Demographics of Saudi Arabia - Demographics of Saudi Arabia. Culture of Saudi Arabia Age structure of the population

The population of Saudi Arabia is more than 29 million people.

National composition:

• Arabs (Saudi Arabs, Bedouins);
• Afro-Asians;
• other peoples (people from Pakistan, India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Europe, Egypt).

Most of the country's population is concentrated in cities and oases, and the Bedouins are concentrated in the eastern and northern regions of Saudi Arabia.

12 people live per 1 sq. km. But some cities and oases are very densely populated (1,000 people live per 1 sq. km). Thus, the most densely populated areas are those adjacent to the coasts of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, and some areas are sparsely populated, in which there is no permanent settled population at all (the Dakhna, Rub al-Khali, Nefud deserts).

The official language is Arabic, but in Saudi Arabia they also speak English, Tagalog, Indonesian, Hindi, Urdu and others.

Major cities: Riyadh, Medina, Mecca, Jeddah, Damman, Tabuk, Taif.

The overwhelming number of residents of Saudi Arabia profess Islam (Sunnism, Shiism), the rest are Catholic.

Lifespan

On average, Saudi Arabian residents live to 68 years.

Quite good indicators are due to the fact that the state allocates sufficient funds from the budget for healthcare (8%). Healthcare in the country is at a high level: large administrative districts, as well as the capital, boast clinics that are considered the best in the Middle East (highly qualified specialists work here and highly specialized equipment is used).

It is worth noting that the provision of medical services is free not only for local residents, but also for pilgrims. In public clinics, medical services are provided within the framework of the insurance system. As for visiting private doctors, their services are paid (they only accept cash).

Traditions and customs of the people of Saudi Arabia

Families in Saudi Arabia are large, since representatives of different generations live under the same roof or, at least, in the same locality.

Despite the fact that modern families are becoming smaller in the number of people living together, local social relations are inextricably linked with such concepts as clan and clan.

Family members and good friends greet each other with hugs or kisses on both cheeks. As for unfamiliar people, it is customary in the country to greet them with a European handshake.

If you are going to Saudi Arabia, keep in mind that it is better not to wear shorts or short skirts here - modest clothing is encouraged here.

Authors: N. N. Alekseeva (Nature: physical-geographical sketch), N. A. Bozhko (Nature: geology), A. V. Sedov (Historical sketch), G. G. Kosach (Historical sketch), G. L Ghukasyan (Economy), V. D. Nesterkin (Armed Forces), V. S. Nechaev (Health), M. N. Suvorov (Literature), E. S. Yakushkina (Architecture and Fine Arts)Authors: N. N. Alekseeva (Nature: physical-geographical sketch), N. A. Bozhko (Nature: geology), A. V. Sedov (Historical sketch), G. G. Kosach (Historical sketch); >>

SAUDI ARABIA(Arabic: Al-Arabiya al-Saudiyah), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arabic: Al-Mamlaka al-Arabiya al-Saudiyah).

General information

S.A. is a state in the South-West. Asia, on the Arabian Peninsula. It borders in the north with Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, in the east with Qatar, in the southeast with the UAE and Oman, in the south with Yemen. In the west it is washed by the Red Sea, in the east by the waters of the Persian Gulf. Pl. OK. 2.15 million km 2 (official data; according to other sources, from 1.6 to 2.4 million km 2, the borders of S.A. in the south and southeast pass through deserts and are not clearly defined). Us. 30.8 million people (2014). The capital is Riyadh. Official language – Arabic. The monetary unit is the Saudi Arabia. rial Adm.-terr. division – 13 adm. districts.

Administrative-territorial division (2013)

S.A. – member of the UN (1945), LAS (1945), IMF (1957), IBRD (1957), OPEC (1960), GCC (Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf; 1981), OIC (Organization Islamic Cooperation; 1969; until 2011 Organization of the Islamic Conference), WTO (2005).

Political system

S.A. is a unitary state. Absolute theocratic. monarchy.

Head of state, legislator. and will fulfill it. power - the king. He personifies the power of the Saudi family. The special position of this family is secured by an act of constitution. character - Basic Nizam (regulations) on power 1992. The king elects the crown prince and removes him by decree. The king can transfer part of his powers to him by decree.

Execute power is exercised by the king and the Council of Ministers headed by him.

As an advisory body under the king and the government there is an Advisory Council (AC), whose functions include the development of recommendations on socio-economic issues. development of the country, examination of draft regulations and international. agreements. The council consists of 150 members appointed by the king for 4 years.

Political there are no parties in S.A.

Nature

Shores of the Persian Hall. and Krasny M. preim. low, sandy, slightly rugged.

Relief

Plateau-like plains are widespread, gradually decreasing from 1000–1300 m in the west to 200–300 m in the east and weakly dissected by dry river valleys (wadis). To the center. parts are dominated by stratified accumulative-denudation plains, bordered on the east by a strip of cuesta hills, including Tuvaik (heights up to 1143 m, benches up to 300–400 m). So... The area is occupied by the Najd high plateau. 400–1000 m with separation mountain ranges (Jabal Shammar, Harrat Khaybar, altitudes up to 1850 m), sand, pebble and rocky deserts (Hamads, including the El Hamad Desert), wadi beds.

On horizontally lying sedimentary rocks, stratified accumulative plains are formed, overlain by loose Quaternary ones, mainly. sandy, sediments. Processes of arid denudation and accumulation are typical. Forms of aeolian relief (ridges, dunes and dune-lumpy sands) occupy vast areas in the Big Nefud, Little Nefud (Dekhna), Nafud-ed-Dakhi (Nefud-Dakhi) and Rub al-Khali deserts, where high dunes occur. up to 200 m. In the west. parts of S.A., parallel to the coast of the Red Sea, stretch the mountains of Ash-Shifa, Hijaz, Asir (up to 3032 m high - the highest in S.A.) with steep, highly dissected western. slopes and gentle eastern ones. Lava plateaus (harrats) are common. The mountains drop down in steps to the narrow (up to 70 km) coastal lowland of Tihama with sandy deserts, rocky outcrops and salt marshes. In the east along the coast of the Persian Hall. The flat Al-Hasa lowland stretches (up to 150 km wide) with rocky and sandy deserts, saline depressions (sebkhs) and wetlands.

Geological structure and minerals

C. A. is located within the north-east. parts of the Precambrian African-Arabian platform. To the west and to the center. partly the rocks of the Nubian-Arabian belt of the platform foundation protrude onto the surface - gneisses and migmatites of the Archean - Lower Proterozoic and the Upper Proterozoic complex, in which metamorphosed volcanic-sedimentary strata and granitoids predominate; several stand out. suture zones with the development of melange and ophiolite covers. In the north-east direction, the basement rocks plunge under the platform cover of the Arabian Plate - Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Paleogene terrigenous and anhydrite-carbonate (partly siliceous-carbonate) deposits, forming in the interior. areas of S.A. monoclines. B east part of the plate is the Gaza structural terrace, where a meridional system of swell-like uplifts (En-Nala and others) can be traced in a sedimentary cover up to 7 km thick. In the south there is the Rub al-Khali syneclise (precipitation thickness up to 8 km). Along the coast of the Persian Hall. Thick Neogene molasse of the Mesopotamian foredeep are developed. In the north, west and south there are Late Cenozoic continental basalts.

Main subsoil wealth - oil and natural combustible gas. Almost the entire territory of C.A. is included in Persian Gulf oil and gas basin; open several times dozens of fields, among them the largest in terms of oil reserves Gavar, Saffaniya-Khafji, Manifa , Abqaiq . There are known deposits of ores of copper, zinc, gold, silver, lead (pyrite copper-zinc with gold and silver El-Masan, Jebel Said, Mahd-ed-Dahab; copper-zinc Xnaygiya, as well as gold El-Amar, Bulgah, etc. .). C.A. owns part of the unique Atlantis-II sulfide copper-zinc deposit with lead, silver and gold in the Red Sea axial rift depression (115 km west of Jeddah). Main Iron ore reserves are associated with the Wadi Sawawin deposit in the northwest. There are deposits of bauxite (Ez-Zabira in the north), phosphorites (in the northwest), rock salt and gypsum (the coast of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf), pyrite, barite, native sulfur, magnesite, marble, limestone, clay, sand and others. Occurrences of tin, tungsten, rare metals and rare earth ores.

Climate

Prem. tropical, sharply continental, dry, in the north – subtropical. Summer is very hot, winter is warm. Wed. January temperatures (in Riyadh) 14 °C, July 35 °C (absolute maximum 54 °C). Frosts rarely occur in the north. The difference between night and day temperatures is significant. Precipitation almost everywhere is less than 100 mm per year, in Rub al-Khali - less than 35 mm (in the central regions mainly in spring, in the north - in winter); in the mountains - up to 400 mm per year, maximum in spring and summer. The amount of precipitation varies greatly from year to year, in some areas. they have been missing for years. Tihama is characterized by high relative humidity. Sultry south. The Samum wind in spring and early summer often causes sandstorms and a strong increase in temperature. Winter sowing the shemal wind brings a decrease in temperature to the east. areas.

Inland waters

Almost the entire S.A. is a drainage region without permanent rivers, temporarily. watercourses form only after intense rains. The largest wadis are Es-Sirhan, Er-Rumma, Ed-Dawasir, Bisha, Najran. After rare rainfalls, wadis sometimes turn into powerful mud flows. Oases are associated with wadis.

