[155] Royal decrees supplement Sharia in areas such as labour, commercial and corporate law. [587] In the state school system, about half of the material taught is religious. "KSA" redirects here. The rate of local unemployment is 12.9%, its highest in more than a decade. [63] The Midianites were depicted in two major events in the Bible that recount Israel's two wars with Midian, somewhere in the early 11th century BC. [37] In addition to being a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Saudi Arabia is an active and founding member of the United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Arab League, Arab Air Carriers Organization and OPEC. WebCountry HDI 2021 data (2021-2022 report) rankings; Very high human development 1 United Arab Emirates: 0.911 2 Bahrain: 0.875 2 Saudi Arabia: 0.875 4 Qatar: 0.855 5 Kuwait: The WHO had earlier classified three Saudi Arabian cities, Ad Diriyah, Jalajil, and Al-Jamoom as "Healthy city", as part of the WHO Healthy Cities Program. "[307] The Saudi government denies these claims or that it exports religious or cultural extremism. [77], In 1953, Saud of Saudi Arabia succeeded as the king of Saudi Arabia, on his father's death, until 1964 when he was deposed in favour of his half brother Faisal of Saudi Arabia, after an intense rivalry, fuelled by doubts in the royal family over Saud's competence. It contains paleolake deposits related with Middle Pleistocene materials. [186] In 2010, investigations by both US and UK authorities resulted in plea bargain agreements with the company, by which it paid $447 million in fines but did not admit to bribery. Challenges to the Saudi economy include halting or reversing the decline in per-capita income, improving education to prepare youth for the workforce and providing them with employment, diversifying the economy, stimulating the private sector and housing construction, and diminishing corruption and inequality. [114] Neither entirely succeeded as Islamism continued to grow in strength. [309] Congress overwhelmingly rejected President Barack Obama's veto. [49][50] Aside from horses, animals such as sheep, goats, dogs, in particular of the Saluki breed, ostriches, falcons and fish were discovered in the form of stone statues and rock engravings. One journalist states that 51% of the Saudi population is under the age of 25: The Economist magazine lists an estimated nine million: Willem Adriaan Veenhoven and Winifred Crum Ewing (1976). [4] [149][374] Though there are lakes in the country, Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the world by area with no permanent rivers. Al-Magar statues were made from local stone, and it seems that the statues were fixed in a central building that might have had a significant role in the social and religious life of the inhabitants. [291], Jeremy Hunt, the UK Foreign Secretary, on his visit to Saudi Arabia and the UAE on 12 November 2018, is expected to raise the need for a ceasefire from all sides in the four-year-long Yemen civil war. "[284], The US expects its Gulf allies involved in the coalition in Yemen to put in more efforts and address the rising concerns about the millions that have been pushed to the brink of famine. With the first phase of Saudization into effect, 70% of sales jobs are expected to be filled by Saudis. By the 1950s this had led to large governmental deficits and excessive foreign borrowing. However, the private sector still remains hugely dominated by foreigners. Saudi Arabia is now completely self-sufficient in a number of foodstuffs, including meat, milk, and eggs. [18] Following his death in 632, his followers rapidly expanded the territory under Muslim rule beyond Arabia, conquering huge and unprecedented swathes of territory (from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to parts of Central and South Asia in the east) in a matter of decades. Petroleum was discovered in 1938 and followed up by several other finds in the Eastern Province. With the advent of the oil-wealth in the 20th century came exposure to outside influences, such as Western housing styles, furnishings, and clothes. WebEnvironment-friendly and renewable energy resources are the need of each developed and undeveloped country. He said Saudi Arabia provided $65 billion for 2,300 humanitarian projects in 167 countries between 2000 and 2023. Note: Percentile ranks are calculated using the latest available data for all countries within the last 5 years. However, there is evidence that the vast majority was, in fact, spent on propagating and extending the influence of Wahhabism at the expense of other forms of Islam. ", "Welcome to the Saudi Arabia vs. Canada Troll War", "Turkey seeks answers from Saudi Arabia on missing journalist", "Saudi Arabia and U.S. [554] Foreigners who have resided in the kingdom and hold degrees in various scientific fields may apply for Saudi citizenship,[555][556] and exception made for Palestinians who are excluded unless married to a male Saudi national, because of Arab League instructions barring the Arab states from granting them citizenship. The creation of the Consultative Council in the early 1990s did not satisfy demands for political participation, and, in 2003, an annual National Dialogue Forum was announced that would allow selected professionals and intellectuals to publicly debate current national issues, within certain prescribed parameters. [346] Mass executions, such as those carried out in 2016, in 2019, and in 2022, have been condemned by international rights groups. He invited the Kuwaiti government and many of its citizens to stay in Saudi Arabia, but expelled citizens of Yemen and Jordan because of their governments' support of Iraq. [513][514][515][516], Memorization by rote of large parts of the Qur'an, its interpretation and understanding (Tafsir) and the application of Islamic tradition to everyday life is at the core of the curriculum. [603] Polygamy is permitted for men,[613] and men have a unilateral right to divorce their wives (talaq) without needing any legal justification. [426], The Kingdom's most dramatic agricultural accomplishment, noted worldwide, was its rapid transformation from importer to exporter