The bloody history of the formation of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia: sights and general information

The current unified and modern state of Saudi Arabia
was founded on 05 Shawal 1319 Hijra (January 15, 1902) by one
of the great leaders of modern history - Abdulaziz Ibn
Abdulrahman Al-Faysal Al-Saud. On this day, he managed to free Riad again and restore the rule of his ancestors, who ruled this vast country, spread over the entire Arabian Peninsula, for 250 years.
King Abdulaziz, as he was called during his reign, over the next 31 years fought to unify the Desert Kingdom, which by that time had become a divided and unruly country. In 1351 Hijri (1932) the struggle for unification was successful
completed, resulting in the birth of the new Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
King Abdulaziz spent the next 21 years of his reign laboring to lay the foundations for a modern, peaceful and united Kingdom. He died on the 02nd Rabbi Awal 1373 Hijra (November 9, 1953) After his
death, the reins of government passed to his sons, who all faithfully followed in the footsteps of their father, striving for the goal set by him: to build, develop and modernize the Kingdom, while not deviating from the commandments of Islam.
King Saud was the first to succeed his father and reigned from 1372 to 1384 AH (1953-1964), King Faisal reigned from 1384 to 1395 AH (1964-1975) and King Khalid was in power from 1395 to 1403 Hijri (1975-1982). Under their rule, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has become, with the help of oil revenues, a country with a dynamically developing economy.
After the death of King Khalid, King Fahd took the oath as the new King on the 21st Shaban 1402 AH (13 June 1982). On the same day, King Fahd appointed his brother Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz as Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Chief
National Guard, and his younger brother Prince Sultan Ibn Abdulaziz - Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahd pioneered the recent extremely successful development of the Kingdom. The following reforms were carried out:

The restructuring of the government system, which involved the creation of a regional administration, a new Shura Council of a larger composition, as well as a new Council of Ministers, and the tenure of all government posts became limited.
Extensive internal development has been implemented to make healthcare, education, communication and communications
accessible to everyone.
A multi-billion dollar expansion project was carried out and
restoration of the Two Holy Mosques - the Great Mosque in Mecca and
Mosque of the Prophet in Medina.

FOREIGN POLICY

During the reign of King Fahd, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia began to play an active and growing role in international affairs. King Fahd considers good international relations to be the key to stability and peace. Arab and Islamic solidarity and unity are the main objectives of Saudi Arabia's policy. The kingdom played a major role in resolving regional conflicts in which Muslim peoples participated. These are conflicts in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Somalia. In the Arab world, the Kingdom stood and stands guard over security
region, gave shelter to the needy, and also participated as a mediator in the peaceful settlement of conflicts in Palestine, Lebanon and Kuwait.

Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdu-Rahman ibn Faisal Al Saud, also called simply Ibn Saud or Abdul-Aziz II (November 26, 1880 - November 9, 1953) - the founder and first king of Saudi Arabia (1932-1953). He fought for the unification of Arabia. In 1902-1927 he was the emir of the state of Nejd, later - until 1932 - the king of the state of Hijaz, Nejd and the annexed regions.

Abdul-Aziz ibn Saud was born on November 26, 1880 in Riyadh in the Islamic State of the Saudis, whose territory was actually limited to the outskirts of Riyadh. Son of Emir Nejd Abd al-Rahman and Sarah, daughter of Ahmad al-Sudairi. The boy was more interested in games with a saber and a rifle than religious exercises. He was able to read the Koran only at the age of 11. The future king dreamed of restoring family honor, of returning the glory and wealth of the house of Saudis.

Hike to Riyadh

The Rashidi family, who seized power in the city, sent the Saudis to Kuwait, where the young Abdulaziz spent his childhood. In 1901, he began to collect his own detachment for a campaign against Riyadh. On the night of January 15-16, 1902, Abdul-Aziz, with a detachment of 60 people, captured Riyadh, cracking down on the governor from Rashidi.

Ikhwans (Brothers)

In 1912, Abdul-Aziz took over the entire region of Najd, converting to "pure Islam" the same year. In an effort to achieve the loyalty of the largest tribes, Ibn Saud, on the advice of religious teachers, began to transfer them to settled life. For this purpose, in 1912, the military-religious brotherhood of the Ikhvans (Arabic for “brothers”) was founded. All the Bedouin tribes and oases who refused to join the Ikhwan movement and recognize Ibn Saud as their emir and imam began to be seen as enemies of Nejd. Ikhvans were ordered to move to agricultural colonies (“hijras”), whose members were called to love their homeland, unquestioningly obey the imam-emir and not enter into any contacts with Europeans and residents of the countries they ruled (including Muslims). A mosque was erected in each Ikhwan community, which also served as a military garrison, and the Ikhwans themselves became not only farmers, but also warriors of the Saudi state. By 1915, more than 200 such settlements were organized throughout the country, including at least 60,000 people who, at the first call of Ibn Saud, were ready to go to war with the "infidels."

The beginning of the war for the unification of Arabia

With the outbreak of the First World War, he enlisted the support of the British Empire. In 1920, using the material support of the British, Abdul-Aziz finally defeated Rashidi. By the time of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, five independent states had formed on the peninsula: Hejaz, Nejd, Jebel Shammar, Asir and Yemen. Abdul-Aziz made an attempt to annex Jebel Shammar in April-May 1921, but only in August the capital of the al-Rashidids, Hail, was taken by the Wahhabis. On November 1 of the same year, Jebel Shammar ceased to exist.

Confrontation with the Sheriff of Mecca

After this victory, Hussein bin Ali, the sheriff of Mecca and the king of Hijaz, became the main opponent of Ibn Saud. In 1922, Abdul-Aziz captured northern Asir without a fight, and in July 1924 he called for a jihad against the heretics of the Hejaz. In early September, Ikhwan detachments broke into the resort town of Et-Taif and killed mostly civilians here. The nobility of Hijaz, frightened by the events in Al-Taif, opposed Hussein. He was forced to abdicate in favor of his son Ali. The new king did not have the strength to defend Mecca and took refuge with his supporters in Jeddah. In mid-October, the Ikhwans entered the Holy City, and in January 1925 the siege of Jeddah began. On December 6, Medina fell, and on December 22, Ali evacuated Jeddah, after which the troops of Najd entered the city. That same year, Ibn Saud captured Mecca, thus ending 700 years of Hashemite rule. On January 10, 1926, Abdul-Aziz al-Saud was proclaimed king of the Hijaz, the kingdom of Najd and Hijaz was formed. A few years later, Abdul-Aziz captured almost the entire Arabian Peninsula.

Ikhwan uprising

Ibn Saud treated European civilization with great understanding. He appreciated the importance of the telephone, radio, car and airplane and began to implement them in life. At the same time, he began to gradually limit the influence of the Ikhwans. Feeling a change on the part of the king, the Ikhwans revolted in 1929, and in the battle of Sibil, Ibn Saud defeated his former supporters. But the vanquished switched to guerrilla warfare. Then the king unleashed all his might on them. They were taken to use some European methods of struggle. At the end of the year, the Ikhwans were driven to Kuwait, where they were disarmed by the British. The Ikhwan leaders, Davish and Ibn Hitlein's cousin Nayif, were subsequently handed over by the British to Ibn Saud and imprisoned in Riyadh. The movement, which played an important role in strengthening the power of Abdul-Aziz and his conquests, was completely defeated and soon disappeared. Ibn Saud assumed the title of King of Hijaz, Najd and the annexed territories.

King of Saudi Arabia

On September 23, 1932, Nejd and Hijaz were merged into one state, called Saudi Arabia. Abdulaziz himself became the king of Saudi Arabia. This was supposed not only to strengthen the unity of the kingdom and put an end to Hijaz separatism, but also to emphasize the central role of the royal house in the creation of the Arabian centralized state. During the entire subsequent period of Ibn Saud's reign, internal problems did not present any particular difficulties for him.

Foreign policy

The excesses of the Ikhwan led to the alienation of Saudi Arabia from the majority of Muslim governments, who considered the Saudi regime hostile and resented the complete control established by Muslims of pure Islam over the holy cities and the Hajj. Between Ibn Saud and the Hashemite rulers of Iraq and Transjordan - the sons of Hussein, who was overthrown by him - there was mutual hostility. Ibn Saud's relationship with the king of Egypt, whom he suspected of wanting to revive the caliphate and declare himself caliph, could hardly be called warm. In February 1934, Ibn Saud started a war with the Imam of Yemen over the demarcation of the Yemeni-Saudi border. Hostilities were terminated after the signing of the agreement in May of that year. Two years later, the border was de facto defined. Border problems also occurred in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula after Ibn Saud granted an oil concession to Standard Oil of California in 1933. Negotiations with Great Britain over the demarcation of borders with neighboring British protectorates and possessions - Qatar, Trucial Oman, Muscat and Oman and the Eastern Aden Protectorate - ended in failure.