Ch. Groundwater and groundwater play a role in the country's water supply, providing more than 95% of water intake. Shallow groundwater accumulates in loose sedimentary strata and weathering crust, Ch. arr. in the western, relatively moist mountainous part of S.A. Osn. Water reserves are associated with underground aquifers located at great depths (150–1500 m) over an area of ​​approx. 1.5 million km 2. On b. Part of the country's territory is supplied with water through artesian wells and deep wells. Groundwater extraction significantly exceeds the volume of its renewal.

Annually renewable water resources amount to 2.4 km 3, water availability is low - 928 m 3 / person. per year (2006). The annual water intake is 23.7 km 3, of which 88% is used in the village. x-ve, 9% - in municipal water supply, 3% - in industry. Partial coverage of the fresh water deficit is achieved through sea desalination. waters (S.A. is a leader in the field of seawater desalination: 1.03 km 3 per year, 2006), reuse treated wastewater for villages. farms and industrial water consumption

Soils, flora and fauna

Primitive desert soils predominate; there is no soil cover over vast areas; salt crusts are common. In the north, coarse-skeletal subtropical species are developed. sierozems and gray-brown soils, in depressions – solonchaks and meadow-solonchak soils.

Vegetation is predominant. tropical desert, semi-desert in the north. White saxaul, juzgun, shrub wormwood, aristida grasses and wild millet grow in places on the sands, lichens grow on hamads, wormwood and astragalus grow on lava plateaus, solitary acacias, prosopis grow along the wadi beds and in interdune depressions, and tamarisk grows in more saline places. ; Along the coasts and salt marshes there are halophytic shrubs (Sveda, Calotropis). Manna lichen is widespread. Loose sands are almost completely devoid of plants. cover. In spring and wet years, the role of ephemerals in the composition of vegetation increases. In the mountains, in the southwest, there are areas of savannas (acacia, commiphora, olive), above 2000 m evergreen shrubs are typical, from altitudes. 2500 m – Afroalpine vegetation with the participation of juniper. In the oases there are groves of date palms, citrus fruits, bananas, grains (wheat, barley) and garden crops. Deserts and semi-deserts occupy 62% of the territory, herbaceous ecosystems and shrubs - 33%, forests - approx. 2%.

S.A. is home to 77 species of mammals (wolf, jackal, fennec fox, hyena, caracal, sand cat, wild ass onager, antelope, gazelle, hyrax, hare, etc.). There is a large population of domesticated camels (dromedaries). There are many rodents (gerbils, gophers, jerboas, etc.) and reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles). 10 species of mammals are endangered, including the Arabian oryx (oryx), Nubian (mountain) goat, and Arabian gerbil. There are 125 species of nesting birds (larks, sandgrouses, bustards, kites, vultures, eagles, etc.), of which 13 are endangered. To the east areas - foci of locusts.

Condition and protection of the environment

For b. Particularly pasture lands are characterized by desertification processes. Wind erosion of varying intensity is widespread, and secondary soil salinization is to a lesser extent. Due to groundwater pumping, aquifers are depleted. On the coast of the Persian Hall. there is an increased risk of oil contamination.

The system of protected areas includes 128 various objects. status, including 3 national parks (Asir, Harrat, and Farasan in the archipelago of the same name), many nature reserves and reserves, as well as extensive wildlife management areas in the north of the country and in the Rub al-Khali desert. In the national In Harrat Park and the Uruk-Bani-Maarid Nature Reserve, gazelles and oryx, which were almost completely exterminated in the country, have been reintroduced.

Population

The indigenous population makes up 74.1% of us. S.A., mainly saudi arabs, as well as speakers of the South Arabian languages ​​Mahra and Shahari (0.3%). Immigrants and their descendants (including Filipinos, Punjabis, Urdus, Persians, Palestinians, Lebanese, Syrians, Egyptians, Sudanese, Somalis, Swahili) account for 25.9% (2010 census).

According to the official data (2013), out of the total number of us. 20.3 million people – citizens of S.A. (approx. 68%), approx. 9.6 million people – immigrants (approx. 32%). The population increased almost 10 times between 1950 and 2014 (3.1 million people in 1950; 5.8 in 1970; 16.1 in 1990). Natural growth of us. 15.5 per 1000 inhabitants. (2014). The birth rate is 18.8 per 1000 inhabitants, the mortality rate is 3.3 per 1000 inhabitants. The fertility rate is 2.2 children per woman; baby mortality rate is 14.6 per 1000 live births. In the age structure of the population, there is a high proportion of people of working age (15–64 years) – 69.2%; the share of children (under 15 years old) is 27.6%, people over 65 years old are 3.2%. Wed. life expectancy is 74.8 years (men - 72.8, women - 76.9 years). There are 121 men for every 100 women. Wed. density of us. St. 15 people/km2 (2014; some oases have a density of more than 1000 people/km2). The most densely populated areas are off the coast of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, as well as around Riyadh and to the northeast of it, where the main cities are located. oil and gas production areas. More than 60% of the country's territory (the main part of the desert) does not have a permanent settled population. Share of mountains us. 83% (2014). Largest cities (million people, 2010): Riyadh 5.2, Jeddah 3.4 (Makkah region), Mecca 1.5, Medina 1.1, Dammam 0.9, Al-Hofuf 0.7 (Eastern district), Taif 0.6 (Mecca district), Tabuk 0.5. Economically active us. OK. 11.3 million people (2013; including about 5.3 million – citizens of S.A.). In the employment structure, the service sector accounts for 71.3%, industry – 23.3%, p. farms – 5.4% (2013). Unemployment rate 6% (2014; among citizens of SA 11.8%). Since 1996, the government has implemented a policy of limiting the hiring of foreigners. labor force and its replacement by citizens of S.A. - so-called. Saudization of personnel (most successfully carried out in the public sector).

Religion

OK. 90% of the population are Muslims, including 85–90% are Sunnis (mainly Hanbalis), 10–15% are Shiites: Imamis, Zaydis, a significant Ismaili minority (approx. 2.5%) (2014, estimate ). Representatives of other faiths include Christians (Catholics 2.5%, Protestants 1.5%, Orthodox 0.1%), Hindus (0.6%), Bahais (0.1%). The public practice of all religions except Islam and the opening of non-Muslim temples and houses of worship are prohibited. On the territory of S.A., in the cities of Mecca and Medina, there are Ch. shrines of Islam. Pilgrimage to the shrines of S.A. is made by St. 1.4 million Muslims per year (2014).

Historical sketch

The territory of Saudi Arabia from ancient times to the first centuries AD. uh

The oldest traces of human activity (probably ca. 1.3 million years ago), dating back to the Oldowan (see. Olduvai culture), known in the north (near the city of Shuwaikhitiya) and southwest (Bir Hima, Najran region) of the modern territory. S.A.; finds from the Acheulian era are at its center. and east parts, the Middle Paleolithic - everywhere. The lack of finds from the Late Paleolithic may be due to unfavorable climatic conditions. conditions.

Since the Neolithic (ca. 8th millennium BC), connections have been recorded with the territory of the Levant, from where, apparently, there was population migration and the exchange of obsidian with the territory of Yemen, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. Petroglyphs (mainly hunting scenes) have been known since the 7th millennium. Since the 6th thousand, ties with the South have been strengthened. Mesopotamia (Ubaid culture), North-East. and South-West. Arabia.

In the Early Metal Age (from the end of the 4th millennium), monumental above-ground tombs, sanctuaries and, probably, associated anthropomorphic stone steles appeared. In the 3rd millennium, stable ties were established with Mesopotamia. Among the finds are examples of sculpture and glyptics, items made of lapis lazuli, carnelian (mainly imported from Mesopotamia, from the territory of Afghanistan, Gujarat). Coast of the Persian Hall. was part of the Dilmun civilization zone.

The oases of Hijaz, Teima (now Taima), Dedan (now El-Ula), Madyan have been continuously inhabited since the 3rd–2nd millennium. From the beginning. 1st millennium they played an important role on the “route of incense” (from the territory of Yemen to the Mediterranean), they are mentioned in Assyrian. cuneiform sources of the 8th–7th centuries, the Old Testament. From the 7th century inscriptions appear in local languages ​​using varieties of the North Arabian alphabetic script. In 550, a number of oases were conquered by the Babylonian king Nabonidus, who made Teima his residence for 10 years. At the site of Kraia (probably the capital of Teima), a “stele of Nabonidus” was found with an inscription in Akkadian. and the image of the king in front of the symbols of the Babylonian gods Sin, Shamash, Ishtar. Other cuneiform texts mentioning Nabonidus and rock inscriptions containing greetings to the “king of Babylon” are also known from Teima. In the 5th century these oases became dependent on Achaemenid states. In the 4th–1st centuries. important political The power was the state of Lihyan with its capital Dedan (about 10 giant stone statues of its rulers have been preserved). From the 2nd century. BC e. part of the North-West Arabia was part of Nabatean kingdom; Hegra (now Madain Salih) was a major city; numerous people are associated with it. rock tombs (analogues in Petra). In 106 n. e. The Nabataean kingdom became part of Rome. empires.

The central and southwestern parts of the modern territory. S.A. belonged to the South civilization. Arabia; one of its centers was in the Najran oasis (first mentioned around 700). The center of the Mukhaamir tribal union was located in the city of Raghmat, from the 6th century. The Amir tribe began to play a dominant role in the oasis. After a series of wars, Najran became dependent on the South Arabian kingdom of Ma'in. Raghmata is mentioned among the cities conquered by the Romans during the campaign of Aelius Gallus in “Happy Arabia” in 25/24 BC. e. In the 1st–5th centuries. n. e. Najran was under the rule of the state of Saba and Himyarite kingdom .

