% Buddhism
0.3% Unaffiliated
Population
The fourth largest state in the Arab World with 35,013,414 people. 33% of the total population is
immigrants.
Most citizens are ethnically Arabs.
The immigrant population of composed of people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines,
Syria, and Yemen
Age Demographics are As Follows
24.84% made up of 0-14 age
15.38% for 15-24 age
50.2% for 25-55 age
5.95% for 55-64 age
3.63% for 65+ age
Language
Arabic
Spoken by most of the Arab world by 200
million people and more than 22 countries
Religion
Islam is the main religion of Saudi Arabia.
Composing of more than 90% of the
population, the remaining 10% is composed
of different religions such as Christianity,
Hindusim, etc.
Political Leaders
King Salman of
Saudi Arabia
Mohammad bin
Salman
King of Saudi Arabia
De facto ruler of Saudi
Arabia
BASIC TRADITIONS
Islamic teachings: Holy Month
of Ramadan and Hajj
(pilgrimage) session
National holidays in line with
Ramadan
Pilgrigrimige draws millions of
Mulsim pilgrims to Makkah.
Strict Social Etiquette is
followed in accordance to
traditional arab values
Saudi Social Norms
-Alcohol is prohibited
-Women should wear Abaya in public
-Gambling is banned
-Respect religion including adhering to
requirements of Ramadan where food or
beverages are prohibited
RECENT POLITICAL ECONOMIC TRENDS
Absolute Monarchy
Diversification
Assasination
Saudi Arabia is ruled by
absolute monarchy, mainly
ruled by the royal family since
its inception
Changing its strategy and
adopting new economic
advantages compared to other
oil-dependent states in the Gulf
peninsula ensuring success
Death of Jamal Khashoggi linked
with the Saudi government for
criticizing the royal family,
particularly Crown prince
Salman
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Knauerhase, R. (1975, February). Saudi Arabia: A brief
history - jstor home. Jstor. Retrieved July 24, 2022,
from https://www.jstor.org/stable/45313238
Onley, J., & Nonneman, G. (2021, February 15). The
Journal of Arabian Studies and the development of
Gulf and arabian peninsula studies. Taylor & Francis.
Retrieved July 25, 2022, from
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21534
764.2020.1847245