Saudi-Yemeni War

In 1932, the former Emir Asir al-Idrisi declared the emirate's independence from Saudi Arabia. After the suppression of the Asir rebellion, al-Idrisi fled to Yemen. In March 1933, envoys from King Yahya of Yemen and King Abdulaziz met and discussed the possibility of restoring al-Idrisi's power. The envoys of Abdul-Aziz insisted on the transfer of northern Asir and the extradition of members of the al-Idrisi family. Bilateral negotiations were interrupted, and in May 1933, Yemen captured Nejran, which was considered by the Yemenis as part of Yemen, blocking the transport routes from Asir to Nejd. Members of the Saudi delegation were also captured in Sana'a. During the fighting in February 1934, the Saudis occupied southern Asir and part of Tihama. The Saudi troops had more modern weapons and vehicles. On the second front, the Saudi Arabian forces occupied Nejran and advanced towards the major center of Saada. The Western powers were forced to send warships to Hodeidah and the Saudi coast. The Arab League in Cairo offered negotiating services. Yemen, which found itself in a difficult situation, accepted the offer of negotiations. In May 1934, the Saudi-Yemeni peace treaty was signed in Al-Taif, according to which part of Nejran and Asir remained part of Arabia, and its forces were withdrawn from Yemen. Successful military operations have significantly increased the authority of Saudi Arabia in the international arena.

Discovery of oil fields

In 1933, King Ibn Saud granted American oil companies a concession to explore and extract oil. It turned out that in the depths of Arabia there are huge reserves of "black gold". In 1938, colossal oil fields were discovered in Saudi Arabia. The king transferred the main rights to develop deposits to the Aramco company. Most of the oil produced went to the United States, and almost all of the proceeds from it went directly to the royal family. However, profits were constantly growing, and the money went to the state treasury. Saudi Arabia quickly became the richest state in the Middle East. The sale of oil enabled Abdulaziz to make a huge fortune, which in 1952 was estimated at 200 million US dollars. During the Second World War, he remained neutral. He led the Arab struggle against the creation of a Jewish state and was one of the leaders of the Arab League.

The Second World War

The outbreak of World War II prevented the full-scale development of the Al-Hasa oil fields, however, part of the loss of Ibn Saud's income was offset by British and then American aid. During the war, Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Germany (1941) and Italy (1942), but remained neutral almost until its end (officially declared war on Germany and Japan on February 28, 1945). At the end of the war and especially after it, American influence increased in Saudi Arabia. On May 1, 1942 in Jeddah (since 1943 Jeddah became known as the diplomatic capital) the American diplomatic mission headed by James S. Moose Jr. was opened. In 1943, an American envoy arrived in Riyadh, thereby raising the level of diplomatic relations with the United States (established in 1933). The United States extended the lend-lease law to Saudi Arabia. In early February 1944, American oil companies began building a trans-Arabian oil pipeline from Dhahran to the Lebanese port of Saida. At the same time, the government of Saudi Arabia allowed the construction of a large American air base in Dhahran, which the United States needed for the war against Japan.

After the Yalta Conference, an American delegation headed by US President Franklin Roosevelt flew to Egypt, where the heavy cruiser Quincy was waiting for her. On board this ship on February 14, President Roosevelt received Ibn Saud. In his memoirs, the son of the American president, Elliot Roosevelt, left a description of his father's negotiations with this Arab monarch, who for the first time left his kingdom specifically to meet with Roosevelt. He arrived in a tent, pitched right on the deck of an American destroyer. On board the cruiser, US President Franklin Roosevelt and King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia signed an agreement known as the Quincy Pact, giving the US a monopoly on the development of Saudi oil fields. Under the pact, the US was given exclusive rights to explore, develop and acquire Saudi oil, in turn guaranteeing the Saudis protection from any external threat.

Reformer

Military establishment

Until the death of Ibn Saud in 1953, the armed forces retained a patriarchal tribal character. Created in 1944, the Ministry of Defense did not function until 1947 and did not change anything in the tribal structure of the armed forces, forming only a kind of modern facade. Petrodollars allowed Ibn Saud to send significant amounts to military and security needs, which in 1952-1953 amounted to 53% of all income.

Family

Abdulaziz became the founder of the Saudi royal dynasty. He left behind 45 legitimate sons from numerous wives, among them all the kings of Saudi Arabia who reigned after him (the throne usually passes from brother to brother). After the death of Abdul Aziz, his son Saud became king. At present, the Saudi family, the offspring of ibn Saud, is so numerous (from 5 to 7 thousand prince-emirs) that its representatives permeated the entire state and economic life of the country. The ruling group of the Saudis exercises power functions, determines the direction and solves emerging problems in domestic and foreign policy, in the development of the economy, manages the public sector of the national economy, the basis of which is the oil and gas industry. Several sons of King Abdulaziz became billionaires.

ALL PHOTOS

The most obvious human rights violations in Saudi Arabia include: mistreatment of prisoners; prohibitions and restrictions in the field of freedom of speech, press, meetings and organizations, religion; systematic discrimination against women, ethnic and
BBC News

Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries that refused to recognize some articles of the International Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN in 1948. According to the human rights organization Freedom House, Saudi Arabia is one of the nine countries with the worst regime in the field of political and civil rights.

The most obvious human rights violations in Saudi Arabia include: mistreatment of prisoners; prohibitions and restrictions in the field of freedom of speech, press, meetings and organizations, religion; systematic discrimination against women, ethnic and religious minorities, as well as the suppression of workers' rights.

The country retains the death penalty; Since the Gulf War in 1991, Saudi Arabia has seen a steady increase in the number of executions. In addition to public executions, arrests and imprisonment of dissidents are widely practiced in the kingdom.

In 2003, the influential American public organization Freedom House ranked Saudi Arabia among the eight "worst of the worst" countries and territories where human rights are most violated and there is a minimum of civil liberties.

Attempts to criticize the royal family are immediately stopped - critics disappear, their fate remains a mystery to loved ones. Saudi Arabia has a system of harsh punishments for the most minor crimes.

For example, talking on a cell phone on board an aircraft is punishable by 20 lashes. Similar executions are carried out in shopping centers and squares. Women do not have the right to drive a car, appear on the street without an escort, etc. If a woman violates these prohibitions, she risks being beaten and imprisoned. In March 2002, an event took place in Saudi Arabia that terrified the world community. The fire killed 15 girls studying at a school in Mecca. They could have been saved, but the religious police prevented them from running out into the street because they were not wearing a veil. For the same reason, male rescuers were not allowed into the burning building.

Kingdom Saudi Arabia- a state on the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia. To the north, Saudi Arabia borders Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait; in the east it is washed by the Persian Gulf and borders on Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, in the southeast it borders on Oman, in the south - on Yemen, in the west it is washed by the Red Sea.

In 1975 and 1981, agreements were signed between Saudi Arabia and Iraq on the division of a small neutral zone on the border of the two states, which was carried out in 1987. Another agreement was signed with Qatar on the demarcation of the border until 1998. In 1996, the neutral zone was divided on the border with Kuwait, but both countries continue to share oil and other natural resources in the area. Border issues with Yemen have not yet been resolved.

Saudi Arabia is divided into Hijaz - the Red Sea coast, Najd in the central part of the peninsula, Al-Hasa on the coast of the Persian Gulf and a small region of Asir in the southwest. The total area of ​​the country is 2.15 million square meters. km, population - 18.8 million people (1997). The capital of Riyadh is located in Najd.

Saudi Arabia occupies almost 80% of the territory of the Arabian Peninsula.

Population

According to the first census, conducted in 1974, the population of Saudi Arabia was 7.013 million people. Most of the population lived in the rural areas and small towns of Hijaz and Asir, as well as in the oases and cities of Najd and Al-Hasa. Only a small part of the population of the country belongs to the real nomads, the Bedouins.