Oasis of Qaryat al-Fau (Qaryat al-Fau; mentioned from the late 4th century BC) in the north-west. border of the Rub al-Khali desert from the first centuries AD. e. was the center of the Kinda tribal union and a point on the “path of incense” left in the beginning. 4th century, probably due to the drying up of fresh water sources. Residential areas, a market, sanctuaries (including those of the supreme god Kahl), and a necropolis were excavated here. Inscriptions in Dedan, Nabatean, Sabaean languages, coins (including local mintage), bronze, stone, terracotta images of Greek. and Greco-Egyptian. gods, Sabaean funerary sculpture, frescoes, glassware, semi-precious stones, gold, silver and other finds demonstrate a combination of local and Western Asian, Egyptian, Hellenistic, Roman. traditions.

With the settlement of Saj near the Persian Hall. identify the city of Guerra as an important point in the incense trade system. Finds (including glass and metal dishes, gold and silver jewelry, locally minted coins) indicate the strong influence of Hellenism. A tomb dating from the 1st–2nd centuries was excavated in Ain Javan (north of the modern city of El-Qatif). with numerous jewelry.

Territory of Saudi Arabia in the 4th – early 7th centuries

So... influence on the situation on the Arabian Peninsula in the 4th–7th centuries. provided by external forces, the most important of which were the rival Byzantium and Sasanian Iran. Their confrontation turned the Arabic-speaking states that arose on the periphery of the Arabian Peninsula or within its borders into satellites of one or another of these powers. If formed in 380 and existed until 611 in South. Mesopotamia Lakhmid kingdom, which extended its possessions up to Al-Hasy and officially confessed Nestorianism, was a vassal of Iran, then arose in the East. Palestine Ghassanid kingdom (529–636), which included the north of the Hejaz and adhered to Monophysitism, was a vassal of Byzantium.

One of the forms of external influence on the intra-Arabian situation was the spread of Judaism and Christianity. This impact was felt especially strongly in the south of the peninsula, where, under the influence of Christianized Ethiopia, the local pantheon of deities was unified, which contributed to the emergence of the idea of ​​a single ruler of Heaven and Earth - Rahmanan (his name, modified in accordance with the phonetics of Northern Arabic dialects, later became in the form Rahman is one of the epithets of Allah). At the same time, Judaism penetrated geographically deeper into Arabia than Christianity. If the latter became widespread in the peripheral regions of the peninsula (Lakhmid and Ghassanid kingdoms), then it means. Jewish colonies existed in the oases of the Hijaz (including Medina) and Najd.

However b. parts of the territory of modern times. S.A. still remained pagan. The local pantheon included both male and female deities. Everyday practice was the veneration of stones, trees, stars and celestial phenomena, good and evil spirits as intermediaries between gods and people. Temples and sanctuaries were dedicated to the gods, one of which was the Meccan Kaaba, which gradually turned into a recognized cult center with rituals developing around it, which later became part of the Islamic ritual. The unsuccessful campaign against Mecca in 570 Ethiopians gave this center a special status as a “God-saved” one. King Abraha.

Arabian Peninsula in the 7th–17th century

The prophetic mission of Muhammad, which began in 603–605, transformed politics. geography of the Arabian Peninsula. Its result was the formation of an early Islamic state, which included the entire territory of modern times. Saud. Arabia.

The non-recognition of Muhammad as the Prophet by the Meccan Quraysh forced him to emigrate to Yathrib (now Medina). The Muslim system developed there. dogmatics and rituals (including due to the confrontation with local Jewish tribes), as well as the foundations of a new statehood, family ethics and morality based on the norms of this system, the formation of Muslims began. Ummah. While in Medina, Muhammad made his first conquests, which were limited to the territories neighboring this city. Strengthening your own authority as religions. leader, military leader and politician allowed Muhammad in Jan. 630 return victoriously to Mecca, which recognized his power. By 632 all tribes are centered. Arabia, as well as the population of Asir, Najran and Yemen, converted to Islam, which they contributed to as a soldier. threats and diplomacy. the efforts of its founder. However, Muhammad's first attempts to introduce zakat and sadaqa for the population of the territories under his control caused uprisings. Disputes between the Prophet's closest companions and relatives, which began after his death in 632, ended with the election of Abu Bekr as caliph. He managed to break the resistance of the rebels and pacify the rebel tribes, and the campaign he organized against Byzantium was successful. But his election led to the emergence of the first fault lines within Muslims. community. The preconditions for Shiism have arisen - supporters Ali ibn Abi Talib believed that it was he who should succeed Muhammad, and not Abu Bekr, whom they considered a usurper.

After the death of Abu Bekr, the caliphs were Omar ibn al-Khattab and then Osman ibn al-Affan. The murder of the latter in 656 by opponents of strengthening the role of his clan in the life of the Caliphate marked the beginning of fitna - a turmoil that divided Muslims into Shiites, Kharijites and Sunnis. The power of Ali ibn Abi Talib, who became the new caliph, was immediately challenged by the governor of Syria Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan. His son Hassan, who became caliph after the death of Ali ibn Abi Talib, renounced the title in favor of Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, as a result of which power in the Caliphate passed from the companions and relatives of Muhammad to the Umayyads who ruled in Damascus. Political Muslim center state became the capital of Syria. After the transfer of power in the Caliphate in 747 to the Abbasids, the political center. life of the Islamic world moved to Baghdad. Mecca retained only the status of a religion. center, and the Arabian Peninsula became the periphery of a huge state. education.

The protracted process of disintegration of the Caliphate had a significant impact. influence on politics situation on the Arabian Peninsula. The emergence in 899 of the Qarmatian state in Bahrain, which included Al-Hasa, made possible the further expansion of representatives of this movement in the direction of the Hijaz. In 930 the Qarmatians attacked Mecca and stole ch. the object of worship is the “black stone” (returned only in 952).

After Ahmed ibn Tulun came to power in Egypt in 858, the Tulunid state arose, which also included the Hijaz. With the conquest of Egypt in 969 by the Fatimids, the Hijaz entered their state, in 1171 - into the state of the Ayyubids who replaced the Fatimids, in 1250 - into Mamluk Sultanate. After the defeat of the latter in 1516 by Sultan Selim I the Terrible (1512–20), Hijaz and Asir were included in Ottoman Empire. In 1638, Ottoman power also extended to Al-Hasa. Ottoman expansion did not affect the semi-desert interior. areas of the Arabian Peninsula, however, the rulers of the oases and tribal leaders of this territory, solving the problems of their own. rise or maintain power, repeatedly turned to the Porte for help.

Arabia in the 18th – late 19th centuries. First Saudi states

If in Hijaz, which became part of the Ottoman Empire, Hanafi Islam became the dominant Sunni legal school (see Hanafis), then in Najd this means. To the extent possible, the Hanbali madhhab (comprehension) of Sunnism has become established (see Hanbali). This legal school required strict adherence to religions. dogmas and live practically the way the Prophet and his companions lived. In the 1st half. 18th century these ideas were developed Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, who became the spiritual mentor of the residents of the small town of Uyayna in Najd. The activities of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab displeased the ruler of Uyayna. In 1744/45, the preacher was forced to move to the town of Ed-Diriya (now within the administrative boundaries of Greater Riyadh). The migration of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab and his alliance with the emir of Ed-Diriyah Muhammad ibn Saud (1726/27–1765) is considered the beginning of the Saud. statehood. This union later became the basis for interaction between the descendants of the emir - the Saudis and the teachers of the law from the Al ash-Sheikh family (Al Sheikh, Ali-sh-Sheikh) - the descendants of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab.

K con. 1780s the rulers of Ed-Diriya established dominance over the entire territory of Najd. Int. discord in Al-Hasa made it easier for the Saudis. expansion towards the coast of the Persian Gulf. Despite the resistance of local tribes, in the 1st half. 1790s Al-Hasa became part of the Saudi Arabia. possessions. An attempt by the Ottoman Vali of Basra to restore Ottoman rule in Al-Hasa ended in the summer of 1797 with the invasion of the tribes subordinate to the ruler of Ed-Diriya into the territory of Iraq. In the spring of 1802 they captured and plundered the largest Iraq. Shiite center of Karbala. From the beginning 1790s Saudi Arabia began. raids on Hejaz. In 1805, with the establishment of Saudi control over Medina and the ports of the Red Sea, the Hijaz became part of their possessions. Saudi power was also consolidated in Asir, from where attempts were made to penetrate Yemen. In the beginning. 19th century one of the directions of Saudi Arabia. expansion became Muscat and Hadhramaut, as well as the territory of the current states of the Persian Hall zone. (including the Bahrain archipelago). However, agreements concluded by local rulers with Great Britain, for which this area played an important role in ensuring the security of communications with British India, put a limit on her. The Saudis were forced to abandon the continuation of expansion due to the landing of Egyptian troops in Hijaz in 1811. ruler Muhammad Ali .

Establishment of the Saud. dominion over Mecca and Medina, which had previously been under Ottoman jurisdiction, dealt a blow to the prestige of the Istanbul sultans and caliphs, who were unable to ensure the security of the hajj. To restore its previous position, the Porte took advantage of Muhammad Ali's interest in returning Egypt's trade monopoly in the Red Sea area. Egypt troops after landing in Hejaz Yanbu (Yanbu el-Bahr), despite initial setbacks, gradually managed to develop an offensive in the direction of the interior. areas of the Arabian Peninsula and on Sept. 1818 take and destroy Ed-Diriya. First Saudi the state fell, b. h. Saudi nobles and members of the Al ash-Sheikh family were taken to Egypt.

