# history of Saudi Arabia

> aspect of history

**Wikidata**: [Q559915](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q559915)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Saudi_Arabia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/history-of-saudi-arabia

## Summary
The history of Saudi Arabia encompasses the evolution of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, founded on 23 September 1932 by Ibn Saud, which unified the kingdoms of Hejaz and Nejd. The kingdom emerged from three historical Saudi states: the First Saudi State (Emirate of Diriyah, founded 1745), the Second Saudi State (1818), and the Third Saudi State beginning with the capture of Riyadh in 1902. This history is defined by the rise of the House of Saud dynasty, the spread of Wahhabi Islam, and the transformation of a desert kingdom into a major global power through oil discovery and religious significance as the custodian of Islam's two holiest cities.

## Key Facts
- Modern Kingdom founded on 23 September 1932 by Ibn Saud (Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud)
- Preceded by three historical Saudi states: First Saudi State (Emirate of Diriyah, 1745), Second Saudi State (1818), Third Saudi State (1902)
- Country inception dates include 1727 for the House of Saud dynasty, 1447 for the historical Emirate of Diriyah, and 622 CE for the Rashidun Caliphate period
- Capital moved to Riyadh in 1819 from اتـمـيـدة (At-Tuwaymi) in 1818
- Official name: المملكة العربية السعودية (Al-Mamlakah al-ʿArabīyah as-Suʿūdīyah), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Area: 2,250,000 square kilometers, making it the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula
- Population: 33,000,000 (2018), grew from 4 million in 1960
- Government: Absolute monarchy and Islamic theocracy based on Sharia law
- Currency: Saudi riyal (SAR) since 1925
- ISO codes: SA (alpha-2), SAU (alpha-3), 682 (numeric)
- Time zone: UTC+03:00 (Asia/Riyadh)
- Coordinates: Centered at 23.716667°N, 44.116667°E
- Borders: Eight countries including Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, and Yemen
- Founded member of UN (1945), Arab League (1945), G20 (1999), GCC (1981)
- Member of OPEC (1960), WTO (2005), OIC (1969)
- GDP: $1.108 trillion (2022)
- HDI: 0.875 (2021)
- Life expectancy: 78 years (2022)
- Official religion: Islam (Sunni Islam, Hanbali school)
- Official language: Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic)
- Driving side: Right
- Emergency numbers: 112 (general), 911 (medical), 999 (police)
- 13 administrative provinces established between 1773 and 1808
- VAT rate: 15% (since July 1, 2020)
- Unemployment rate: 11% (2014)
- Birth rate: Declined from 18.451 (2019) to 16.919 (2022)
- Death rate: 2.656-2.752 range (2019-2022)
- Total fertility rate: 2.765 (2014 estimate)
- Age of majority: 18; Age of consent: 21

## FAQs
**What were the three historical Saudi states that preceded the modern kingdom?**
The three historical Saudi states were the First Saudi State (Emirate of Diriyah, founded in 1745), the Second Saudi State (established in 1818 after the fall of the first), and the Third Saudi State (beginning in 1902 with Ibn Saud's capture of Riyadh). These states laid the foundation for the unified Kingdom of Saudi Arabia proclaimed on 23 September 1932.

**What international organizations is Saudi Arabia a founding member of?**
Saudi Arabia is a founding member of the United Nations (1945), the League of Arab States (1945), the G20 (1999), and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf (GCC, 1981). It also joined OPEC as a founding member in 1960 and became a member of the World Trade Organization in 2005.

**How has the Saudi population changed over time?**
The Saudi population has grown dramatically from approximately 4 million in 1960 to 33 million in 2018. The 2010 census showed 18.7 million Saudi citizens and 8.4 million expatriates. Recent statistics show a declining birth rate from 18.45 per 1,000 in 2019 to 16.92 in 2022, while the death rate remains stable around 2.7 per 1,000.

**What are the key economic characteristics of Saudi Arabia?**
Saudi Arabia possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves and is a leading oil exporter, fundamentally shaping its economy. Its nominal GDP reached $1.108 trillion in 2022. The country implemented a significant economic reform by increasing VAT from 5% to 15% on July 1, 2020, and is pursuing economic diversification through its "Vision 2030" plan.