Arab nomads inhabiting the desert regions roam between pastures and oases in search of food and water. Their traditional dwellings are tents woven from black sheep and goat wool. Settled Arabs are characterized by dwellings made of bricks dried in the sun, whitewashed or painted with ocher. Slums, once quite common, are now rare thanks to government housing policies.

The staple foods of the Arabs are mutton, lamb, chicken and game seasoned with rice and raisins. Common dishes include soups and stews cooked with onions and lentils. Many fruits are eaten, especially dates and figs, as well as nuts and vegetables. Coffee is a popular drink. Used camel, sheep and goat milk. Sheep milk ghee (dahn) is commonly used for cooking.

Bedouins inhabit mainly the northern and eastern regions of the country. The overwhelming majority of the population are Arabs, for the most part retaining a tribal organization.

Several thousand Americans and Europeans live in Saudi Arabia, most of them are employed in the oil industry. Saudi Arabia also employs more than 5 million foreign workers, mostly from Arab countries such as Egypt and Yemen.

The population of the country's capital, Riyadh (since 1984, the location of diplomatic missions), was in 1998 almost 2.5 million inhabitants, mostly Saudis, as well as Egyptians, Palestinians, citizens of other Arab, Asian and Western countries. The population of Mecca is about 1 million inhabitants and is distinguished by a motley national composition. The population of Medina has the same composition (750 thousand people).

The population of Jeddah, the main port of the Hijaz, is 2 million people. Jeddah is the most important business center of Saudi Arabia. Until 1984, diplomatic missions of foreign states were located here. On the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, on the coast of the Persian Gulf, there are ports such as Dammam, Dhahran (Ez-Zahran), El Khobar and El Jubail. Their population consists of representatives of various Arab countries, including the Gulf countries, Indians, as well as people from North America and Europe.

State and religion

Saudi Arabia is the center of the Islamic world. There are two holy cities of Muslims - Mecca and Medina, respectively, the birthplace and burial place of the Prophet Muhammad.

The majority of Saudis (85%) are Sunnis. Shiites, who live mainly in the east, in Al-Has, make up about 15% of the population.

Saudi Arabia, especially the area around Riyadh, is the center of Wahhabism, a puritanical religious and political trend in Islam that gained prominence from the second half of the 18th century. Wahhabis are the guardians of sacred places, under their control there is a pilgrimage to Mecca.

State structure Saudi Arabia is an absolute theocratic monarchy. The head of state is the king (malik), who is also the religious leader of the country (imam), is the head of the ruling dynasty of the Saudis and bears the old honorary title of "guardian of the two sacred mosques."

The Royal Decree of 1992 introduced the "Fundamentals of the system of power", based on the provisions of Islamic law. Sharia is the basis of the state structure of the country.

The king governs the country by decree. It has an Advisory Council, consisting of scientists, writers, businessmen and prominent members of the royal family. This Council, first convened in 1993 and representing the first public forum in the history of Saudi Arabia, consists of a chairman and 60 members appointed by the king for a term of four years. In 1997 the membership of the Council was increased to 90 people. The reports and recommendations of the Council are submitted directly to the King.

The Council of Ministers is appointed by the King, who heads it. This body combines both executive and legislative functions. All its decisions are made by majority vote and are subject to final approval by the king. The most important ministries are usually headed by representatives of the royal family.

The real structure of monarchical power in Saudi Arabia is somewhat different from how it is presented in theory. To a large extent, the power of the king is based on the Al Saud family, which consists of more than 5 thousand people and forms the basis of the monarchical system in the country. The king rules, relying on the advice of leading representatives of the family, in particular his brothers. His relations with religious leaders are built on the same basis.

Army

Since the 1970s, Saudi Arabia has spent huge amounts of money to expand and modernize its armed forces. After the Gulf War in 1991, Saudi Arabia's armed forces were further enlarged and equipped with the latest weapons, most of which came from the United States. In the mid-1990s, they numbered about 70,000 servicemen. About 40,000 more are part of the well-trained National Guard, which has its own command and separate budget.

In 1997, the armed forces of Saudi Arabia numbered 105.5 thousand people, including 70 thousand in the ground forces, 13.5 thousand in the navy, 18 thousand in the air force and 4 thousand in the forces air defense. The total number of the National Guard was about 77 thousand people. The share of spending on defense and security in the 1997 budget was 37.5%.

The value of oil

The start of oil production completely changed the country's economy and ensured its rapid growth. The impetus for the rapid development of the country was the creation of a network of roads, ports and communications, as well as demographic changes due to the development of medical care and education. For example, a road network was built linking vast arid regions located in remote parts of the country.

Communication networks in Saudi Arabia are considered the most advanced in the entire region.

The largest holder of oil concessions and the main oil producer is the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO). Since the early 1970s, it has been under the control of the Saudi Arabian government, and before that it was wholly owned by a consortium of American companies.

The company received a concession in 1933 and began exporting oil in 1938. World War II interrupted the development of the oil industry, which resumed in 1943 with the construction of an oil refinery at the oil port of Ras Tanura.

Oil production is also carried out by other, smaller companies, such as the Japanese Arabian Oil Company, which operates in coastal waters near the border with Kuwait, and the Getty Oil Company, which produces onshore near the border with Kuwait. In 1996 Saudi Arabia's OPEC quota was about 1.17 million tons per day. The largest oil fields are located in the eastern part of the country, on the coast of the Persian Gulf or on the shelf.

The most important factor in the development of the oil industry is the close and mutually beneficial relationship that has developed between ARAMCO and Saudi Arabia. ARAMCO's activities contributed to the influx of qualified personnel into the country and the creation of new jobs for the Saudis.

Significant changes in relations between the oil companies and the government of Saudi Arabia began in 1972. In accordance with the agreement signed by the parties, the government received 25% of ARAMCO's property. It was determined that the share of Saudi Arabia would gradually increase to 51% by 1982. However, in 1974 the government accelerated this process and acquired a 60% stake in ARAMCO.

In 1976, the oil companies pledged to transfer all of ARAMCO's property to Saudi Arabia. In 1980, the entire ownership of ARAMCO passed to the government of Saudi Arabia. In 1984, for the first time, a citizen of Saudi Arabia became the president of the company. Since 1980, the government of Saudi Arabia began to determine the price of oil and the volume of its production, and oil companies received the rights to develop oil fields as government subcontractors.

The growth in oil production was accompanied by a significant increase in revenues from its sale.

How did this state come about?

The roots of the state system of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia lie in the religious reform movement of the middle of the X-III century, called Wahhabism.

It was founded by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703-1792) and supported by Muhammad ibn Saud, the leader of the Anayza tribe who inhabited the Ad-Diriya region in Central Najd. Ibn Saud and Ibn Abd al-Wahhab managed to unite the Nejd tribes into a religious and political confederation, the purpose of which was to spread the Wahhabi teachings and the power of the Saudis to the entire Arabian Peninsula. The son of Muhammad ibn Saud, Abd al-Aziz (r. 1765-1803), assumed the title of imam, which meant the unification in his hands of both secular and spiritual power.

Under his leadership, as well as under his son Saud (r. 1803-1814), the Wahhabis conquered Central and Eastern Arabia, invaded Iraq, Syria and Oman, and devastated the Hijaz. In the second decade of the 19th century they were defeated by the Pasha of Egypt Muhammad Ali, and in 1818 Ibrahim Pasha, the son of Muhammad Ali, destroyed Ed-Diriya. However, over the next few years, the Wahhabis, under the leadership of Imam Turki (r. 1824-1834), managed to recover from defeat, establish a new capital, Riyadh, near Ad-Diriya, and restore Saudi rule over Nejd and Al-Hasa.

In 1837-1840, the Wahhabis were again defeated by Muhammad Ali, but they managed to restore their position under the leadership of Turki's son, Faisal (r. 1834-1838, 1843-1865). For the next three decades, they played a leading role in the political life of Central and Eastern Arabia. The power struggle between the Saudis allowed the Turks to capture Al-Hasa in 1871, and over the next few years, the Saudis were pushed into the shadows by the rival Rashidid dynasty from the independent emirate of Shammar.

In 1890, the Rashidids captured Riyadh and forced the Saudis to flee to remote areas and leave the country.

The power of the Saudi dynasty was restored by Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud (r. 1902-1953), later known as Ibn Saud, who returned from exile in 1901-1902 and restored his power in Riyadh. He later succeeded in expelling the Rashidids from Najd. In 1913 he drove the Turks out of Al-Hasa.

