Saudi Arabia is a well developed oil-based economy, founded on Islamic principles, and plays host to millions of pilgrims from all around the world. The country has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world (26% of the proved total), ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. 

The first ruler of the First House of Saud was Muhammad bin Saud (forebear of the present rulers). He started as ruler of Ad-Dar'iyah, where he joined forces with Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab the eminent religious leader, in what could be called the first alliance.

Muhammad bin Saud concluded an agreement with Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab that together they would bring the Arabs of the peninsula back to the true faith of the Islamic religion. They confirmed this agreement with an oath in 1744 (1157 AH).

Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab did not found a new sect. His travels through the Arab lands which then formed part of the Ottoman Empire revealed to him diverse deviations from the true Islamic faith. His purpose was to strip away those deviations and to re-establish Islam in its pure form.

 In a speech delivered by His Majesty King Abdul Aziz (Ibn Saud) in Makkah, at the Royal Palace on May 11, 1929, the King said that:

"They call us the "Wahhabis" and they call our creed a "Wahhabi" one as if it were a special one... and this is an extremely erroneous allegation that has arisen from the false propaganda launched by those who had ill feelings as well as ill intentions towards the movement. We are not proclaiming a new creed or a new dogma. Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab did not come with anything new. Our creed is the creed of those good people who preceded us and which came in the Book of God (the Qur'an) as well as that of his Messenger (the prophet Muhammad, prayer and peace be upon him).

Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud (Ibn Saud) laid the foundations for the modern state of Saudi Arabia. His main achievement was the unification of many warring tribes  - all proud of their own lineage and traditions. His success derived from his faith in Islam and his determination to maintain and build on the traditions of the region. It is the unique combination of faith and respect for tradition, while adapting to the technological developments of modern world, which characterizes the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today.

King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud (ibn Saud)

In 1902 (1319/20 AH) Ibn Saud retook the city of Riyadh in a daring capture and established his rule over that area. From 1902 through 1926 (1319 - 1445 AH), in an outstanding example of leadership, energy and skill, Ibn Saud consolidated the unity of most of the Arabian Peninsula.

In September 1932 (1350/51 AH), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded and acquired its present name.

Excellent accounts of the history and development of Saudi Arabia can be found by following the links presented in Islamic Links.

Due to the modern Saudi state's policy of industrial diversification, the Kingdom has developed into a prosperous and diversified economy and has reduced dependence on oil revenues. A wide range of manufacturing industries have been developed offering employment for workers from all around the world.

The Kingdom has adopted a free market economic model. The financial, industrial and trade sectors of the economy have made rapid progress, enabling the private sector to play an increasingly important role in the development and diversification of the economy, especially in the fields of construction and farming. 

To achieve its ambitious development plans the government has devoted vast resources to a program covering primary, secondary and higher levels of education. All the Kingdom's Development Plans have taken into account the educational aspirations of the Saudi people, providing free education to all. The educational system has been continuously and systematically expanded to accommodate the ever-growing demand for educational services. Through this investment, the Kingdom has been able to guarantee equality of opportunity for all and to ensure that the Kingdom's need for an educated and trained national workforce to carry forward the Kingdom's future development can be fulfilled.

Of all the benefits that have accrued to the citizens of the Kingdom, none is greater than the provision of free healthcare of the highest standard, a provision extended to all those who visit the Kingdom in pilgrimage. The decision to embark on plan of inclusive healthcare provision was taken by King Faisal who initiated a massive hospital building programs.

Huge industrial complexes built at Jubail on the Arabian Gulf and Yanbu on the Red Sea by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, are the key to the Kingdom's national industrialization plans. These two industrial cities provide the basis for the Kingdom's program to develop hydrocarbon-based and energy intensive industries. The investment in these industrial cities has as its major objective a reduction in the Kingdom's dependence on oil revenues by gaining access to the world's petrochemical markets. This route to industrialization exploits cheap energy and raw materials for petrochemical manufacture.

Modern hotels and resources for visitors have sprung up in Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, Damman and all over the country offering tourists and visitors unmatched facilities in the region. The national carrier Saudi Arabian Airlines travels to all corners and brings visitors back to the Kingdom's cities.

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