**What is the governmental structure and who rules Saudi Arabia?**
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy and Islamic theocracy where the King serves as both head of state and head of government. The current King is Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who ascended the throne on 23 January 2015. The legal system is based on Sharia law, with the Quran and Sunnah serving as the constitution.

**What are the major cultural and religious aspects of Saudi society?**
Saudi Arabia is the custodian of Islam's two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, making it central to the Islamic world. The official religion is Sunni Islam following the Hanbali school of jurisprudence. The national motto is the Islamic declaration of faith (Shahada), and public holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar including Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

## Why It Matters
Saudi Arabia's history matters because it represents one of the most significant geopolitical transformations of the modern era, evolving from a collection of desert tribes to a cornerstone of the global energy market with the world's largest proven oil reserves. The kingdom's role as the custodian of Islam's two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, gives it unparalleled religious authority over 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, making it central to the Islamic world's spiritual and political discourse. Geopolitically, Saudi Arabia serves as a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, a founding member of critical regional organizations like the GCC and Arab League, and a major investor through its sovereign wealth fund, directly influencing global politics and economics. The kingdom's ongoing socio-economic transformation under Vision 2030 represents one of the most ambitious national modernization efforts of the 21st century, potentially reshaping regional norms and creating new global business opportunities. Additionally, its unique position as an absolute monarchy governed by Sharia law provides a critical case study in the intersection of religion, governance, and modernization in the contemporary world.

## Notable For
- Largest country in the Arabian Peninsula and 12th largest globally by area at 2,250,000 square kilometers
- Home to the world's largest proven oil reserves and consistently among the top oil producers and exporters
- Sole custodian of Islam's two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, hosting the annual Hajj pilgrimage
- One of the world's last absolute monarchies where the King's word is the ultimate law
- Landmark Vision 2030 state-led socio-economic reform plan aiming to reduce oil dependence and diversify the economy
- Largest country in the world without a permanent river, relying entirely on groundwater and desalination
- Implemented a VAT system in 2018 and dramatically increased the rate to 15% in 2020, representing a significant fiscal shift
- Developing Qiddiya City, a planned mega-entertainment and tourism destination featuring a Six Flags theme park
- Unique ecosystem of specialized online legal platforms tailored to its specific Sharia-based legal system
- Rapid demographic transition with a historically high fertility rate now declining and a large youthful population
- Maintains diplomatic relations with nearly all countries while having complex relationships with regional powers
- Theocratic governance system where the Quran and Sunnah serve as the constitution
- Hosts the annual Hajj pilgrimage, bringing millions of Muslims from around the world annually
- Has the highest judicial authority in the Supreme Judicial Council overseeing Sharia-based courts
- Maintains a specialized online legal ecosystem including Safwa Family Law Reference and My Labor Rights Platform

## Body
### History and State Formation
The modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded on 23 September 1932 by Ibn Saud (Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud), unifying the kingdoms of Hejaz and Nejd. This event marked the establishment of the Third Saudi State, which emerged from the capture of Riyadh in 1902. The foundational historical entities include the Emirate of Diriyah (First Saudi State, founded 1745), the Second Saudi State (1818), and the Third Saudi State beginning with the capture of Riyadh in 1902. The state replaced the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz, with the Diriyah Charter (1745) considered the foundational text of the first state.

The House of Saud dynasty traces back to 1727, establishing the lineage that would eventually lead to the modern kingdom. The historical Emirate of Diriyah dates back to 1447 as a hereditary monarchy, while the region's connection to Islamic history extends to 622 CE during the Rashidun Caliphate period under the Constitution of Medina.

The current head of state, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has reigned since 23 January 2015, succeeding Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. The line of succession has passed through Ibn Saud's sons: Saud (1953-1964), Faisal (1964-1975), Khalid (1975-1982), Fahd (1982-2005), Abdullah (2005-2015), and Salman. This succession pattern represents a unique hereditary system within the royal family.