During the First World War, he managed to further strengthen his position by concluding an agreement with the government of British India in December 1915, according to which he was recognized as the ruler of Najd, Al-Hasa and the annexed territories. After the war, Ibn Saud defeated the Rashidids and in 1921 annexed Shammar. A year later, he entered into a series of agreements with Britain that established borders with Kuwait and Iraq.

In 1924, after the liquidation of the Ottoman Empire and the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, Hussein assumed the title of caliph of all Muslims. Accusing him of unbelief, the Ikhwans invaded the Hijaz in August of the same year and captured Mecca in October, and Hussein was forced to abdicate in favor of his son Ali. A year later, after the surrender of Medina and Jeddah to Ibn Saud, Ali also abdicated. With the help of the Ikhwans, Asir was placed under the control of Ibn Saud - the territory located between the Hijaz and North Yemen. In 1927, under a new treaty with Great Britain, in which, unlike the previous treaty of 1915, provisions were omitted that limited the independence of the state of Ibn Saud, he was recognized as the king of Hijaz and the Sultan of Nejd.

Five years later, in 1932, Ibn Saud changed the name of his state to a new one - the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was recognized by world powers as an independent state.

During the entire subsequent period of Ibn Saud's reign, internal problems did not present any particular difficulties for him. At the same time, the external relations of the kingdom developed ambiguously. The excesses of the Ikhwan led to the alienation of Saudi Arabia from the majority of Muslim governments, who considered the Saudi regime hostile and resented the complete control established by the Wahhabis over the holy cities and the Hajj. Between Ibn Saud and the Hashemite rulers of Iraq and Transjordan - the sons of Hussein, who was overthrown by him - there was mutual hostility. Ibn Saud's relationship with the king of Egypt, whom he suspected of wanting to revive the caliphate and declare himself caliph, could hardly be called warm. In February 1934, Ibn Saud started a war with the Imam of Yemen over the demarcation of the Yemeni-Saudi border. Hostilities were terminated after the signing of an agreement in May 1934.

Border problems also occurred in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula after Ibn Saud in 1933 granted an oil concession to Standard Oil of California. Negotiations with Great Britain over the demarcation of borders with neighboring British protectorates and possessions - Qatar, Trucial Oman, Muscat and Oman and the Eastern Protectorate of Aden ended in failure. Meanwhile, California Arabian Standard Oil, a subsidiary of Standard Oil of California, discovered oil in El Has.

During the war, Saudi Arabia remained neutral. Subsequently, the United States received the right to build an air force base in Dhahran, in Al-Khas, where the headquarters of the ARAMCO company, the former KASOKOLO, was located. At the end of the war, oil production increased significantly, and its exploration continued.

Ibn Saud died in November 1953. All subsequent rulers of Saudi Arabia were sons of Ibn Saud.

In full scale, the changes caused by huge incomes from oil exports appeared already during the reign of Ibn Saud's successor, his second son Saud (b. 1902). The ineffective management of the kingdom's finances and inconsistent domestic and foreign policies led in 1958 to a crisis in public administration, as a result of which Saud was forced to transfer full executive power to his brother Faisal.

Faisal was appointed prime minister. Under him, a permanent cabinet was formed, which was the most important innovation in the power structure. In 1960-1962, Saud regained direct control of the government, once again taking over as prime minister. But already in October 1964, he was removed by members of the royal family, whose decision was confirmed by a fatwa, a decree of the Ulema Council. Faisal was proclaimed king. The new king retained the post of prime minister. This practice continued under his successors.

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, relations between Saudi Arabia and its Arab neighbors improved somewhat, which was a consequence of the creation of the state of Israel and the growing hostility towards it from the Arab countries.

The determination of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser to remove from power any government that stood in the way of the unification of the Arab countries made Saudi Arabia after 1960 the main object of attacks on his part. Beginning in 1962, for five years, Saudi Arabia provided assistance to the deposed imam of North Yemen, while Egypt sent troops there and provided assistance to the Republicans. And although the threat from Abdel Nasser diminished after the withdrawal of Egyptian troops from South Yemen in 1967, as a consequence of the defeat of Egypt in the Arab-Israeli war, Saudi Arabia faced another problem, the revolutionary regime in the People's Republic of South Yemen.

On the Arabian Peninsula, Faisal faced the threat of subversive organizations backed by the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen). Saudi Arabia's problems escalated after the end of the British protectorate over the principalities of the Persian Gulf in 1971. Before leaving the area, the British government tried to convince the local rulers to unite in a federation and reach an agreement with Saudi Arabia on the issue of a common border.

The Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, concluded between the Soviet Union and Iraq in 1972, increased Faisal's fears and pushed him to attempts to unite neighboring countries in an anti-revolutionary coalition. Like the government of North Yemen (the Yemeni Arab Republic, YAR), where moderate republicans came to power after 1967, Faisal supported thousands of southern Yemenis who fled after 1967 to the YAR and Saudi Arabia.

After the Arab-Israeli war in October 1973, Faisal initiated the Arab oil embargo against Western countries, incl. the United States, in order to force them to pursue a more balanced policy towards the Arab-Israeli conflict. Arab solidarity contributed to a quadrupling of oil prices and an increase in the well-being of the Arab oil-producing states.

On March 25, 1975, King Faisal was killed by one of his nephews during a reception. His brother Khaled (1913-1982) came to the throne. Due to Khaled's poor health, much of the power was transferred to Crown Prince Fahd (b. 1922).

The new government continued Faisal's conservative policies, increasing spending on the development of transport, industry and education. After 1974, Saudi Arabia made efforts to reduce the rise in world oil prices. The Saudi government opposed the Egyptian-Israeli peace agreements concluded in 1978-1979, adhering to the common Arab position that they constituted a separate peace that destroyed the hope for a comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli contradictions. Saudi Arabia could not stay away from the rising tide of Islamic fundamentalism that followed the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1978-1979.

The tension in Saudi society was openly manifested in November 1979, when armed Muslim oppositionists seized the main mosque of Mecca. The mosque was liberated by Saudi forces after two weeks of fighting that killed more than 200 people. The armed rebellion led by Juhayman al-Oteiba represented the first open uprising against the monarchy in the country since the founding of the third Saudi state in 1932.

Riots also took place among the Shiites living in the eastern regions (Al-Hasa). In response to these speeches, Crown Prince Fahd announced in early 1980 plans to create an Advisory Council, which, however, was not formed until 1993.

King Khaled died in 1982 and was succeeded by his brother Fahd. In August 1990, shortly after Iraq's occupation of neighboring Kuwait, Fahd authorized the deployment of significant US military forces to Saudi Arabia to protect the country from the increased military threat from Iraq. A multinational force composed of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and other Western, Arab, and Muslim countries succeeded in driving Iraqi forces out of Kuwait in early 1991, and thereby eliminated the immediate threat to Saudi Arabia. After the Gulf War, the government of Saudi Arabia was subjected to powerful pressure from fundamentalists who demanded political reforms, strict adherence to the provisions of Sharia, and the withdrawal of Western countries, especially American troops, from the sacred land of Arabia.

Petitions were sent to King Fahd calling for increased government powers, greater public participation in political life, and greater economic justice.

These actions were followed by the creation in May 1993 of the Committee for the Protection of Legal Rights. However, the government soon banned this organization, and King Fahd demanded that the fundamentalists stop their anti-government agitation.

It is believed that Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda was formed precisely on the meringue of these fundamentalist organizations.

The official name is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Al Mamlaka al Arabiya as Saudiyya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Located in southwest Asia, it occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula. The area is 2240 thousand km2, the population is 23.51 million people. (2002). The official language is Arabic. The capital is the city of Riyadh (over 2.77 million people, with suburbs 4.76 million people). Public holiday - Day of the Proclamation of the Kingdom - September 23 (since 1932). The monetary unit is the Saudi rial (equal to 100 halals).

Member of OPEC (since 1960), UN (since 1971), GCC (since 1981), Arab League, etc.

Landmarks of Saudi Arabia

Geography of Saudi Arabia

It is located between 34° and 56° east longitude and 16° and 32° north latitude. In the east it is washed by the Persian Gulf, in the west and southwest - by the Red Sea. The Red Sea is located between the coasts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, stretched from northwest to southeast. In the northern part of the sea there is an artificial Suez Canal, connecting with the Mediterranean Sea, the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba (off the coast of Saudi Arabia), separated by the Sinai Peninsula. The sandy, in some places rocky shores of the Red Sea are weakly indented throughout and bordered by coral reefs with coral bays. There are few islands, but south of 17 ° north latitude they form numerous groups, one of the largest is the Farasan Islands belonging to Saudi Arabia.

