Saudi Arabia

History

The Saudi state began in central Arabia in about 1750. A country ruler, Muhammad bin Saud, joined forces with an Islamic reformer, Muhammad Abd Al-Wahhab, to create a new political entity. Over the next one hundred and fifty years, the fortunes of the Saud family rose and fell several times as Saudi rulers contended with Egypt, the Ottoman Empire, and other Arabian families for control on the peninsula. The modern Saudi state was founded by the late King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud (known internationally as Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud).

Related Topics:
Muhammad bin Saud - Muhammad Abd Al-Wahhab - Ottoman Empire - Abdul Aziz Al-Saud

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In 1902 Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud captured Riyadh, the Al-Saud dynasty's ancestral capital, from the rival Al-Rashid family. Continuing his conquests, Abdul Aziz subdued Al-Ahsa, Al-Qatif, the rest of Nejd, and the Hijaz between 1913 and 1926. On 8 January 1926 Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud became the King of Hijaz. On 29 January 1927 he took the title King of Nejd (his previous Nejdi title was Sultan). By the Treaty of Jedda, signed on May 20, 1927, the United Kingdom recognized the independence of Abdul Aziz's realm, then known as the Kingdom of Hijaz and Nejd. In 1932, these regions were unified as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Related Topics:
1902 - Riyadh - Al-Rashid - Al-Ahsa - Al-Qatif - Nejd - Hijaz - 1913 - 1926 - 8 January - 29 January - 1927 - Treaty of Jedda - May 20 - United Kingdom - 1932

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The discovery of oil in March 1938 transformed the country economically, and has given the kingdom great legitimacy over the years.

Related Topics:
Oil - 1938

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Besides Liechtenstein, Saudi Arabia remains the only country in the world named after its ruling family. Many opponents of the House of Saud reject the family's legitimacy and decline to speak of the country as "Saudi Arabia".

Related Topics:
Liechtenstein - House of Saud

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