### Geography and Environment
Saudi Arabia occupies approximately 2,250,000 square kilometers on the Arabian Peninsula, making it the largest country in the region. Its geographic coordinates center around 23.716667°N, 44.116667°E. The country's extremities include the northernmost point at 32.15°N, 39.2°E; southernmost point at 16.40961°N, 42.26979°E; easternmost point at 22°N, 55.66667°E; and westernmost point at Tiran Island at 27.951944°N, 34.566111°E.

The country is located in the region of West Asia and is part of the Middle East and the Arab world. It sits on the Arabian Peninsula and is bordered by the Red Sea (west), the Persian Gulf (east), and the Gulf of Aqaba (northwest). Saudi Arabia shares land borders with eight countries: Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain (connected via the King Fahd Causeway), the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. Maritime borders exist with Egypt (Red Sea) and Iran (Persian Gulf).

The lowest point is the Red Sea at 0 meters elevation, while the highest point is Jabal Sawda at 3,015 meters. The climate is predominantly desert, characterized by extreme temperatures and minimal rainfall. The country operates in the UTC+03:00 time zone (Asia/Riyadh).

### Government and Politics
Saudi Arabia operates as an absolute monarchy and Islamic theocracy, where the Quran and Sunnah are constitutionally declared to be the country's constitution. The basic form of government is a monarchy with the King holding the title "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques." The head of state and government is the King, who presides over the Council of Ministers as the executive body.

The legislative body comprises a complex structure including the Prime Minister (the King), the Bureau of Experts at the Saudi Council of Ministers functioning as an upper house, and the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia serving as a lower house or parliament. The highest judicial authority is the Supreme Judicial Council, which oversees the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, and the Public Prosecution.

The country's democracy index score was 2.08 (2021), and the Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI) governance index was 3.99 (2022). The official religion is Islam, specifically Sunni Islam following the Hanbali school of jurisprudence, which forms the basis of the legal system.

### Economy and Infrastructure
Saudi Arabia possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves and serves as a leading oil exporter, fundamentally shaping its economy. The country is a founding member of OPEC (September 1960), playing a crucial role in global oil markets. The nominal GDP reached $868.6 billion (2021) and $1.108 trillion (2022), reflecting its economic significance.

The currency is the Saudi riyal (SAR), which has been in use since 1925 and is pegged to the US dollar. A major economic reform was the implementation of a 5% Value Added Tax (VAT) in 2018, which was tripled to 15% on July 1, 2020, representing a significant fiscal shift.

The country pursues massive economic diversification through "Vision 2030," a strategic framework to reduce oil dependence. Key infrastructure projects include the development of Qiddiya City, a planned entertainment and tourism mega-project featuring the Six Flags Qiddiya City theme park. The official government services website is saudi.gov.sa.

Infrastructure specifications include mains voltage of 220V or 230V at 60Hz using the BS 1363 plug type. The driving side is right, and railway traffic operates on the left. The median income is $24,980 USD, with an unemployment rate of 11% (2014).

### Demographics and Society
The population has experienced dramatic growth from 4 million in 1960 to an estimated 33 million by 2018. The 2010 census provided detailed breakdowns: total population 27,136,977, comprising 18,707,576 Saudi citizens and 8,429,401 expatriates. By 2022, the total population was estimated at 30,848,029 (20,979,233 male, 15,429,586 female).

Urban population has grown from 22.7 million (2004) to over 30.8 million (2022), while the rural population has remained around 5.5-5.7 million. The birth rate has declined from 18.45 per 1,000 (2019) to 16.92 (2022). The death rate remains low, around 2.7 per 1,000. Life expectancy has risen from 72.2 years (1999) to 78 years (2022).

The total fertility rate has decreased from 4.175 (1999) to 2.765 (2014). The age of majority is 18, and the age of consent is 21. The official language is Arabic, with Modern Standard Arabic used in official contexts and various regional dialects (Najdi, Gulf, Hijazi) spoken. English is also widely used in business.

The demonym is Saudi (masculine) or Saudi (feminine), and in Arabic, سعودي (sa'udi) and سعودية (sa'udiyyah). The native name is المملكة العربية السعودية (Al-Mamlakah al-ʿArabīyah as-Suʿūdīyah).