Surface currents are seasonal. In the southern part of the sea, from November to March, the current is directed north-northwest along the coast of the Arabian Peninsula. To the north, this current weakens, meeting with the opposite one, which runs along the coast of Africa. From June to September, there are southern and southeastern currents in the Red Sea. The tides are mostly semi-diurnal. In the northern part of the sea, winds sometimes reach storm strength. The Persian Gulf has shallow depths (average - 42 m), the currents form a cycle counterclockwise. In the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Oman, the direction of the current changes seasonally: in summer from the ocean to the Persian Gulf, in winter - vice versa.

Saudi Arabia is bordered in the north by Jordan and Iraq, in the northwest by Kuwait, Bahrain (marine border), Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The southern borders with Oman and Yemen are not defined.

More than 1/2 of the territory of Saudi Arabia in the southeast is occupied by the Rub al-Khali desert, or the Great Sandy Desert, with an area of ​​approx. 650 thousand km2. In the north of the country is part of the Syrian Desert, and the Nefud Desert, covering an area of ​​approx. 57 thousand km2, extends further to the south. In the center of the country there is a plateau crossed by several small rivers that dry up during the dry season. In the south-west of the country there are small mountain ranges and its highest point - Mount Jabal Saud (3133 m). Narrow coastal plains lie along the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.

The bowels of Saudi Arabia are rich in the most important types of raw materials - oil, natural gas, iron, copper, gold and other non-ferrous metals, there are deposits of rock salt, uranium, etc. In terms of oil reserves, the country ranks first in the world - 25.2%, or 35.8 billion tons. Natural gas reserves 5400 billion m3. Minerals, except for oil and gas, are still poorly studied and are mined in extremely small quantities.

The soils in Saudi Arabia are mostly sandy and stony, gray soils are found in the northern part of Arabia, and red, red-brown soils are found in the south. The most fertile lands are located on the shores of the Red Sea.

The climate is hot, dry, mostly tropical, in the north - subtropical. Average temperatures in July are above +30°С, in January +10-20°C. Precipitation approx. 100 mm per year, in the mountains up to 400 mm. January temperature in Riyadh is +8-21°С, in Jeddah +26-37°С. The July temperature in Riyadh is +26-42°C, and in Jeddah - +26-37°C. However, in the mountains in winter there are sub-zero temperatures and snow.

There are no permanent natural reservoirs on the territory of the country, except for small pools in oases, sometimes temporary lakes form after rains. There are significant reserves of groundwater.

The flora of the inner regions is extremely poor, there are desert grasses, thorny shrubs, in fertile areas - thickets of tamarisk, acacia, in oases - date palms. The fauna is represented by antelopes, foxes, gazelles, hyenas, ostriches, panthers, wild cats, wolves, mountain goats, rabbits, and Indian badgers. Among the birds stand out bustard, dove, quail. From predatory - eagles, falcons. The sea is rich in fish.

population of saudi arabia

In a total population of approx. 23% are non-citizens of the kingdom (2002).

The average annual growth rate of the indigenous population is 3.27% (2002). In 1974 - 92 the population grew from 6.72 to 16.95 million people. The population in the 15-24 age group is growing especially fast.

Birth rate 37.25‰, mortality 5.86‰, infant mortality 49.59 people. per 1000 newborns, average life expectancy is 68.4 years, incl. men 66.7, women 70.2 (2002).

Sex and age structure of the population (2002): 0-14 years - 42.4% (men 5.09 million people, women 4.88 million); 15-64 years old - 54.8% (7.49 million men, 5.40 million women); 65 years and older - 2.8% (men 362.8 thousand people, women 289.8 thousand). Urban population 85.7% (2000). 78% of the population aged 15 and over is literate (84.2% of men and 69.5% of women) (2002).

Ethnic composition: Arabs - 90%, Afro-Asians - 10%. Indigenous Saudis stand out, whose ancestors lived in the country for centuries - approx. 82%, Yemenis and other Arabs who arrived in the country after the 1950s during the oil boom - ca. 13%, nomadic Berbers, whose numbers are declining. Languages: Arabic, European languages ​​are also used.

The state religion is Islam. Almost all Muslims are Sunnis. Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam, founded by the Prophet Muhammad. The whole life of the country is subject to strict laws and rules that have a thousand-year history. Men and women are not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages. The breeding of pigs and the consumption of pork is prohibited. Mecca is the cradle of Islam and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, there is the main shrine of the Muslim world - the ancient sanctuary of the Kaaba. The second religious center is Medina, where the prophet is buried. Among the duties of a Muslim is fasting during Ramadan, the 9th month of the Muslim calendar (from late February to late March), when Muslims abstain from food and drink, avoid spectacles and other pleasures until sunset. One of the pillars of Islam is the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, which must be done at least once in a lifetime. Mecca attracts millions of pilgrims from all over the world.

History of Saudi Arabia

In the 1st millennium BC. On the coast of the Red Sea, the Minyan kingdom arose with its capital in Karna (modern Khoyda in Yemen). On the east coast was Dilmun, which was considered a political and cultural federation on the shores of the Persian Gulf. For almost 1,500 years, no important events took place on the territory of modern Saudi Arabia. In 570 AD Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca, and the teachings of Islam literally turned the whole history of Saudi Arabia upside down. Muhammad's followers, known as caliphs (caliphs), conquered almost the entire Middle East.

The Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula were aware of many technical and construction achievements. In agriculture already in the 5th-6th centuries. an iron plow was used, iron ore was mined and metal was smelted, already in the pre-Islamic era, the Arabs created their original script - the Sabaean script in South Arabia and later, in the 5th century. - Nabataean writing, on the basis of which modern Arabic writing developed.

With the advent of the caliphate, whose capital was first in Damascus and later in Baghdad, the role of the prophet's homeland became less and less significant.

In 1269, almost the entire territory of modern Saudi Arabia was under the rule of Egypt. In 1517, power passed to the rulers of the Ottoman Empire. All R. 18th century The state of Nejd was founded, which was independent of the Ottoman Empire. In 1824 Riyadh became the capital of the state. In 1865, a civil war broke out in the country, and the weakened country was divided among neighboring states. In 1902, Abdelaziz ibn Saud captured Riyadh, and by 1906 his troops controlled almost all of Najd. He achieved the recognition of the state by the Turkish Sultan. Based on the Wahhabi doctrine, Ibn Saud continued the unification of the country under his rule, and by 1926 he was able to practically complete this process. The USSR was the first to establish normal diplomatic relations with the new state in February 1926. In 1927, Ibn Saud achieved recognition by Great Britain of the sovereignty of his state. In 1932 he gave the country the name Saudi Arabia. After that, the penetration of foreign, primarily American, capital into the country, connected with the exploration and development of oil, increased. After the death of ibn Saud in 1953, his son Saud ibn-Abdelaziz became king, who continued to strengthen the position of the country, taking into account the position of the Arab League on pan-Arab issues. In 1958, the need for a more modern policy led to the transfer of the powers of the prime minister to the king's brother Emir Faisal, who expanded the capitalist transformations in the economy. November 7, 1962 was passed a law abolishing slavery.

In August 1965, a 40-year dispute between Saudi Arabia and Jordan over the border was resolved. Since 1966, an agreement was signed with Kuwait on the division into equal parts of the neutral zone on the border of the two countries. Saudi Arabia has acknowledged Jordan's claim to the port city of Aqaba. In 1967 - 1st floor. 1970s Saudi Arabia took an active part in defending the interests of the Arab countries, began to provide large financial assistance to Egypt, Syria, Jordan. The increase in the role of the country was facilitated by the multiple expansion of oil production and export. In 1975, an agreement was signed with Iraq on the equal division of the neutral zone on the border between the countries.