Egypt The occupation of Najd, accompanied by looting, violence and the revival of tribal anarchy, was short-lived. Member who escaped from the Egyptians. Saudi dynasty Turki ibn Abdallah (1821–34) led the military. Egyptian resistance occupation. He was supported by the heads of the tribes and the Hanbali ulema. Leaving the destroyed Ed-Diriyah, the new emir made Riyadh his capital and consistently expanded the scope of his possessions in the center of Najd, creating the second Saudi state. In 1830 he restored the Saudi Arabia. power in Al-Hasa, forced the Saudis to admit. suzerainty of the ruler of Bahrain and resumed expansion into Oman.

Drought con. 1820s and repeated outbreaks of cholera worsened the Saudi situation. emirate. In 1834, Turki ibn Abdallah was killed by a relative who had established himself in Riyadh. The coming to power in the same year of Turki's son Faisal did not put an end to internal affairs. discord and strife in the emirate. The situation was also seriously destabilized by Muhammad Ali's new attempts to assert his power over the Arabian Peninsula. In 1837 Egypt. troops entered the capital of the emirate, reoccupied Najd and captured Emir Faisal ibn Turki, who was sent to Cairo in 1838. Power in Riyadh passed to Khalid ibn Saud, who was replaced in 1841 by Abdallah ibn Sunayan.

In 1840 Egypt. The army was evacuated under British pressure. In 1843, Faisal ibn Turki returned to his homeland and restored his power in Riyadh. Saud. expansion towards Al-Hasa and Qassem territory resumed. In the beginning. 1860s Saudi power is completely restored in the west of Najd. The death of Faisal ibn Turki in 1865 again destabilized the emirate. He was succeeded by his son Abdallah ibn Faisal [emir in Dec. 1865 – Jan. 1873 (with a break), March 1876–1889] tried to subjugate Oman and Bahrain, but encountered opposition from the British. Faisal's other son, Saud ibn Faisal (emir in Jan. 1873 - Jan. 1875), who challenged Abdallah's right to power, established himself in Al-Has. In the spring of 1871 he marched on Riyadh and plundered the city. Subsequently, the rest of Faisal’s sons also joined the struggle for power, seeking help from local rulers and external forces - Abd ar-Rahman ibn Faisal (emir in Jan. 1875 - Jan. 1876) and Muhammad ibn Faisal. Busy internal Due to the struggle, the Saudis missed the rise in the west of Najd of the Jebel Shammar emirate with the capital of Hail, led by the Rashidid dynasty, which became allies of the Ottoman Empire. As a result, to ser. 1870s Saudi power extended only to Riyadh. In 1887, the Riyadh Emirate ceased to exist and became part of Jebel Shammar. The Saudi family, including Prince Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd ar-Rahman (Ibn Saud), born in 1880, was forced into exile.

The emergence and development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the 1st half of the 20th century

In Jan. 1902, having made a campaign from Kuwait (the last place of exile of the Saudi family), Ibn Saud captured Riyadh. After taking the city, he renewed the agreement with the Hanbali jurists. Having strengthened Riyadh, Ibn Saud began to expand the borders of the territory under his control. Great Britain, interested in weakening Ottoman influence in the Arabian Peninsula, supported Ibn Saud, which allowed him to establish control over part of Jebel Shammar. In 1911, Ibn Saud secured the consent of Great Britain to join Al-Hasa, which was at that time under Turkish rule, as part of his possessions. In 1913 this territory came under the Saudis. jurisdiction.

Ibn Saud attached great importance to strengthening his influence in Najd. To do this, he used the Ikhwan movement that developed in this region and was inspired by Hanbali teachers. The goal of the latter was to transfer some of the Bedouins to settle in specially created settlements - hijras, where members of the movement devoted themselves to agriculture and the study of religion in its Wahhabi version. Those who moved to the hijras accepted the obligation to be loyal to other brothers in the movement, to obey the emir-imam, and not to maintain contacts with “polytheists” - Europeans and residents of the countries they subordinated. The first hijra - El-Artawiya arose in the 1st half. 1913, by 1929 there were already 120 hijras throughout the entire territory of Najd. The Ikhwans formed the striking force of Ibn Saud's army.

The First World War changed the balance of power on the Arabian Peninsula. The most important event in this region was the anti-Turkish uprising inspired by Great Britain (the so-called Great Arab Revolution in Hejaz under the leadership of the Sheriff of Mecca Hussein ibn Ali al-Hashimi), which began in June 1916 and led to the emergence of the sovereign Kingdom of Hejaz, which was recognized League of Nations. Ibn Saud, despite the British. pressure, did not take part in the uprising, nor did he follow the calls of the British. agents start military. actions against Jebel Shammar, which remained loyal to the Ottoman Empire. One of the results of the 1st World War was the transformation of the status of Asir. Muhammad al-Idrisi, the emir of this region, acted on the side of Great Britain during the war and enlisted the support of the British. resident in Aden and expelled the Turks from that means. parts of the territory under his control. Until 1923, Asir remained political. independence under supervision Idrisid dynasty.

In the 1920s Ibn Saud began the unification of lands previously subject to the emirs of Ed-Diriya. Jebel Shammar was the first to fall, losing its brit. support and weakened by infighting in the Rashidid family. In the fall of 1921, its capital Hail was occupied by Ikhwan troops. Thus, the entire center came under the rule of Ibn Saud. part of the Arabian Peninsula, Nejd became the leading state in the region, and its ruler became the sultan. Lack of a fixed border between Najd and Iraq, Najd and Transjordan (Brit. mandate territories), as well as Najd and Kuwait (British protectorate), which allowed Ibn Saud’s troops to penetrate their territory under the pretext of fighting “polytheists,” prompted Great Britain to raise the issue of border demarcation. On Nov. 1921 Anglo-Nejdi protocols were signed, establishing the borders of Najd with Iraq (finally determined in October 1925) and Kuwait, in October. 1925 – agreement on the Najd-Transjordan border.

In Jan. 1923 The north came under the rule of Ibn Saud. part of Asir from the city of Abha, which became Saud. protectorate On Sept. In 1924, the Ikhwans captured and plundered Et-Taif, and in October of the same year, Mecca, where they began to destroy the domes over the graves of the Prophet’s companions. The attempt of the Hijaz nobility to pacify Ibn Saud by removing Hussein ibn Ali al-Hashimi from power and enthroning his son Ali was unsuccessful. On Nov. 1925 Medina submitted to Ibn Saud, and Jeddah in December of the same year. Great Britain actually recognized the results of the Saudi Arabia. aggression. In 1926, at the World Muslim Festival held in Mecca. Congress, Ibn Saud achieved recognition of his power over the Hejaz, which allowed him to acquire the titles of king and Servant of the Two Noble Holy Mosques, and his state became known as the Sultanate of Najd, the Kingdom of Hejaz and its annexed territories. In Feb. In 1926 it was officially recognized by the USSR, which became the first power to establish diplomatic relations with Ibn Saud. relationships. The process of unification of the state was completed in 1932–34, when it received the modern one. name – Kingdom of Saud. Arabia, Asir was finally included in its composition and, as a result of the Saudi-Yemeni war, the north was included. part of formerly Yemeni Najran.

Maintaining territorial integrity also relates. internal The stability of the new state was achieved through the power of the Ikhwans, as well as through the spread of the Wahhabi interpretation of the Hanbali madhhab. The Hanbali ulema, who developed the principle of devotion to the supporter of the “true faith,” justified power based on violence. In the beginning. 1925 The League for the Promotion of Virtue and the Condemnation of Sin (LPDOG), financed by Ibn Saud, arose in Riyadh. On Sept. 1926 its branch was created in Mecca, thereby spreading the practice of unconditional submission to Divine law in its Hanbali interpretation to the Hejaz (then to the whole country). This practice was based on the Najdi tradition, which required the theologian to monitor the implementation of Sharia norms in the sphere of religions. rituals and morals, as well as eradicate political. dissent.

The leading role in SA was played by the Hejaz, whose viceroy was Ibn Saud’s son, Prince Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz. The first Sauds arose in Hijaz. governments. institutions (the management experience of the Ottoman and Hashemite times was used). Until the end 1950s actual the capital of the state was Mecca (Riyadh remained the seat of the Najdi nobility and religious dignitaries). In Aug. 1926 were adopted Basic. provisions of the Kingdom of Hejaz, which determined the status of the viceroy, state. bodies, the Council of Ministers, as well as the Advisory Council - a kind of parliamentary assembly. The need for modern army, equipped with the latest military. technology, dictated the need to resolve the personnel issue. Personnel for the army were trained both abroad and in technical schools created in S.A. schools.

“Conservative modernization” of S.A. became the reason for the first appearance of the opposition, represented by Ibn Saud’s former allies – the Ikhwans, who appealed to the “purity” of Wahhabi Hanbalism. The list of accusations against the ruler they compiled in 1926 mentioned “unacceptable” contacts of his sons with diplomatic officials. agents of Great Britain, refusal to evict Shiites from the oases of the coast of the Persian Gulf, the operation of secular laws in the Hejaz. The revolt of the Ikhwans, who declared jihad against the ruler, was suppressed only in 1929.

