Oil was discovered in Saudi Arabia by U.S. geologists in the 1930s, although large scale production did not begin until after [[World War II]]. Oil wealth has made possible rapid economic development, which began in earnest in the 1960s and accelerated spectacularly in the 1970s, transforming the kingdom. | Oil was discovered in Saudi Arabia by U.S. geologists in the 1930s, although large scale production did not begin until after [[World War II]]. Oil wealth has made possible rapid economic development, which began in earnest in the 1960s and accelerated spectacularly in the 1970s, transforming the kingdom. |