In October 1973, Saudi Arabia imposed an oil embargo on the United States and the Netherlands. Since the 1970s the kingdom began to play an increasingly important role in OPEC. March 25, 1975 Faisal, who became king in November 1964, died in an assassination attempt. In 1975 - 82, Khaled was the king of SA, and Emir Fahd was the prime minister. With the active participation of Fahd, state building and economic modernization of the country began at an accelerated pace. Under the influence of the threat factor in the region from Iran and the Marxist regime in Yemen, Saudi Arabia initiated the strengthening of the armed forces of the monarchies of the Arabian Peninsula and encouraged the strengthening of the American military presence. The Kingdom took an active part in the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in 1991. In March 2001, Saudi Arabia signed a final agreement with Qatar to settle the border dispute between the two countries and a demarcation line was drawn.

State structure and political system of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is an absolute theocratic monarchy with a cabinet of ministers. Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state, the role of the Constitution of the country is performed by the Koran, which defines ethical values ​​and gives instructions. In 1992, the Basic Nizam on Power was adopted - an act regulating the system of government.

Administrative division of the country: 13 administrative regions (provinces, or emirates), within which 103 smaller territorial units have been allocated since 1994.

The largest cities: Riyadh, Jeddah (over 2 million people, with suburbs 3.2 million), Dammam (482 thousand people), Mecca (966 thousand people, with suburbs 1.33 million), Medina (608 thousand people) (2000 estimate).

Principles of public administration: the basis of the legislative system is Sharia - an Islamic code of laws based on the Koran and Sunnahs. The king and the council of ministers operate within the framework of Islamic law. Acts of state come into force by decrees of the king. In public administration, the principles of deliberation (shura), ensuring consensus, equality of all before the law, the source of which is Sharia norms, are applied.

The supreme body of legislative power is the king and the Advisory Council, appointed by the king for 4 years, consisting of 90 members from different strata of society. Council recommendations are submitted directly to the king.

The highest body of executive power is the Council of Ministers (appointed by the king). This body combines executive and legislative functions, develops proposals in the field of domestic and foreign policy.

The king is the head of state, the head of the highest body of legislative power, the head of the highest body of executive power.

The composition of the Advisory Council and the Council of Ministers is appointed by the King. The Advisory Board has a chairman and is half renewed in composition for a new term. The question of the possible introduction of an elected representative body is currently being worked out.

King Abdelaziz ibn Saud, who fought for the unification of the kingdom for 31 years and managed to achieve this by establishing an independent state, which he ruled until 1953, is considered, first of all, King Abdelaziz ibn Saud. He made a great contribution to the formation of statehood. King Fahd ibn Abdelaziz ibn Saud played an important role in the successful implementation of programs for the economic modernization of the country and the use of its potential. Even before accession to the throne, he was the first Minister of Education of the country, developed a plan for reforms in education, during his reign he ensured the constant development of a long-term program of economic reforms and the rise of the authority of Saudi Arabia in the international arena. On November 24, King Fahd assumed the title of "Keeper of the Two Holy Mosques" (the mosques of Mecca and Medina).

In the administrative units of the country, power is exercised by the emir of the province, whose appointment is approved by the king, taking into account the opinion of the inhabitants. Under the emir, there is a council with an advisory vote, including the heads of government agencies in the region and at least 10 citizens. The administrative divisions within the provinces are also headed by emirs, who are responsible to the provincial emir.

There are no political parties in Saudi Arabia. Among the leading organizations of the business community are the Saudi Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Riyadh (which unites the country's major entrepreneurs), several dozens of chambers of commerce in the country. The Supreme Economic Council has recently been established with the participation of representatives of the state and business circles.

The activities of trade unions are not provided for by law. Among other public organizations, the structures involved in the dissemination of Islamic values, primarily the League for the Promotion of Virtue and the Condemnation of Vice, are of great importance. There are more than 114 charitable organizations and more than 150 cooperatives operating in the country. The Saudi Red Crescent Organization has 139 branches throughout the country. Its activities are supported by the state. A system of cultural societies, literary and sports clubs, scout camps has been created. There are 30 sports federations. Clan, tribe, family are the traditional foundations of Saudi society. There are more than 100 tribes in the country, which in the recent past settled in cities in one quarter. They undergo certain changes under the influence of the modern way of life. A group of Muslim clerics and theologians is considered to be an influential social stratum. The strengthening of modern social strata continues: entrepreneurs, workers, intellectuals.

The domestic policy of Saudi Arabia is based on following the Islamic faith in all spheres of life, the government's concern for stability in the country and the well-being of its citizens, and the comprehensive development of the education system, social services, and healthcare.

Foreign policy includes the following principles: Islamic and Arab solidarity, the country's desire to act from a peaceful position in resolving all regional and international conflicts, the active role of Saudi Arabia in international affairs, good neighborly relations with all countries, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

The armed forces consist of the army and the National Guard. The paramilitaries include the forces of the Ministry of the Interior. In 1997, the armed forces of Saudi Arabia numbered 105.5 thousand people, incl. 70 thousand in the Ground Forces, 13.5 thousand in the Navy, 18 thousand in the Air Force and 4 thousand in the Air Defense Forces. The total strength of the National Guard was approx. 77 thousand people (1999). In service with the Air Force (in 2003) there are 294 combat aircraft, not counting transport aircraft, etc. The ground forces are equipped with French and American tanks (1055 units), armored personnel carriers, and Hawk missiles. The air defense troops are equipped with the Patriot and Krotal systems and interceptor fighters. The fleet has several dozen large ships and boats for various purposes, 400 boats are at the disposal of the Coast Guard.

Saudi Arabia has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR in February 1926. In April 1938 diplomatic relations were frozen. Restored at the level of ambassadors in September 1990).

Economy of Saudi Arabia

The economic development of modern Saudi Arabia is characterized by a high share of the oil industry, with a gradual expansion of production in related industries and a number of manufacturing industries.

Saudi Arabia's GDP, calculated at purchasing power parity, was $241 billion. GDP per capita $10,600 (2001). Real GDP growth 1.6% (2001). Share of Saudi Arabia in the world economy (share of GDP) at current prices approx. 0.4% (1998). The country produces almost 28% of the total GDP of the Arab countries. In 1997, Saudi Arabia provided 13.9% of world oil production and 2% of gas. Inflation 1.7% (2001).

Number of employed 7.18 million people (1999). Most of those employed in the economy, approx. 56% is represented by immigrants.

Sectoral structure of the economy in terms of contribution to GDP (2000): agriculture 7%, industry 48%, services 45%. The extractive industry in 2000 accounted for 37.1%, the manufacturing industry - approx. 10%, Structure of GDP by employment: services 63%, industry 25%, agriculture 12% (1999). According to 1999 data, the largest number of employed people is 2.217 million people. - was in the field of finance and real estate, 1.037 million people. - in trade, restaurant and hotel business, 1.020 million people. - in construction. The rest were employed in other sectors of the service sector and in industry, incl. OK. 600 thousand people - in processing.

Many of the well-known large Saudi companies have grown out of traditional family business groups. The industrialization of Saudi Arabia was carried out with the leading role of the state, so the economy is still dominated by companies and corporations with a high share of state capital, private capital is present in them on shares with state capital. There are companies with foreign capital participation. Saudi National Bank Al-Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation grew in the 1970s and 80s. from the oldest money-changing office of the Al-Rajhi family, which owns 44% of the bank's shares. National Industrialization Co. and National Agricultural Development Co. are the first large companies in the country, respectively, industrial and agricultural development, created with a predominance of private capital. Saudi ARAMCO State Oil Company and PETROMIN State Holding Company for Oil and Mineral Resources, with its system of subsidiaries in various fields of the oil industry from oil production to the production of oils, gasoline, etc., includes 14 large companies and is the basis of the entire industry structure. Some of these companies have foreign equity participation (McDermott, Mobile Oil Investment). A similar structure exists in petrochemistry and heavy industry, the central place being occupied by the holding company SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corp.), established in 1976, 70% of whose capital is owned by the state. The role of private capital in this sector of the economy is higher. Among the large companies are "Kemya", "Sharq", "Ibn Sina", "Hadid", "Sadaf", "Yanpet". In other sectors of the economy, Arabian Cement Co. (cement production), Saudi Metal Industries (steel fittings), Az-Zamil Group (real estate, marketing), etc. There are various banks and insurance companies in the country.