Until the end 1930s basic The sources of revenue for the SA budget remained the Hajj and transfers from other Muslims. countries funds from the use of waqf. The decrease in the number of pilgrims (especially during the years of the global economic crisis of 1929–33), as well as the irregularity of the receipt of waqf contributions, complicated the financial situation of S.A. This prompted Ibn Saud to meet the requests of the Amer. oil monopolies, including Standard Oil Co. of California” (“Socal”), granting them the right to explore oil fields in the territory of Al-Hasa (oil was discovered in neighboring Bahrain in 1932). Ibn Saud hoped that this would not only replenish the budget, but also weaken the British. influence on the Arabian Peninsula. In 1933, an agreement was signed to grant Socal a concession for oil exploration in S.A. In November. 1933 the concession was transferred to Socal's subsidiary, California-Arabian Standard Oil Co. (in January 1944 renamed Arabian American Oil Company - Aramco). The concession agreement provided for the provision by S.A. of loans, annual payments, rent and certain payments for each ton of oil produced after identifying its commercial properties. reserves (all payments had to be made in gold), the construction of an oil refinery and free provision of gasoline and kerosene to S.A. In response, the Saudis the government exempted the company and its enterprises from taxes and customs duties. First Saud. commercial oil quantities were discovered in 1938, the concession zone was expanded, and the concession itself was extended for up to 60 years.

At the initial stage of World War II, S.A. pursued a policy of neutrality, maintaining relations with both Great Britain and Germany and Italy, which were considered by Ibn Saud as a counterweight to the British. politics. However, later, under the influence primarily of the United States, which expanded oil production in SA and provided it with significant assistance, including military assistance, the Saudis. the government changed its position. In 1940 it broke off diplomatic relations. relations with Italy, in Sept. 1941 – with Germany. On 2/14/1945, at a meeting between Ibn Saud and US President F.D. Roosevelt on board the cruiser Quincy in the Suez Canal, an agreement was reached on the free use of Saud. ports by US and UK ships, as well as the creation of an American base. Air Force on a 5-year lease from Saudi Arabia. territory in exchange for guarantees to prevent the occupation of S.A. by troops of countries anti-Hitler coalition and recognition by the Saudis. independence. In March 1945, S.A. declared war on Germany and Italy, which allowed it to become one of the founding members United Organizations Nations. Having initially taken a cautious position regarding the process of creation that began in 1944 Arab League, S.A. joined this organization in March 1945.

Saudi Arabia in the 1950s–90s

Ibn Saud died on November 9, 1953. His heir was Saud ibn Abd al-Aziz, who appointed his predecessor. Council of Ministers and Crown Prince Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz. This led to the emergence of dual power in the country. The situation was aggravated by what was happening in S.A. and in the Arab world in general. world social and political. changes. Transformation of the previously patriarchal Saud. society also affected Shiite circles, but was not accompanied by an increase in their role in the life of the state. Shiite entrepreneurship was limited to the lower levels of business; there were no Shiite teachers or Shiite religionists in schools and universities. rituals remained prohibited, Shiite youth could not join the army and police. All this, as well as the persecution of the Saudis. authorities of workers' organizations and the harsh suppression of strikes pushed Shiite youth to join underground organizations. In 1953, strikes of oil workers, inspired by illegal trade unions and strike committees created by Shiites, broke out in Al-Hasa. In their wake, the National Front arose in the same year. reforms (FNR; since April 1958 National Liberation Front, FNL), which demanded “to liberate the country from imperialist. domination”, introduce a constitution, provide social rights to women, improve the situation of peasants and workers, and abolish slavery.

The spread of the ideas of pan-Arabism and the increasingly acute need for changes in society and politics. and economical The life of the country led to an aggravation of contradictions in the Saudi family, which resulted in an open confrontation between the king and the crown prince (initially supported by the FPR), who sought to take the throne. In May 1958, Saud ibn Abd al-Aziz was forced to issue a decree empowering the CM to fully implement it. authorities. Nevertheless, contradictions in the ruling family continued to deepen. A group of young princes (the so-called free princes) led by Talal ibn Abd al-Aziz established relations with G. A. Nasser and demanded that a constitution be introduced in the country. reform, thereby hoping to gain access to power. In 1962 the “free princes” emigrated to Egypt. What happened on Sept. 1962 anti-monarchist. The revolution in Yemen (SA supported the royalists, Egypt supported the Republicans) contributed to a certain consolidation of the Saudis. At the end of Oct. 1962 Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz announced a new government program. It declared its intention to proclaim the “basic law of government”, based on the Koran and Sunnah, to “raise the social level of the nation”, to introduce free education and medical care. service, strengthen government regulate the economy, abolish slavery. Although the program was never implemented, it reflected a desire to take into account the demands made by the "free princes".

At the beginning of Nov. 1964 Saud ibn Abd al-Aziz is finally removed from power. Theologians have published special a fatwa legitimizing what happened. This contributed to an even greater strengthening of the influence of the ulema. The staff of the LPDOG and its funding have increased. Ulema were introduced into the cassation courts. The adoption of the Labor Law in 1968 became possible only after the Supreme Mufti recognized it as complying with Sharia.

The primary task of Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz, who came to power, was to resolve the situation in Yemen and achieve mutual understanding with G. A. Nasser. However, direct Saudi-Egyptian relations initiated by the new king. Negotiations on Yemen did not bring results until 1967. Egypt's defeat by Israel in the June War of 1967 (see Arab-Israeli wars) changed the balance of power in the region. At the Aug.-Sept. 1967 at the Arab League summit in Khartoum, Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz and Nasser signed an agreement on a peace settlement in Yemen, which provided for the withdrawal of Egypt from this country. troops. The decisions of the Khartoum summit testified to the growing influence of SA, which was turning into a leading Arab power. peace. At the insistence of S.A., a common position of the Arab League on Israel was developed, which provided for the refusal of peace negotiations with it until the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the occupied Arab countries. territories. SA became the largest financial donor to Egypt, Syria and Jordan.

Adopted by Great Britain in Jan. The 1968 decision to withdraw troops from the territories “east of Suez,” which presupposed the independence of the emirates of Treaty Oman, Bahrain and Qatar, strengthened S.A.’s position in the Persian Gulf zone. This region was acquired by the Saudis. foreign policy priority and became a place of confrontation between S.A. Iran. Strengthening international SA's influence allowed the Saudis to put forward the slogan of “Islamic solidarity” as an alternative to secular pan-Arabism. On Sept. 1969 in Rabat at a meeting of heads of state and government of 25 Muslims, held on the initiative of S.A. and Morocco. countries announced the creation of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (since 2011 Organization of Islamic Cooperation). Coming to power in Egypt in 1970 after the death of Nasser, who was the main figure. a conductor of the ideas of pan-Arabism, A. Sadat expanded the sphere of the Saudi-Egyptian. political and economical interactions.

25.3.1975, while receiving min. Kuwait oil industry, Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz was killed by his cousin Faisal ibn Musaid. On the same day in Saudi Arabia. Crown Prince Khalid ibn Abd al-Aziz ascended the throne. 11/20/1979 religious group. opponents of the government from among the young employees of the LPDOG, led by Juhayman al-Uteibi, who appealed to the “purity” of Wahhabi dogma, captured Ch. Mecca mosque. 12/4/1979 Khalid ibn Abd al-Aziz with the approval of the highest religions. The saud gave the order to the dignitaries. security service take Ch. the mosque is stormed. The action in Mecca coincided with the beginning of new Shiite unrest in Al-Hasa. Their spiritual leaders, led by Sheikh Hassan al-Saffar, initiated public speeches under slogans of support Islamic Revolution in Iran 1979, termination of supplies to Saudi Arabia. oil in the USA and the creation of the so-called. Islamic Republic of Al Hasa.

These events prompted the Saudis. the government to take steps to strengthen the position of the existing regime. One of the measures was the creation among young people, under the leadership of theologians, of circles and groups for the study of Wahhabi dogma (the participants in these circles later became mujahideen in Afghanistan, as well as in Kashmir, Tajikistan, in the North. Caucasus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo). In the sphere of foreign policy, a course was taken towards the unification of the Arabs. monarchies in the face of the threats that Iran posed for the states of the region. revolution and Iran–Iraq War 1980–88. This was expressed in the creation of 5/25/1981 Gulf Cooperation Council. In an effort to counteract Palestinian radicals, SA at the Arab League summit in Fez in 1982 put forward a plan for a Middle East peace settlement (the so-called Fahd plan), which for the first time outlined the possibility of pan-Arab recognition of Israel.

In June 1982, Khalid ibn Abd al-Aziz died in Saudi Arabia. The throne was erected by Crown Prince Fahd ibn Abd al-Aziz. The years of his reign became an important milestone in the history of the country - a time of overcoming internal. and external challenges and the beginning of economic and political modernization. In 1988, Aramco became the property of S.A. (became known as Saudi Aramco), which significantly expanded the financial capabilities of the state. The creation of modern technology began in the country. infrastructure: construction of a petrochemical complex. enterprises in Al-Jubail and Yanbu al-Bahr, modern networks. mor. ports, highways and airports. There has been a turn towards the “Saudization” of socio-economics. spheres - in industry, p. x-ve, the healthcare and education systems began to increasingly use national. labor force. To Saudi Arabia A new educated class emerged in society and began to play an important role in politics. After 1985 Saudi Arabia the authorities began to pursue a course of “cautious openness” towards the Shiite population of the East. province (Al-Hasy). The place of the previous administrators (natives from Najd) was taken by Shiites - graduates of universities in the region. Shiites were included in the management of industrial enterprises under construction. complexes. Fahd ibn Abd al-Aziz granted amnesty to the participants in the 1979 unrest and announced his renunciation of the practice of discrimination against Shiites, including the removal of anti-Shiite texts from school textbooks.