of wheat. [376], In the spring and autumn the heat is temperate, temperatures average around 29C (84F). [552], Foreigners cannot apply for permanent residency, though a specialized Premium Residency visa became available in 2019. WebAccording to the IMF definition, there are 152 developing countries with a current population of around 6.74 billion. [277] Following the Arab Spring Saudi Arabia offered asylum to deposed President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia and King Abdullah telephoned President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt (prior to his deposition) to offer his support. "[341], According to the new report from the Department of Global Affairs, Canada sold record-breaking amount of military hardware to Saudi Arabia in 2019, despite its poor human rights record. [518][526], In 2021, the Washington Post newspaper published a report on the measures taken by Saudi Arabia to clean textbooks from paragraphs considered antisemitic and sexist. [213] Extra-Sharia government tribunals usually handle disputes relating to specific royal decrees. Developed countries have generally more advanced post-industrial economies, meaning the service sector provides more [590] Shias also face systematic discrimination in employment, education, the justice system according to Human Rights Watch. [671], Saudi Arabia, in its vision for modernization, introduced the nation to a number of international sporting events, bringing sports stars to the kingdom. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was officially founded in 1932, and in the nearly nine decades since its establishment, it has grown into one of the wealthiest nations on Earth. [20][21][22] The ultraconservative Wahhabi religious movement within Sunni Islam has been described as a "predominant feature of Saudi culture",[21][23] although some moves to curtail the religious establishment and push a heightened emphasis on national identity and history over religious one have been made by the government in recent years. The confidential report obtained by the media house stated that the kingdom was assisted by Chinese geologists to produce over 90,000 tonnes of uranium from three major deposits in the centre and northwest of Saudi, near the NEOM megacity development. Web5 Handbook on the Least Developed Country Category: Inclusion, Graduation and Special Support Measures, 4th ed. [572] The Saudi government has often been viewed as an active oppressor of Shia Muslims because of the funding of the Wahhabi ideology which denounces the Shia faith. [149] Saudi Arabia is home to more than 2000 dormant volcanoes. WebSince 2006, Saudi Arabian politicians, economists and sociologists have had to consider the implications of their country's King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP). [557], Saudi Arabia has centuries-old attitudes and traditions, often derived from Arab civilization. Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates South Asia Yemen Iran (Islamic The government has also made an attempt at "Saudizing" the economy, replacing foreign workers with Saudi nationals with limited success.[406]. Before 2010, Saudi Arabia had no policies banning or restricting smoking. Following the amalgamation of the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd, the new state was named al-Mamlakah al-Arabyah as-Sadyah (a transliteration of in Arabic) by royal decree on 23 September 1932 by its founder, Abdulaziz bin Saud. Saudi Arabia is home to the world's third-largest immigrant population. Within the framework of the 2016 National Transformation Program, also known as Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom allocated 900 million euros to preserve its historical and cultural heritage. "[575], Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries that have "religious police" (known as Haia or Mutaween), who patrol the streets "enjoining good and forbidding wrong" by enforcing dress codes, strict separation of men and women, attendance at prayer (salat) five times each day, the ban on alcohol, and other aspects of Sharia (Islamic law). [244][245], In the Arab and Muslim worlds, Saudi Arabia is considered to be pro-Western and pro-American,[247] and it is certainly a long-term ally of the United States. In 2018, the Al Jouf Agricultural Development Company received a certificate of merit from The Guinness World Records for the largest modern olive plantation in the world. [347], Saudi Arabian law does not recognize sexual orientations or religious freedom, and the public practice of non-Muslim religions is actively prohibited. [553] Only Muslims can become Saudi citizens. [338] In 2017, Saudi Arabia signed a 110 billion dollar arms deal with the United States. [327] Its modern high-technology arsenal makes Saudi Arabia among the world's most densely armed nations, with its military equipment being supplied primarily by the US, France, and Britain. The United Nations Saudi Arabia employed the United Nations Framework for the immediate [164] Ideological divisions include issues over the speed and direction of reform,[165] and whether the role of the ulema should be increased or reduced. [429] Consuming non-renewable groundwater resulted in the loss of an estimated four-fifths of the total groundwater reserves by 2012. In 930, the Qarmatians pillaged Mecca, outraging the Muslim world, particularly with their theft of the Black Stone. The new system is a nationwide performance indicator, for services and hospitals. [48] The culture is characterized as being one of the world's first to involve the widespread domestication of animals, particularly the horse, during the Neolithic period. ; muhafazah). At the same time, the Ikhwan became disenchanted with Ibn Saud's domestic policies which appeared to favour modernization and the increase in the number of non-Muslim foreigners in the country. [82] They were overthrown by the Usfurids in 1253. [152] In 2009, the king made significant personnel changes to the government by appointing reformers to key positions and the first woman to a ministerial post;[190][191] however, these changes have been criticized as being too slow or merely cosmetic. Midian, Moab