The main industry is oil and gas, which provides the production of the most significant share of Saudi Arabia's GDP. It is controlled by the state through state authorized organizations and companies. To con. 1980s The government completed the buyout of all foreign shares in the oil company Saudi Aramco. In the 1960s and 70s. in the country there was a rapid increase in oil production: from 62 million tons in 1969 to 412 million in 1974. This coincided with the outbreak of the world energy crisis in 1973 after the Arab-Israeli war. In 1977, Saudi oil exports generated $36.5 billion in revenue. In the 1980s oil prices have declined, but the oil and gas industry continues to generate significant revenues (ca. 40 billion US dollars per year), amounting to ca. 90% of the country's income from exports. Oil development is carried out in state-owned fields. It is extracted from 30 major deposits and exported through a system of pipelines, oil storage facilities and ports on the coast of the country. In 2000, 441.4 million tons of oil and 49.8 million m3 of gas were produced. Saudi Arabia plays an important role in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). In 2001, the country's quota in OPEC production was more than 7.54 million barrels. oil per day.

In the field of gas utilization, the largest project was the construction in 1975-80 of a unified system for collecting and processing associated gas, through which gas is exported and supplied to petrochemical enterprises. Production volume - 17.2 million tons of liquefied gas (1998). In the field of oil refining, there are 5 largest oil refineries in Yanbu, Rabah, Jeddah, Riyadh and Ras Tannur. The latter processes more than 300 thousand tons. Most of the production is fuel oil and diesel fuel. The production of automobile and aviation gasoline, fuel for jet engines has been launched.

Large SABIC-controlled facilities located in the industrial centers of Jubail, Yanbu and Jeddah carry out petrochemical and metallurgical production. In 1990-96, the volume of production increased from 13 to 22.8 million tons. 12.3 million tons of petrochemical products, 4.2 million tons of fertilizers, 2.8 million tons of metals, 2.3 million tons of plastics were sold on the market. By 1997, the volume of SABIC production reached 23.7 million tons, and by 2000 it was planned to increase production capacity to 30 million tons. Among the petrochemical products are ethylene, urea, methanol, ammonia, polyethylene, ethylene glycol, etc.

The mining industry is underdeveloped. In the beginning. 1997 State-owned mining company established. Gold deposits are currently being developed northeast of Jeddah. In 1998, approx. 5 tons of gold, 13.84 tons of silver. Salt and gypsum are being developed.

From the beginning 1970s In Saudi Arabia, the building materials industry developed rapidly due to the construction boom. The basis of the industry is the production of cement, which increased from 9648 thousand tons in 1979 to 15 776 thousand in 1998. Glass production is developed.

The metallurgical industry is represented by the production of reinforcing steel, steel rod, and some types of shaped steel. Several enterprises have been built.

In 1977, the plant of the Saudi-German truck assembly company began to produce products. There is a small shipyard in Dammam that manufactures oil barges.

Important industries are seawater desalination and energy. The first desalination plant was built in Jeddah in 1970. Now water is supplied from the coast to the central cities. In 1970-95, the capacity of desalination plants increased from 5 to 512 million US gallons of water per year. Approx. 6000 cities and towns across the country. In 1998, electricity generation was 19,753 MW; in 1999, production capacity reached 23,438 MW. In the next two decades, an annual increase in electricity demand of 4.5% is expected. It will be necessary to increase its production to approx. 59,000 MW.

The light, food and pharmaceutical industries are developing rapidly. Light industry is mainly represented by handicraft-type enterprises. The country has more than 2.5 thousand enterprises for the production of food products, tobacco products, 3500 carpet, textile, clothing and footwear, more than 2474 woodworking, 170 printing houses. The government encourages the development of manufacturing enterprises with private capital. As a result of the issuance of licenses in the 1990s. the creation of petrochemical goods and plastics production, metalworking and mechanical workshops, the production of paper products and printing products, food, ceramics, glass and building materials, textiles, clothing and leather products, and woodworking were the top priorities.

The share of agriculture in the country's GDP in 1970 was only 1.3%. During 1970-93, the production of basic foodstuffs increased from 1.79 million to 7 million tons. Saudi Arabia is completely devoid of permanent watercourses. The lands suitable for cultivation occupy less than 2% of the territory. Despite this, agriculture in Saudi Arabia, subsidized by the government and using modern technology and machinery, has become a dynamic industry. Long-term hydrological surveys, begun in 1965, have identified significant water resources suitable for agricultural use. In addition to deep wells throughout the country, Saudi Arabia's agriculture and water industry uses more than 200 reservoirs with a total volume of 450 million m3. Only the agricultural project in Al-Khas, completed in 1977, made it possible to irrigate 12,000 hectares and provide employment for 50,000 people. Other major irrigation projects include the Wadi Jizan project on the Red Sea coast (8,000 ha) and the Abha project in the Asira Mountains to the southwest. In 1998, the government announced a new $294 million agricultural development project. 1990s increased to 3 million hectares, the country began to export food products, food imports decreased from 83 to 65%. According to the export of wheat SA in the 2nd half. 1990s ranked 6th in the world. More than 2 million tons of wheat, more than 2 million tons of vegetables are produced, approx. 580 thousand tons of fruits (1999). Barley, corn, millet, coffee, alfalfa and rice are also grown.

Animal husbandry is developing, represented by the breeding of camels, sheep, goats, donkeys and horses. An important industry is fishing and fish processing. In 1999, approx. 52 thousand tons of fish. Fish and shrimps are exported.

The length of railways is 1392 km, 724 km have two tracks (2001). In 2000, 853.8 thousand passengers and 1.8 million tons of cargo were transported by rail. Road transport has more than 5.1 million vehicles, of which 2.286 million are trucks. Length of roads - 146,524 km, incl. 44,104 km of paved roads. In the 1990s completed the construction of the Trans-Arabian Highway. Pipeline transport includes 6,400 km of pipelines for pumping oil, 150 km for pumping oil products and 2,200 km of gas pipelines, incl. for liquefied gas. Maritime transport has 274 vessels with a total gross tonnage of 1.41 million tons, of which 71 large vessels have a capacity of over 1000 tons. 1000 t, including 30 tankers (including for the transport of chemicals), cargo ships and refrigerators, there are also 9 passenger ships (2002). 90% of goods are delivered to the country by sea. The fleet transported 88.46 million tons of cargo in 1999. The largest ports are Jeddah, Yanbu, Jizan on the Red Sea coast, a number of other ports are expanding. Dammam is the 2nd largest trading port and the country's largest port in the Persian Gulf. Another major port in the Gulf is Jubail. The largest oil port is Ras Tanura, through which up to 90% of oil is exported. There are 25 commercial airports in the kingdom. The largest international airports are King Abdelaziz in Jeddah (the halls can simultaneously accommodate 80 thousand pilgrims, cargo turnover is about 150 thousand tons per year), the airport. King Fahd in Dammam (12 million passengers per year), airports in Riyadh (15 million passengers per year) and Dhahran. Others are airports in Haile, Bisha and Badan. Saudi Arabia is the largest airline in the Middle East. In 1998, 11.8 million passengers were carried.

In Saudi Arabia, the communications system has 3.23 million fixed telephone lines and more than 2.52 million mobile phone users, approx. 570 thousand Internet users (2001). 117 TV channels are broadcast. The country is actively involved in the creation of a pan-Arab satellite communications. There are several national TV and radio channels and approx. 200 newspapers and other periodicals, incl. 13 daily.

Trade is a traditional area of ​​economic activity in Saudi Arabia. Imports are mainly industrial and consumer goods. To encourage national industry, a 20% duty is imposed on goods that compete with locally produced goods. The import of alcohol, drugs, weapons, and religious literature into the country is strictly regulated. Other sectors of the service sector are related to real estate, financial transactions, in which the activities of foreigners are limited.

Until recently, the development of tourism was mainly associated with the service of pilgrims coming to Mecca. Their annual number is approx. 1 million people In con. 1990s the decision was made to make foreign tourism the most important branch of the service sector. In 2000, approx. $14.4 billion. There were 200 hotels in the country.

Modern economic policy is characterized by the participation of the state in the main sectors of the economy and the limitation of the presence of foreign capital. However, with con. 1990s a course is being pursued to simultaneously expand the activity of national private capital, privatization, and stimulate foreign investment. The extraction of oil and gas remains in the hands of the state. Social policy includes the provision of social guarantees for the population, support and subsidies for youth and families. At the current stage, this is combined with the stimulation of training and retraining of national personnel for work in industry and the private sector of the economy.