Fahd ibn Abd al-Aziz continued his predecessor’s course of increasing the role of SA in resolving regional conflicts, primarily in the Middle East. Saud. the government contributed to the cessation of civil war in Lebanon. 10/23/1989 in Taif on the Lebanese side. conflict signed a peace agreement. At the same time, in Afghanistan, S.A. actively supported the forces fighting against the Owls. troops, including the Taliban movement (SA presented the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan in 1988 as a victory for the “Islamic solidarity” it promoted). During Kuwait crisis 1990–91 S.A., fearing possible aggression from the Saddam Hussein regime and loss of dominance in the GCC, turned to the United States for help, provided its territory for the deployment of forces of the anti-Iraqi coalition, and allocated financial resources for the war. operations against Iraq. Saud. troops, as well as units of the GCC countries, took part in the liberation of Kuwait (see. "Desert Storm" 1991). After the liquidation of the Kuwait crisis, S.A. was actively involved in the Madrid peace process, one of the results of which was the adoption of the Israeli-Palestinian Declaration of Principles and the creation in the Gaza Strip and parts of the West. banks of the river Jordan Palestinian National Authority. Perestroika in the USSR and the busy Sov. leadership's position during the Kuwait crisis created the preconditions for the resumption of diplomatic relations in 1991. relations between the two countries (were frozen in 1938).

The Kuwait crisis pushed the Saudis. government to carry out political reforms. In 1992, 4 constitutions were introduced. Act: Main. the law of government, the Law on the Advisory Council, the Law on the Administration of Provinces and the Law on the Council of Ministers, which created the preconditions for the transition to a “parliamentary monarchy”, the principle of separation of powers and the development of the foundations of regional self-government.

Saudi Arabia in the 21st century

After the terrorist attack in New York on September 11, 2001, S.A. broke off diplomatic relations. relations with afg. by the Taliban government, deprived Saudi Arabia. citizenship of W. bin Laden and joined the international. anti-terrorism coalition that sent troops to Afghanistan. In 2003, S.A. criticized the US intention to carry out military operations. strike on Iraq, considering it possible to resolve differences with the regime of S. Hussein political. methods. However, later S.A. joined the anti-Iraqi coalition, and after the overthrow of the Iraqi government, it took part in the occupation and reconstruction of this country.

In connection with the death of Fahd ibn Abd al-Aziz in Saudi Arabia. Crown Prince Abdullah ibn Abd al-Aziz ascended the throne (August 1, 2005). Under him, on October 19, 2006, the Law on Oath-taking was adopted. He finally regulated the procedure for appointing an heir to the throne and prescribed obligations. approval of his candidacy by representatives of all factions of the Saudi family and swearing an oath of allegiance to him. In Oct. In 2011 and June 2012, this law was put into practice when Naef ibn Abd al-Aziz (died in the summer of 2012) and Salman ibn Abd al-Aziz were appointed heirs to the throne, respectively. In an effort to give greater stability to the regime, on March 27, 2014, Abdullah ibn Abd al-Aziz appointed Muqrin ibn Abd al-Aziz to the newly created post of heir to the throne. This decision was caused by the health of Salman ibn Abd al-Aziz and was aimed at maintaining the continuity of the succession of Ibn Saud's sons at the top of politics. authorities.

During the reign of Abdullah ibn Abd al-Aziz in 2005, the composition of the Constitutional Court was expanded. The number of its appointed members increased from 60 to 150 people. They began to represent all regions and religious groups of the country. In 2010, the Constitutional Court was given the power to legislate. initiatives. In Feb. In 2013, a “female faction” appeared in it (30 women were introduced into the Constitutional Court while maintaining its previous number). In accordance with the king's decree, starting from 2016, women will be able to participate in municipal elections. The introduction of women into the Constitutional Court was preceded by initiatives aimed at expanding their participation in society. life and their legal emancipation. Saud. women began to receive identity cards, be employed in ministries and departments, occupy positions of rectors of “units for women”, and be elected to the governing bodies of trade and industry. chambers, societies associations, work in the “women’s departments” of large stores. The country is actively discussing the issue of further expanding the rights of women, including the lifting of the ban on women driving cars.

An important place in the internal The policy of Abdallah ibn Abd al-Aziz was focused on weakening the influence of the ulema on Saudi Arabia. society and state. The sphere of female education was removed from the jurisdiction of the corps of teachers, transferred to the Ministry of Education, the Court of Cassation came under the auspices of the monarch (2007), as a result of which the state gained full control over Sharia legal proceedings, and the codification of Hanbali law began to be carried out. In Feb. 2009 Abdallah ibn Abd al-Aziz reformed the Council of Supreme Ulema (appointments to it are completely controlled by the authorities), introducing theologians representing non-Hanbali Sunni legal schools into its composition. Thus they received an official. recognition in S.A. In the summer of 2014, a representative of the Ismaili community was added to the Council of Ministers, who took the post of Minister of Constitutional Court Affairs.

S.A. did not experience the shocks of the so-called period. Arab. spring, although under the influence of events in neighboring countries, domestic politics intensified in S.A. life, a petition movement developed, whose participants demanded the deepening of the constitution. reforms and the introduction of a “parliamentary monarchy” in the country, and an attempt was made to create the Islamic Party of the Nation. S.A. led the GCC initiative aimed at achieving political. changes in Yemen peacefully, thereby preventing weapons. confrontation between government and opposition. Further, condemning the state carried out in this country by the al-Houthi Movement. coup, S.A. contributed to the development of a unified position of the GCC, which qualified the al-Houthi Movement as “terrorist.” org-tion” and demanded the restoration of the constitution. order in Yemen. S.A. supported the actions of the Libyan opposition to overthrow the regime of M. Gaddafi in 2011, while adhering to a policy of non-interference in the intra-Libyan conflict that began in 2014. In March 2011, Saudi Arabia leadership, based on the request of the Bahraini monarch and declaring the need to “confront Iran. expansion,” brought its troops (supported by the armed forces of some GCC countries) into the territory of Bahrain. Saud. The leadership reacted negatively to the overthrow of Egypt. President M.H. Mubarak, refused to support the movement Muslim Brotherhood, approved the removal from power of M. Morsi and established close relations with the new head of Egypt A. F. al-Sisi. Continuing the course of countering Iran’s “hegemony” in the Islamic world and in the Persian Gulf zone, S.A. welcomed the resignation of the government of Nuri al-Maliki in Iraq and now considers the opening of the Saudi Arabia possible. embassy in Baghdad, declaring, however, that the presence of local Sunnis in power structures is insufficient. Saud. The government condemns Israel for its punitive actions in the Gaza Strip, but refuses contacts with the Hamas movement and provides support to the Palestinian National Authority. administration headed by M. Abbas. Countering radical sentiments in Arab. world, S.A. considers the “Arab. the peace initiative" as aimed at achieving it will end. political settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

In connection with the death of Abdullah ibn Abd al-Aziz on January 23, 2015 in Saudi Arabia. Salman ibn Abd al-Aziz ascended the throne. On April 29, 2015, he declared his nephew, Mohammed ibn Naef, as crown prince, and his son, Mohammed ibn Salman, as his successor.

On most global and regional problems (conflict situations in the Middle East, primarily around Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, the Arab-Israeli conflict), as well as on issues of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the fight against extremism and terrorism, transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and piracy, on the subject of the G20, the positions of the Russian Federation and S.A. coincide or are close. Bilateral contacts are maintained at senior and high levels. On Sept. 2003 Visited Moscow with official. visit of the future king S.A. Abdullah ibn Abd al-Aziz, during which he held negotiations with Russian President V.V. Putin. In Feb. 2007 official event took place. V.V. Putin’s visit to S.A. A set of bilateral agreements, memorandums and protocols was signed, including the General Agreement of November 20, 1994. Since 2002, the Joint Intergovernmental Organization has been operating. Russian-Saudi commission on trade and economics and scientific and technical cooperation and Russian-Saudi business council (within the framework of the Russian-Arab business council). Large projects are being implemented in S.A. companies OJSC LUKOIL Overseas, including within the framework of the joint venture with Saudi Aramco "LUKOIL Saudi Arabia Energy" (LUKSAR), OJSC Stroytransgaz, CJSC Globalstroy-Engineering, etc.

Russian-Saudi sphere relations neither in historical In retrospect, today it is not free, however, from the problems that complicate mutual understanding between the two countries. Saud. public and private foundations under the slogan of “Islamic solidarity” actively acted on growth. North Caucasus, providing financial support to the Chechens. separatists. Only on Sept. 2003, while in Moscow, Abdallah ibn Abd al-Aziz stated that the Chech. question – “internal. business" of Russia, and contributed to the further registration of growth. membership in the OIC as an observer country (from the end of June 2005). S.A. is wary of Iran. nuclear program, considering that the negotiations taking place around it do not sufficiently take into account its interests and the interests of the GCC countries. Most means. irritant in the Russian-Saudi region. relations is the situation in Syria, in relation to which S.A. insists on the resignation of B. Assad and the transfer of power to the National. coalition forces sire. opposition and revolution.

Farm

S.A. is a developing country with a high level of income. GDP volume is 1616.0 billion dollars (2014, at purchasing power parity; 14th place in the world, 1st among Arab countries); in terms of GDP per capita, 52.5 thousand dollars (high per capita income is determined by the relatively small population and, therefore, income from oil exports). Human Development Index 0.836 (2013; 34th among 187 countries).

The basis of the economy is the production and export of oil (43% of GDP, 2014; over 80% of the state budget revenue) and petrochemicals. industry GDP dynamics means. largely due to oil prices. Wed. the growth rate of real GDP in 2000–08 was 5.1%, in 2009 – 1.8%, in 2010 – 7.4%, in 2011 – 8.6%, in 2012 – 5.8%, in 2013 – 3 ,8%.

