County Name: Saudi Arabia
Flag:
Ancient Crossroads: For centuries, the Arabian Peninsula has been a vital crossroads of civilizations, with ancient trade routes connecting it to Africa, Asia, and Europe. The emergence of Islam in the 7th century, founded by the Prophet Muhammad in Mecca, transformed the region into the centre of the Islamic world. Over time, various Islamic caliphates rose and fell, leaving a lasting impact on the region’s political and cultural landscape.
Early Foundations: In the 18th century, the House of Saud allied with the religious leader Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, founder of the Wahhabi movement, advocating a strict interpretation of Islam. This alliance established the first Saudi state in the central Arabian Peninsula. However, conflicts with the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century led to its collapse.
Revival and Unification: In the early 20th century, Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, known as Ibn Saud, revived the Saudi state. By uniting various Arabian tribes, he consolidated his rule over much of the Arabian Peninsula, culminating in the founding of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. The House of Saud was established as the ruling dynasty.
Oil Boom: The discovery of oil in the 1930s transformed Saudi Arabia’s economy and geopolitical importance. Vast oil reserves propelled the country into a position of global significance, attracting foreign investment and shaping its relationships with other nations.
Modern Era: In the latter half of the 20th century, Saudi Arabia underwent rapid modernization and development fueled by oil wealth. However, the kingdom also faced challenges, including internal dissent, regional conflicts, and tensions with Iran. Despite these challenges, Saudi Arabia continues to play a significant role on the world stage.
Ideology:
Islamic Law/Sharia Law
Monarchy: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy and King Salamn bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his son the crown prince/ acting Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman – the Al Saud Family.
The Royal Court and Council of Ministers:
King Salman
(Reign: 2015 – Current) (Prime Minister: 2015-2022)
Crown Prince/ Prime Minister
(Prime Minister 2022 – current)
Riyadh
(GMT +3)
Total Area:The area is 2.15 million km
Position in world(by total area): 13
Arable Land: 34.1%
Desert Heat: The vast expanse of the Arabian Desert experiences extreme temperatures, with scorching hot summers and mild winters. Rainfall is scarce, often limited to brief, intense downpours.
Coastal Humidity: The western coastal regions along the Red Sea enjoy a humid climate, characterised by hot summers and relatively mild winters. The sea breezes offer some relief from the heat, making these areas more temperate.
Mountain Chill: In the southwestern highlands, the climate shifts to a cooler, more temperate zone. Here, summers are warm, but temperatures can drop significantly during the winter months, with occasional snowfall in the highest peaks.
Seasonal Fluctuations: The eastern regions experience a more continental climate with notable seasonal variations. Summers are extremely hot, while winters can be surprisingly cool, particularly during the night.
Dust Storm Fury: Frequent dust storms sweep across the arid landscapes, reducing visibility and air quality, and posing health risks to residents, especially in desert regions.
Drought’s Stranglehold: Saudi Arabia is highly susceptible to prolonged droughts, impacting water resources and agricultural productivity in a region already challenged by limited rainfall.
Flash Flood Risk: Intense, sporadic rainfalls can lead to sudden flash floods, particularly in urban areas and low-lying regions. These floods can overwhelm drainage systems, causing significant damage.
Earthquake Vulnerability: Certain areas of the country, especially along the tectonic boundaries, are at risk of earthquakes. While not frequent, significant seismic activity can pose threats to infrastructure and safety.
Heatwave Challenge: The extreme summer temperatures can lead to health emergencies, particularly among vulnerable populations. Prolonged heat waves increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and can strain energy resources.
Monarchical Authority: Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy where power is concentrated in the hands of the king. The king serves as both head of state and head of government, with significant authority over all branches of government and the ability to implement policies without legislative approval.
Consultative Assembly: The country has a Shura Council, a consultative assembly that offers advice to the king. While its members are appointed and lack legislative power, the council serves as a platform for discussing national issues and representing various societal interests.
Limited Political Pluralism: Political parties are banned in Saudi Arabia, leading to a political environment dominated by tribal affiliations and informal networks. Political discourse often occurs within the context of royal family dynamics and among influential tribes rather than through formal party politics.
Conservative Influence: The political landscape is heavily influenced by conservative interpretations of Islam, particularly Wahhabism. Religious leaders hold significant sway in governance, shaping laws and societal norms in alignment with Islamic principles.
Economic Diversification Push: Under Vision 2030, the government aims to diversify the economy and reduce its reliance on oil revenues. This initiative has implications for political stability, as economic reforms are seen as essential for social and political continuity amid changing global dynamics.