The country's monetary system is characterized by the provision of the national currency with the help of foreign exchange earnings from oil exports, and a liberal currency regime. The Monetary Agency controls the circulation of money and the banking system. The independent activity of foreign bank capital is not allowed until now. In a number of joint banks with foreign capital, the controlling stake is national. There are 11 commercial banks and special development banks, as well as funds for financial assistance to Arab countries. Banks operate according to the Islamic system, do not charge or pay a fixed percentage.

The state budget of the country is formed by 75% at the expense of oil export revenues. Taxes to con. 1990s were absent, except for the religious one. In 1995, indirect taxes were estimated at 1,300 million Saudi. rials (less than 0.3% of GDP). A corporate income tax and personal income tax are currently being introduced. The introduction of a value added tax, etc. is being considered. The largest budget expenditure items are: defense and security - 36.7%, human resource development - 24.6%, public administration - 17.4%, health care - approx. 9% (2001). Budget revenues 42 billion US dollars, expenditures - 54 billion (2002). There is significant domestic debt. External debt is estimated at $23.8 billion (2001). Gross investment - 16.3% of GDP (2000).

The standard of living of the population of the country is relatively high. Average wage in industry $7,863.43 per year (2000).

The country's trade balance is active. The value of exports is 66.9 billion US dollars, imports are 29.7 billion US dollars. The main export item is oil and oil products (90%). Main export partners: USA (17.4%), Japan (17.3%), South Korea (11.7%), Singapore (5.3%), India. Machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, automobiles, textiles are imported. Main import partners: USA (21.1%), Japan (9.45%), Germany (7.4%), UK (7.3%) (2000).

Science and culture of Saudi Arabia

Great attention is paid to education. In con. 1990s education expenses - St. 18% of the budget, the number of schools at all levels exceeded 21,000. In 1999/2000, the number of students in all forms of education was approx. 4.4 million people, and teachers - more than 350 thousand. Education for girls is managed by a special supervisory board, they were approx. 46% of students in ser. 1990s Education is free and open to all citizens, although not compulsory. The university system includes the Islamic University of Medina, the University of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. King Fahd in Dhahran, University. King Abdelaziz in Jeddah, University. King Faisal (having branches in Dammam and El Hofuf), University. Imam Mohammed ibn Saud in Riyadh, Umm el-Kura University in Mecca and the University. King Saud in Riyadh. There are also 83 institutes. A special department is in charge of schools for sick children. In the scientific and technical town. King Abdelaziz conducted research in the field of geodesy, energy, ecology.

Saudi Arabia is a country with ancient cultural traditions. Many architectural monuments embody Arabic and Islamic fine arts. These are old castles, forts and other monuments in all parts of the country. Among the 12 main museums are the National Museum of Archeology and Folk Heritage, the Al-Masmak Fort Museum in Riyadh. The Saudi Society for Culture and the Arts, with chapters in many cities, organizes art exhibitions and festivals. The art center near Abha hosts exhibitions of local and regional artisans, a library and a theatre. The system of literary clubs and libraries is widely developed. Saudi literature is represented by a wide range of ancient and modern works, poetry (odes, satire and lyrics, religious and social themes) and prose (short story), journalism. Interesting creative festivals. The National Cultural Heritage Festival in Jenadriya, north of Riyadh, brings together local and foreign scholars in the humanities, it involves representatives from all regions of the country, it covers fine arts, folk dances, painting, literature, poetry. The famous camel races are held.

The cultural life is influenced by the Islamic religion. The state has established 210 Islamic cultural centers around the world to explain Islamic culture. Local customs include restraint of behavior, one should not talk to women, except for service personnel. Muslims pray 5 times a day, take off their shoes at the entrance to the mosque. Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Plan
Introduction
1 Founding of the Arab Caliphate
2 Ottoman conquest
3 First Saudi state
4 Second Saudi State
5 Third Saudi State
Bibliography

Introduction

History of Saudi Arabia

First king of Saudi Arabia Abdulaziz ibn Saud

The historical region of the Arabian Peninsula, which today is occupied by western Saudi Arabia, is commonly called Hejaz. From the 1st century, Jewish settlements were founded on these lands. Some information points to the possibility of the existence in the part of the Hijaz already at the end of the 4th century of a kingdom inhabited by Jews and Arabs who converted to Judaism. The Arab tribes were essentially vassals of the largest Jewish tribes of Banu Nadir and Banu Qurayza. At the beginning of the 7th century, an agreement was signed between Jews and Arabs led by Muhammad, which enabled Muhammad to move to Yathrib, later called Medinat an-Nabi (Medina). He failed to convert local Jews to Islam, and after some time relations between Arabs and Jews took on an openly hostile character.

1. Founding of the Arab Caliphate

In 632, with the capital in Mecca, the Arab Caliphate was founded, covering almost the entire territory of the Arabian Peninsula. By the time the reign of the second caliph Omar ibn Khattab (634) began, all Jews were expelled from the Hijaz. By the same time, there is a rule according to which non-Muslims do not have the right to live in Hijaz, and today in Medina and Mecca. As a result of the conquests, by the 9th century the Arab state spread over the territory of the entire Middle East, Persia, Central Asia, Transcaucasia, North Africa, and also Southern Europe.

2. Conquest by the Ottoman Empire

In the XV century, Turkish rule began to be established in Arabia. By 1574, the Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Selim II, had finally conquered the Arabian Peninsula. Taking advantage of the weak political will of Sultan Mahmud I (1730-1754), the Arabs began to make their first attempts to build their own statehood. The most influential Arab families in the Hejaz at that time were Sauds and Rashidis.

3. The first Saudi state

The origin of the Saudi state began in 1744 in the central region of the Arabian Peninsula. The local ruler Mohammed ibn Saud and the founder of Wahhabism Mohammed Abdel-Wahhab united against the Ottoman Empire in order to create a single powerful state. This alliance, concluded in the 18th century, marked the beginning of the ruling Saudi dynasty to this day. After some time, the young state came under pressure from the Ottoman Empire, which was concerned about the strengthening of the Arabs near its southern borders. In 1817, the Ottoman Sultan sent troops under the command of Muhammad Ali Pasha to the Arabian Peninsula, who defeated the relatively weak army of Imam Abdullah. Thus, the First Saudi State lasted 73 years.

4. Second Saudi State

Despite the fact that the Turks managed to destroy the beginnings of Arab statehood, just 7 years later (in 1824) the Second Saudi State was founded with its capital in Riyadh. This state existed for 67 years and was destroyed by the old enemies of the Saudis - the Rashidi dynasty, originally from Ha'il. The Saudi family was forced to flee to Kuwait.

5. Third Saudi State

In 1902, 22-year-old Abdel Aziz from the Saud family captured Riyadh, cracking down on the governor from the Rashidi family. In 1904, the Rashidis turned to the Ottoman Empire for help. They brought in their troops, but this time they were defeated and withdrew. In 1912, Abdel Aziz captured the entire Najd region. In 1920, using the material support of the British, Abdel Aziz finally defeated Rashidi. Mecca was captured in 1925. January 10, 1926 Abdulaziz al-Saud was declared king of the kingdom of Hijaz. A few years later, Abdel Aziz captured almost the entire Arabian Peninsula, the kingdom of Nejd and Hijaz was formed. On September 23, 1932, Nejd and Hijaz were merged into one state, called Saudi Arabia. Abdulaziz himself became the king of Saudi Arabia.

In March 1938, colossal oil fields were discovered in Saudi Arabia. Due to the outbreak of World War II, their development began only in 1946, and by 1949 the country already had a well-established oil industry. Oil has become a source of wealth and prosperity for the state.

The first king of Saudi Arabia pursued a rather isolationist policy. Under him, the country never became a member of the League of Nations. Before his death in 1953, he left the country only 3 times. However, in 1945 Saudi Arabia was a founding member of the UN and the Arab League.

Abdel Aziz was succeeded by his son Saud. His ill-conceived domestic policy led to a coup d'état in the country, Saud fled to Europe, power passed into the hands of his brother Faisal. Faisal made a huge contribution to the development of the country. Under him, the volume of oil production increased many times, which made it possible to carry out a number of social reforms in the country and create a modern infrastructure. In 1973, by removing Saudi oil from all trading floors, Faisal provoked an energy crisis in the West. His radicalism did not find understanding among everyone, and 2 years later Faisal was shot dead by his own nephew. After his death, Saudi Arabia's foreign policy became more moderate under King Khalid. After Khalid, his brother Fahd inherited the throne, and in 2005 - Abdullah.

Notes

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