and Edom: The History and Archaeology of Late Bronze and Iron Age Jordan and North-West Arabia p. 163. [58], By 2200 BC, the centre of Dilmun shifted for unknown reasons from Tarout and the Saudi Arabian mainland to the island of Bahrain, and a highly developed settlement emerged there, where a laborious temple complex and thousands of burial mounds dating to this period were discovered. On the Red Sea coast, there is a narrow coastal plain, known as the Tihamah parallel to which runs an imposing escarpment. WebAlthough GDP offers a fair gauge of whether or not a nation is developed, there are some exceptions. [68] The second stage of the kingdom saw the transformation of Dedan from a mere city-state of which only influence they exerted was inside their city walls, to a kingdom that encompasses much wider domain that marked the pinnacle of Lihyan civilization. [523], The approach taken in the Saudi education system has been accused of encouraging Islamic terrorism, leading to reform efforts. But this was always a false choice, and in any case, Saudi Arabia is not as stable as it once was. [149] This process is not reported by the Saudi media. However, November 2022 reports revealed that the authorities executed 17 people in 10 days over non-violent drug charges. Institutions of higher education include the country's first university, King Saud University founded in 1957, the Islamic University at Medina founded in 1961, and the King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah founded in 1967. In return, the Al ash-Sheikh support the Al Saud's political authority[204] thereby using its religious-moral authority to legitimize the royal family's rule. [638] In July 2019, UNESCO signed a letter with the Saudi Minister of Culture in which Saudi Arabia contributed US$25 million to UNESCO for the preservation of heritage.[639]. [209] Saudi judges tend to follow the principles of the Hanbali school of jurisprudence (fiqh) found in pre-modern texts[210] and noted for its literalist interpretation of the Qur'an and hadith. This and the presence of increasingly large numbers of foreign workers greatly affected traditional Saudi norms and values. Changes have been made to lessen these restrictions; however, some government-led efforts to control information have also drawn international attention. [455] Most Saudis live in the Hejaz (35%), Najd (28%), and the Eastern Province (15%). [302] American politicians and media accused the Saudi government of supporting terrorism and tolerating a jihadist culture. [484][485] Estimates of the Sunni population of Saudi Arabia range between 85% and 90%, with the remaining 1015% being Shia Muslim,[486][487][488][489] practicing either Twelver Shi'ism or Sulaymani Ismailism. The first was the Iranian Islamic Revolution. In response, a number of limited reforms were initiated by King Fahd. [391] [111] Khalid's reign saw economic and social development progress at an extremely rapid rate, transforming the infrastructure and educational system of the country;[77] in foreign policy, close ties with the US were developed. [333] In May 2012, British defence giant BAE signed a 1.9bn ($3bn) deal to supply Hawk trainer jets to Saudi Arabia.[334]. Flat, unleavened taboon bread is a staple of virtually every meal, as are dates, fresh fruit, yoghurt, and hummus. Theresa May backed the US call to end the coalition. [87] Their rule extended from Iraq to Oman at its height and they too came under Ottoman suzerainty. Africa; Americas; South-East Asia; Europe; Eastern Mediterranean; Western Pacific; WHO validates Saudi Arabia for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem. ", "Discovery points to roots of arabian breed Features", "These may be the world's first images of dogsand they're wearing leashes", "The expansion of Acheulean hominins into the Nefud Desert of Arabia", "Saudi Arabia discovers new archaeological site dating back to 350,000 years", "Saudi Arabia discovers a 350,000-year-old archaeological site in Hail", "Ancient site in Nefud Desert offers glimpse of early human activity in Saudi Arabia", The World around the Old Testament: The People and Places of the Ancient Near East, "Louvre Museum in Paris to display Saudi Arabia's ancient AlUla statue", The political map of Arabia and the Middle East in the third century AD revealed by a Sabaean inscription, "Expansion and Contraction Patterns of Large Polities: Context for Russia", Reaching for Power: The Shi'a in the Modern Arab World, "Saudi Arabia to commemorate 'Founding Day' on Feb. 22 annually: Royal order", "History of the Kingdom | kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs", "History of Saudi Arabia. The fertile areas are to be found in the alluvial deposits in wadis, basins, and oases. "[404] The Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) of the Saudi stock exchange peaked at 16,712.64 in 2005, and closed at 8,535.60, at the end of 2013. TALIS 2018 Country Note Volume II - Saudi Arabia. Web*As of the close of the last business day of the month except for MSCI Saudi Arabia, MSCI Argentina and MSCI Russia Indexes. A similar situation is playing out in Saudi Arabia. [58], By the late Bronze Age, a historically recorded people and land (Midian and the Midianites) in the north-western portion of Saudi Arabia are well-documented in the Bible. They were beaten, tortured, and electrocuted. Oil provided Saudi Arabia with economic prosperity and substantial political leverage internationally. The beginning of the Twentieth century ushered the Third Era of the blessed Saudi Reign paving the way for the dawn of a new future for Arabia. [199], The ulema have historically been led by the Al ash-Sheikh,[200] the country's leading religious family. [418] Observers researching the issue prefer to stay anonymous[419] because of the risk of being arrested. [265], On 25 March 2015, Saudi Arabia, spearheading a coalition of Sunni Muslim states,[266] started a military intervention in Yemen against the Shia Houthis and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was deposed in the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings.
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