Regional Dynamics: Saudi Arabia plays a significant role in the Middle East, often positioning itself as a leader among Sunni Arab states. It maintains close ties with countries such as Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain, forming alliances to counter common threats and regional adversaries like Iran and its proxies.
Relations with the West: Saudi Arabia has long-standing strategic partnerships with Western countries, particularly the United States. These alliances are rooted in mutual security interests, energy cooperation, and economic ties
Economic Diplomacy: Saudi Arabia utilises its economic power, particularly its role as the world’s largest oil exporter, to advance its foreign policy objectives. It leverages energy diplomacy to influence global oil markets and build strategic partnerships with energy-consuming countries.
Strategic Location: Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Saudi Arabia controls vital maritime routes, including the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. This position enhances its influence in international trade and security matters.
Oil Power: As one of the world’s largest oil producers, Saudi Arabia holds significant sway over global energy markets. Its vast oil reserves not only fuel the Kingdom’s economy but also provide it with leverage in international diplomacy, especially within organizations like OPEC.
Regional Leadership: Saudi Arabia is a leading player in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and takes a prominent role in Middle Eastern politics. The Kingdom positions itself as a leader among Arab states, often mediating regional conflicts and promoting Arab unity.
Iranian Rivalry: The geopolitical landscape is marked by a rivalry with Iran, stemming from sectarian differences (Sunni vs. Shia) and competition for regional influence. This rivalry has fueled conflicts in countries like Yemen, Syria, and Iraq.
U.S. Alliance: Historically, Saudi Arabia has maintained a close alliance with the United States, rooted in mutual interests such as security cooperation, counterterrorism, and energy stability. This relationship is critical for the Kingdom, especially in the context of regional threats.
United States: The U.S. has been a longstanding ally of Saudi Arabia since the 1930s. The partnership is rooted in mutual interests, including security cooperation, counterterrorism, and energy stability. The U.S. provides military support and advanced weaponry, while Saudi Arabia is a key player in the global oil market.
United Kingdom: The UK maintains a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia, particularly in defense and trade. Both countries collaborate on arms sales, military training, and counterterrorism efforts. The historical ties date back to the early 20th century and continue to influence diplomatic relations.
United Arab Emirates (UAE): The UAE is a close ally and partner in regional initiatives. Both countries collaborate on various fronts, including military operations in Yemen and efforts to counter Iranian influence. The UAE and Saudi Arabia also share economic ties and common goals under the GCC framework.
Egypt: Egypt is a significant ally in the Arab world, and Saudi Arabia has supported its government financially and politically. The two countries work together on various regional issues, including security and counterterrorism, and have collaborated in initiatives to strengthen Arab unity.
Bahrain: Bahrain is one of Saudi Arabia’s closest allies, with strong military and economic ties. The Kingdom supports Bahrain’s monarchy and has intervened in its internal matters, particularly during the Arab Spring protests in 2011.
Jordan: Saudi Arabia has historically supported Jordan, providing financial aid and economic assistance. Both countries cooperate on security issues and share common interests in countering regional threats.
Pakistan: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy a close relationship, grounded in historical, religious, and cultural ties. The Kingdom has provided significant military and economic support to Pakistan and relies on it for security cooperation and counterterrorism efforts.
China: In recent years, Saudi Arabia has strengthened its ties with China, focusing on economic collaboration, investment, and energy cooperation. China is a key partner in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative, and the two countries have engaged in joint projects in technology and infrastructure.
Russia: While historically seen as a rival in energy markets, Saudi Arabia and Russia have collaborated on oil production strategies, particularly through OPEC+ agreements. This partnership reflects a pragmatic approach to stabilising global oil prices.
Government type
Ideology:
Islamic Law/Sharia Law
Monarchy: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy and King Salamn bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his son the crown prince/ acting Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman – the Al Saud Family.
The Royal Court and Council of Ministers:
King Salman
(Reign: 2015 – Current) (Prime Minister: 2015-2022)
Crown Prince/ Prime Minister
(Prime Minister 2022 – current)
Size in the world: 18th
GDP: $1,106 trillion
GDP per capita: $32,881.34
Currency: Saudi Riyal (﷼)
Dominant Economic Sector: Oil & Gas
Market Type: Mixed
Social Landscape
Population: 34,163,875 million
Position: Class distribution
Affluent: 11.01%
Position: Class distribution
Upper Middle: 44.91%
Lower Middle: 33.05%
Deprived: 11.01%
Gina coefficient:
45.6 (where 0 = perfect inequality and 100 = perfect equality)
Language
Official language: Arabic
Other languages: English, Urdu, Malayalam, Tagalog, Hindu, Bengali, Tamil, Punjabi
Language
Dominant Religion: Islam
Other Religion: Christinaity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Shia Islam