Saudi Arabia
| المملكة العربية السعودية al-Mamlaka al-‘Arabiyya as-Su’ūdiyya | |
|---|---|
 | |
 |
 |
| Flag | Coat of Arms |
| Capital | ar-Riyād |
| Government | Absolute Monarchy |
| Language | Arabic (official) |
| Monarch | King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud |
| Area | 829,996 sq mi |
| Population | 24,000,000 |
| GDP 2007 | $446 billion |
| GDP per capita | $21,200 |
| Currency | Riyal |
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya, المملكة العربية السعودية, also Saudi Arabia or KSA) is a large country on the Arabian peninsula. Ruled by The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, The country is one of the few absolute monarchies left in the world. Shari'a (Islamic jurisprudence) is the official law of the Kingdom. The Kingdom was first declared on 8 January 1926 by Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud, and was brought together on 22 September 1932.
Saudi Arabia is mostly a desert country, but it is rich in oil and date palms. Desalination plants have made the kingdom a major exporter of wheat. Foreign workers are plentiful and the citizens enjoy a number of socialized gifts. The kingdom is also ruled with an iron fist. People will get their hands chopped off for stealing, alcohol is illegal, and women are not allowed to drive. Despite Saudi Arabia's repuation for being one of the most oppressive governments in the world, the United States maintains a close relationship with them and they are one of America's biggest allies in the Middle East after Israel[1].
The Arab-American Oil Corporation (ARAMCO), through U.S. Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes, got U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt to agree to Lend Lease aid to Saudi Arabia, which would involve the U.S. government in Saudi Arabia and create protection for the interests of ARAMCO. [2]
Religious Intolerance
As an Islamic country under Islamic law, Saudi Arabia has little of the religious freedom common in the west. For instance even tourists can not bring a Bible or a Star of David into the country or risk having them confiscated.[3]
Noteable Saudi Arabians
- Osama Bin Laden
- Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud: ranked 11th richest person in the world by USAToday in 2002.[4]
References
- ↑ http://www.cfr.org/publication/10728/
- ↑ "American Oil Interests in the Near East," in Bruce R. Kuniholm, The Origins of the Cold War in the Near East: Great Power Conflict and Diplomacy in Iran, Turkey, and Greece (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1980), Chapter III, "The Iranian Context," pp. 178-192.
- ↑ Christian Examiner, Sept. 2007, Vol 25, No 9, Pg. 20
- ↑ http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002/02/28/forbes.htm