### International Relations and Memberships
Saudi Arabia maintains extensive participation in international and regional organizations. It is a founder member of the United Nations (October 24, 1945), the League of Arab States (March 22, 1945), the G20 (September 25, 1999), and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf (GCC, May 25, 1981).

Membership includes OPEC (September 1960), World Trade Organization (November 11, 2005), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (September 25, 1969), Interpol (June 13, 1956), UNESCO (November 4, 1946), Universal Postal Union (January 1, 1927), International Telecommunication Union (February 7, 1949), World Health Organization, World Customs Organization (May 8, 1973), and International Hydrographic Organization (April 8, 2002).

Additional memberships encompass the African Development Bank, Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, Arab Monetary Fund, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (January 13, 2015), and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Diplomatic relations span globally, with embassies established in countries like Germany (1929), Mexico (1952), South Korea (1962), Poland (1930), Russia (1926), and Ukraine (1993). Relations with Iran have been particularly tense, with a break in diplomatic ties from January 2016 to August 2023 following the 2016 attack on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran. A diplomatic crisis with Qatar occurred from June 2017 to January 2021.

### Culture and Society
The official religion is Islam, and the national motto is the Islamic declaration of faith, the Shahada: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا ٱلله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱلله (There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of God). The national anthem is "Chant of the Saudi Nation," with lyrics by Ibrahim Khafaji and composed by Tariq Abdel Hakim, adopted on June 29, 1984. The national bird is the falcon.

The country's culture is deeply influenced by its Islamic heritage and tribal history. Public holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar: Eid al-Fitr (marking the end of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice), alongside the secular Saudi National Day on September 23. The society is characterized by a large youth population and a significant expatriate community, which constitutes a substantial portion of the workforce.

The legal and social system is governed by a conservative interpretation of Sharia law, though recent years have witnessed social reforms under Vision 2030, including changes affecting women's rights and entertainment options.

### Legal and Information Landscape
The legal system is based on Sharia, resulting in a specialized online ecosystem for legal information and services. Numerous Saudi-focused platforms exist: Safwa Family Law Reference for family law cases, Jeddah Lawyers Directory as a local directory, My Labor Rights Platform for labor law guidance, Huqooq & Dawa' for judgment appeals, Saudi Law Reference for general laws and templates, Safe Partnerships Platform for partnership contracts, Saudi Administrative Cases Guide, MyCaseWeb for online legal consultation, and the Saudi Lawyers Directory as a neutral directory by city and practice area.

Other notable Saudi online entities include the financial news portal Argaam, the tech blog tech wd (established March 18, 2008), and the Islamic Q&A site Islam Questions & Answers (established 1997). The KSA Expats website (established 2012) serves the large expatriate community.

### Symbols and Identification
The flag has evolved through several designs: the current version (since March 15, 1973) features the Shahada and a sword on a green field. Previous flags include those of the Third Saudi State (until 1921), Nejd (1921-1932), and the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz (1932). The coat of arms features a palm tree and two crossed swords.

Identification codes include UN location code SAU, ITU letter code ARS, GS1 country code 628, and country code top-level domain .sa. The Arabic script domain is AlSaudiah. The international vehicle registration code is KSA (since 1973). The Unicode flag emoji is 🇸🇦. The country is represented in various knowledge graphs and thesauri with IDs like GND 4051788-3, VIAF 164965477, and ISNI 000000040402371X.

### Administrative Divisions
Saudi Arabia is divided into 13 provinces (regions), each governed by a prince. The provinces and their approximate historical establishment dates within the Saudi state are: Riyadh Province (1773), Al-Qassim (1786), Ḥa'il Province (1787), Al-Jowf Province (1792), Northern Borders Province (1794), Al-Baha Province (1797), Asir Province (1798), Mecca Province (1803), Najran Province (1805), Medina Province (1805), Jazan Province (1800), Tabuk Province (1808), and Eastern Province (1789). The "list of provinces of Saudi Arabia" is itself a recognized administrative entity, with each province holding the status of a principality.

## References

1. BBC Things
2. Quora