Saudi Arabia

A.) history: Saudi Arabia started out as a home for hunters and gatherers. The 1st Saudi State founded in middle 1700s by Muhammad bin Saud to restore the pure teachings of Islam. Fighting for the next 150 years with Egypt, Ottoman Empire, and other Arabian families. Saudi Arabia was taken over by the Ottoman empire. The Saud family takes back their land, and they form the 2nd Saudi State. They made sure that people had rights, and there was a time of peace and prosperity in the country. The Ottoman Empire takes over again, and once more the Saud family takes their land back, and in the process, unites warring tribes into one nation. In the 1920s, Saudi Arabia establishes boundaries with Iraq, Kuwait, and Jordan and neutral areas along those borders. It was named the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. Saudi Arabia becomes the birthplace of the Islam religion when the prophet Muhammad is said to have recieved a message from the Angel Gabriel. Less than 100 years after the Islamic religion is developed, Saudi Arabia becomes part of the Islamic Empire.

B.) religion: Islam- all Saudi Arabian citizens have to be Muslims

C.) population: 28 million (5.6 million of those are resident foreigners). There are less than 100,000 Westerners in Saudi Arabia.

D.) terrorist activity: terrorism- the calculated violence, or threat of violence, against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious in nature through intimidation, coercion, or instilling fear. Terrorsim in Saudi Arabia, for the most part, is caused by radical Islamic fighters. They target foreigners (usually westerners), and Saudi citizens, and sometimes security forces. In 2005, Saudi Arabia decides to aid in the counter terrorism efforts of the United States.

E.) major exports: oil/petroleum (leading exporter of oil in the world)

F.) Type of government: Monarchy

G.) military: branches of military-Saudi Arabia Army, Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Royal Saudi Air Force, & Royal Saudi Air Defense. The military is a major helper in the unemployment problem in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia also depends on the West a lot for military assistance.

King of Saudi Arabia