Since the 1990s Much attention is paid to diversifying the economic structure and liberalizing the economy with increasing the role of private entrepreneurship. Economic development is carried out on the basis of 5-year plans. Great progress has been made in the development of petrochemicals. industry, infrastructure, energy, sea desalination. water, some industries in the light and food industries, as well as in healthcare. The development of new industries is facilitated by tax concessions, benefits for natural gas, electricity, etc. One of the chapters. obstacles to further diversification of the economy – lack of readiness b. Part of the economically active population to work in non-prestigious professions (the main part of those employed in industry are foreign workers).

The volume of accumulated direct foreign exchange. investment approx. 240.6 billion dollars (2013; at market prices), the total volume of external debt is estimated at 149.4 billion dollars. Inflation rates are approx. 3.7% (2013). S.A. has large foreign assets (approx. $737.6 billion, 2014), which are managed by sovereign national. investment funds. As part of attracting foreigners. investments in 2005, the country joined the WTO, the government began to create several “economic. cities" in various regions of the country.

Due to the decline in oil prices in 2013–14, there was a government surplus. The budget in 2013 decreased to $54.9 billion ($103 billion in 2012), the budget in 2014 was reduced to a deficit of $14.4 billion.

In the structure of GDP, the share of industry is 59.7%, the service sector - 38.3%, p. farming and fishing – 2.0% (2014).

Industry

Modern Manufacturing industries are in their infancy (in 2009–12, the total number of enterprises increased from 4887 to 6519). Basic role in industry production is played by mining (mainly the extraction of oil and natural gas) and petrochemical. industry Electric power industry, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, production of building materials, light industry, and food industry are also highlighted. In the beginning. 21st century The automotive, electrical, pharmaceutical, and pulp and paper industries are developing. Based on the number of employees, petrochemical industries are distinguished. (142.6 thousand people, 2012) and food (114.4) industry.

Prom. enterprises are built in complexes (the so-called industrial or economic cities; 14 in 2007, 28 in 2012; the largest are in Yanbu al-Bahr, Medina district; Al-Jubail and Ras al-Khair, both -n Vostochny) with pre-prepared production. and social infrastructure and are located Ch. arr. by sea the perimeter of the country.

Fuel industry

The basis of the fuel industry is oil production and refining. The industry is governed by the Supreme Petroleum Council [includes state. Saudi Arabian Oil Co. ("Saudi Aramco"; the world's largest in terms of oil reserves and production) and "Saudi Basic Industries Corporation" (SABIC)]. S.A. is a key member. Organizations of oil exporting countries(approx. 1/3 of the total production of the countries included in the organization).

Oil production 542.3 million tons (2012; 1st place in the world); basic area - the Al-Hasa lowland and the adjacent shelf zone of the Persian Gulf. (according to production volumes, deposits in the Vostochny region are distinguished: Gavar, Saffaniya-Khafji, Khurais, Manifa, Sheiba, Qatif, Khursaniya, Zuluf, Abqaiq, etc.); Several are being developed south of Riyadh. new ultra-light oil fields. Oil export 378.6 million tons (2013; 1st place in the world). Approx. processed annually. 101.4 million tons of crude oil (2012; production of fuel oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, jet fuel, lubricating oils, etc.).

The world's largest complex for primary oil refining is in Abqaiq (Bukaiq; Vostochny district; Saudi Aramco company; capacity 348.5 million tons per year; about 70% of produced oil is processed; including production in light and ultra-light oil). The largest refineries in the cities: Ras Tanura (Eastern district; capacity of about 26 million tons of crude oil per year), Rabigh (Mecca region), Yanbu al-Bahr (both - about 19 million tons ), Al-Jubail (approx. 15 million tons).

Natural gas production 111 billion m 3 (2012; according to other data, 93 billion m 3; about 70% is associated gas from the Gavar, Saffaniya-Khafji and Zuluf fields; it is planned to increase production through the development of the Karan, Wasit and other fields .). There are plants for processing and liquefying natural gas (total capacity of over 61 million tons in 2013) in Abqaiq, Yanbu al-Bahr, Haradh, Hawiyah (the last two are in the Vostochny region), etc.

Electric power industry

Electricity production approx. 292.2 billion kWh (2013; more than doubled compared to 2000); 100% is generated at thermal power plants, the largest: Riyadh (in Riyadh; capacity 5336 MW), Ghazlan (in Ras Tannur; 4128 MW), Qurayya (in Abqaiq, 3927 MW). The increase in demand for electricity is caused by industrial development, population growth and high energy consumption for air cooling in the summer months (approx. 2/3 of consumption in the residential sector). Solar energy is developing. The industry is managed by the Saudi Electricity Company and regional electricity production companies, and there are also several operating companies. independent generating companies.

Thermal power plants operate with desalination. installations. S.A. is one of the world's leading producers of desalinated water (the development of the industry is of great importance due to the acute shortage of natural fresh water resources); desalinizes installations provide up to 60% of national needs (2013; leading company - state-owned Saline Water Conversion Corporation).

Ferrous metallurgy

Ferrous metallurgy is represented by the extraction of iron ore (760 thousand tons in terms of metal, 2012), direct reduction of iron (5.7 million tons), steel smelting (5.2 million tons) and the production of ferroalloys (196 thousand tons). T). S.A. imports means. part of iron ores and rolled metal. There are rolling mills [with a capacity of 5.5 million tons of rolled steel per year in Al-Jubail, as part of the leading national Saudi Iron and Steel Company (Hadeed); power approx. 800 thousand tons in Dammam, etc.], pipe rolling (jointly owned by ArcelorMittal and Bin Jarallah Group; seamless pipes, including large diameter ones, for the oil and gas industry; approx. 500 thousand t; in Al-Jubail), ferroalloys (Gulf Ferro Alloys Company; in Al-Jubail), for the production of steel reinforcement [in Jeddah (1.1 million tons per year) and Al-Kharj, district Riyadh (755.5 thousand tons), both are part of one of the leading national. companies "Rajhi Steel Industries Co."], billets (950 thousand tons), coils (250 thousand tons; both are part of the company "Rajhi Steel Industries Co.", Jeddah), slabs, etc.

Non-ferrous metallurgy

Mining of non-ferrous metal ores (thousand tons, 2012) is underway: bauxite (760; deposits of Ez-Zabira, Hail district, and El-Bayta, district of Al-Qassim), zinc (15, in terms of metal; deposits Al-Masane, Najran district; Al-Amar, Riyadh district; Mahd-ed-Dahab, Medina district), etc.; as well as (t, 2012) silver (7.9), gold (4.3; including the El-Amar, Mahd-ed-Dahab deposits; El-Hajar, Asir district; Bulgah, district Medina). Metallurgical complex in Ras al-Khair is one of the largest in the world [jointly owned by the national. "Saudi Arabian Mining Company" ("Ma'aden") and Amer. Alcoa; power approx. 1.8 million tons of alumina and approx. 740 thousand tons of primary aluminum]. Plants for the enrichment of gold ore in Bulgah and Sukhaybarat (Medina district). Smelting (t, 2013): zinc 28.0, copper approx. 10.0, lead st. 0.5, etc. (mostly sampled from imported raw materials). Production of aluminum foil and containers, copper wire, etc.

Mechanical engineering

The automotive industry is actively developing. There are automobile assembly plants in Dammam (Isuzu trucks) and Jeddah (Mercedes-Benz trucks); production of automotive parts and components. Release divers. equipment (energy; for the oil and gas industry - production and technological center of the American company General Electric in Dammam), cable products, assembly of household appliances, etc. Shipbuilding, ship repair and aircraft repair enterprises, mechanical. workshops.

Chemical industry

The organization and management of the industry is carried out by the head. arr. national SABIC holding; b. including petrochemical plants are located in the cities of Al-Jubail (as part of the Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company - a joint venture between SABIC and the American Exxon Mobil, Saudi Japanese Acrylonitrile Company - a joint venture between SABIC and the Japanese corporations Asahi Kasei Chemicals and Mitsubishi, etc.) and Yanbu el-Bahre (including the Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company complex with a capacity of up to 5.6 million tons of products per year) (operate in cooperation with refineries).

Basic organic products synthesis (production capacity, million tons per year, 2014): ethylene 19.5 (3rd place in the world; approx. 11% of world production), polyethylene approx. 18.4 (including high pressure approx. 3.5), methanol approx. 8.9, ammonia approx. 7.9, propylene St. 6.5, polypropylene approx. 5.6, urea 5.5, ethylene glycol 4.3, ethylene oxide 3.3, styrene 2.5, etc.

Miner production occupies an important place. fertilizers: phosphorus (based on phosphorites from the El-Jalamid deposit, El-Hudud al-Shamaliya district; it includes an enrichment plant with a capacity of 5 million tons of concentrate per year), nitrogen, etc.; basic centers are Al-Jubail and Ras al-Khair.

Production of sulfuric acid in Ras al-Khair and Yanbu al-Bahr, phosphoric acid and nitrogen in Ras al-Khair, chlorine, caustic. soda and hydrochloric acid - near Dammam, titanium dioxide - in Yanbu el-Bahr and Jizan, magnesia - near Medina. Production of polymer films (including polyethylene and polypropylene) and materials, plastic products (including a plant for the production of plastic pipes in Riyadh), thermoplastics. resins, decomposition coatings, industrial adhesives, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and sanitary and hygienic products.

