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Saudi Arabia
The Arabian heartland of Islam and the modern kingdom of the House of Saud.
Overview
The Arabian peninsula was the cradle of Islam and the launchpad of the Rashidun conquests. The modern kingdom, founded in 1932 by Ibn Saud, is guardian of Mecca and Medina and the world's largest oil exporter.
Basic Information
CapitalRiyadh
Population36 million
Area2,149,690 km²
CurrencySaudi riyal (SAR)
LanguagesArabic
RegionMiddle East (West Asia)
History Timeline
- 570Traditional birth of Muhammad
- 622Hijra to Medina; year 1 of the Islamic calendar
- 632Death of Muhammad; Rashidun Caliphate begins
- 1744Alliance of Ibn Saud and Ibn Abd al-Wahhab
- 1932Kingdom of Saudi Arabia proclaimed
- 1938Oil discovered
Ancient Peoples
- Nabataeans
- Sabaeans
- Bedouins
Ancient Kingdoms
- Kingdom of Kinda
- Kingdom of the Nabataeans
Empires
- Rashidun Caliphate
- Umayyad Caliphate
- Ottoman Empire
Religions
- Sunni Islam
- Shia Islam
Culture
Qur'anic recitation, calligraphy, Bedouin poetry, pilgrimage traditions.
Language
Arabic is a Central Semitic language with a vast poetic and scholarly tradition.
Important Battles
- Battle of Badr624
Muhammad's first major victory
- Conquest of Mecca630
Islamic conquest of the city
Historical Figures
Muhammad
570 – 632
Prophet of Islam
Ibn Saud
1875 – 1953
Founder of modern Saudi Arabia
Archaeological Sites
- Hegra (Madain Saleh)
- Al-Ula
- Diriyah
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Hegra
- At-Turaif in Diriyah
- Historic Jeddah
- Rock Art in the Hail Region
Dynasties
- House of Saud
Colonial Period
Never colonized.
Modern History
Absolute monarchy pursuing Vision 2030 diversification.