Construction materials industry

The building materials industry is based on its own. raw materials. Extraction (million tons, 2012): limestone (over 49), building. sand and gravel (approx. 27), brick and refractory clay (approx. 6), gypsum (st. 2); as well as (thousand tons, 2012) feldspar (168), kaolin (58, Ez-Zabira deposit), marble (25), etc. Cement production 50 million tons (2012); basic plants (capacity, million tons, 2012) - in Al-Hofuf (8.6), Riyadh (6.3), Rabigh (4.8), Yanbu al-Bahr (4.0) and Jal- el-Watahe (near Buraidah, 4.0).

Woodworking, pulp and paper, light and food industries

The country is rapidly developing woodworking, pulp and paper [including the production of furniture, cardboard (factory of the leading regional manufacturer - MEPCO company in Jeddah), paper (Dammam)], light (especially clothing production; large a role is played by handicraft enterprises - textile, weaving, carpet-making, leather and footwear, jewelry, pottery, etc.; the main centers are Jeddah, Mecca, Taif), food processing (the main production of drinks, as well as dairy products, confectionery , bakery and tobacco products, processing of agricultural raw materials, including dates, fish, etc.) industry. Printing enterprises.

Agriculture

Since the 1960s The state plays a leading role in the development of the industry: the introduction of modern technology. technology and engineering; state programs to provide peasants with land plots, issue interest-free loans and compensation for the purchase of equipment, seeds and fertilizers; support for purchase prices for grains and dates; providing benefits and subsidies to livestock farmers (increasing breeding stock at the expense of the state, importing feed and livestock from abroad), encouraging private initiative.

Large companies predominate in production. Possibilities of conducting s. farms are limited by natural climate. conditions (rainfed farming is possible on lands in the southwestern part of the country).

In the structure of agricultural of land (million hectares, 2011) out of 173.4, pastures account for 170.0, arable land - 3.2, perennial plantings - 0.2. S.A. provides itself with some types of food, but cannot achieve complete self-sufficiency (up to 80% of food is imported, 2012).

Leading industry farms - crop production. It develops in large oases (Al-Hasa in the Eastern region, Ed-Dawasir in the Riyadh region, etc.) and on irrigated lands (in the Asir, Riyadh, Al-Qassim, Eastern, etc.) regions. , as well as in greenhouse farms. Ch. agricultural crop – date palm. Date collection 1065 thousand tons (2013; 3rd place in the world); They also grow wheat, vegetables, fruits, etc.

In livestock farming there are large modern feedlot farms. Dairy and beef cattle breeding is concentrated around Riyadh, in the Al Qassim and Eastern regions. Traditional camel breeding, sheep breeding and horse breeding (common in the interior of the country and in mountainous regions). Poultry farming. Beekeeping. Livestock (million heads of livestock, 2013): sheep 11.5, goats 3.4, cattle 0.5, camels 0.3. Production (thousand tons, 2013): milk 2338.0, meat 802.8, leather and skins 51.5, wool 11.5. Fishing; fishing for pearls and sponges in the Persian Gulf, mining of black coral and amber.

Services sector

Stand out (billions of dollars, 2012) state. services (90.2), wholesale and retail trade, restaurant and hotel business (58.4), financial and business services (55.6), transport and logistics. services and communications (approx. 31.0), social and personal services (approx. 12.0). The country's financial system is regulated by the S.A. Monetary Agency (Central Bank, 1957; in Riyadh); largest commercial banks - state National commercial bank (1953; Jeddah), state. Al Rajhi, Riyad (both in Riyadh), etc. Saud. stock exchange (Tadawul; the only one in the country; in Riyadh). In 2014, 16.7 million people visited the country. (over 55% from Arab countries), income amounted to $9.2 billion. Main. Types of incoming tourism - religious (36.7% in 2012; mainly from Jordan and Pakistan; main centers - Mecca and Medina), business (18.6%), visiting relatives and friends (17.7%).

Transport

Basic mode of transport – automobile. The total length of roads is 221.4 thousand km, including 47.5 thousand km with hard surfaces (2006). Ch. roads pass through the main settlements, and also connect S.A. with Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Yemen. The dam bridge (length approx. 25 km) connects S.A. with Bahrain. The total length of railways is 1378 km (2008). Several international airports (the largest are in Jeddah and Riyadh). Aviation passenger turnover transport 68 million people (2013). Mor. transport is served by Ch. arr. foreign trade transportation. Mor. the fleet consists of 72 vessels (2010; including 45 tankers). Ch. mor. ports (cargo turnover, million tons in 2012): Jeddah 62.7, Jubail 52.8, Yanbu al-Bahr 40.0, Dammam 27.4, Ras al-Khair 2.3, Jizan 1.5 , Duba (Diba) 1.1 (Medina district). An extensive network of pipelines has been created. The total length of oil pipelines is 5117 km [including the Trans-Arabian Abqaiq – Yanbu el-Bahr (“Petroline”, or East-West) with a length of approx. 1200 km from the oil fields of the Persian Gulf. to oil refineries and ports of Krasnyi metro; underwater from S.A. fields to Bahrain], oil product pipelines 1150 km (Dahran - Riyadh, length about 380 km; Riyadh - Qasim, length about 354 km, etc.), gas pipelines 2940 km (Abqaiq - Yanbu -el-Bahr, etc.), for the transportation of liquefied natural gas - 1183 km (Abqaiq - Yanbu el-Bahr, etc.), condensate - 209 km (2013). Metro in Mecca and Riyadh (under construction, 2015).

International trade

The balance of foreign trade turnover is traditionally active. The volume of foreign trade turnover (million dollars, 2014) is 521.6, including exports 359.4, imports 162.2. The commodity structure of exports is dominated (% of value, 2013) by minerals. resources 87.5 (main crude oil), chemical products. industry 9.4. Ch. buyers (% of value, 2013): China 13.9, USA 13.6, Japan 13.0, Republic of Korea 9.8, India 9.5. Imported (% of value, 2013): machinery and transport equipment 43.3, chemical products. industry and other metal products 22.9, food and agricultural products goods 14.3. Ch. suppliers (% of cost, 2013): USA 13.1, China 12.9, India 8.1, Germany 7.4, Republic of Korea 6.1.

Armed forces

The Armed Forces (AF) number 233.5 thousand people. (2014) and consist of 4 types - Ground Forces (ground forces), air force, air defense forces, navy and independent forces. kind of missile forces. In addition to the regular army, the armed forces also include national ones. guard, border troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (10.5 thousand people), coast guard (4.5 thousand), industrial forces. security (9 thousand people), intended for action in crisis situations. During the threatened period and during the war. time, military officers may be involved in the interests of the Armed Forces. formations and units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Military annual budget $62 billion (2014 estimate). Supreme Commander. The Armed Forces is the head of the state - the king, who exercises general leadership through the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff and the Military. inspection. The king appoints min. defense, chief of the General Staff and commanders of the armed forces.

NE (75 thousand people) – main. type of aircraft. The combat structure of the Army includes: brigades (4 armored, 5 mechanized, artillery, airborne), army aviation command (2 aviation brigades) and other units. They are in service with approx. 600 tanks, 300 armored personnel carriers, 1420 armored personnel carriers, 780 infantry fighting vehicles, 240 towed guns, 60 MLRS, 440 mortars, 2400 ATGM launchers, 900 short-range air defense systems, 1000 MANPADS. Army aviation has 12 combat and 55 multi-purpose and transport helicopters.

The Air Force (20 thousand people) is organized organizationally into commands (operational, supply, etc.) and aviation. squadrons. The Air Force is armed with approx. 300 combat aircraft, including 170 fighter-bombers (7 squadrons) and 110 fighters (6 squadrons). Military transport aviation has 45 aircraft. In addition, there are 16 refueling aircraft, St. 100 combat and training aircraft. Helicopter aviation numbers approx. 80 units. The Air Force also includes the Royal Airlift Wing - 16 aircraft. There are 15 militaries in the country. airfields, including 5 ch. Air Force bases (Dhahran, Taif, Khamis Mushait, Tabuk, Riyadh).

The air defense troops (16 thousand people) consist of anti-aircraft missile forces, anti-aircraft artillery and radio engineering units. troops. Organizationally, the air defense forces are consolidated into 6 districts. Interceptor fighters from the Air Force are operationally subordinate to the air defense. The air defense forces are armed with 144 Patriot missile launchers, 128 Improved Hawk missile launchers, 141 Shahin missile launchers, 40 Krotal self-propelled launchers, 270 anti-aircraft guns and installations, etc.

The Navy (13.5 thousand people) includes 2 fleets, each of them with several. groups of ships and boats. In service there are 7 guided missile frigates, 4 corvettes, 9 missile boats, 17 large and 39 small patrol boats, 7 mine-sweeping ships, 8 landing boats, 2 supply transports, 13 tugs; to sea aviation - 34 helicopters (including 21 combat ones). Mor. the infantry (3 thousand people) is represented by a regiment (2 battalions), armed with 140 armored personnel carriers. Coastal defense troops have 4 batteries of Otomat mobile coastal missile systems. Basic naval bases and bases - Jeddah, Al-Jubail, Yanbu al-Bahr, etc.

The coast guard (4.5 thousand people) has 50 patrol boats, 350 motor boats, and a training vessel.

National The guard (100 thousand people) includes regular formations (75 thousand people) and tribal detachments. Its main purpose - protection of the monarchy. regime, protection of governments. institutions, oil fields and other objects. Subordinates directly to the king, formed in the main. on a tribal basis, coordinates its actions with the Ministry of Defense, General Staff, security forces and police. Organizationally it consists of brigades (3 mechanized, 5 infantry) and cavalry. squadron (for ceremonial purposes). In service approx. 2000 armored personnel carrier, 514 armored personnel carrier, 70 art. guns, 110 mortars of 81 and 120 mm calibers, St. 120 PU ATGM.

Recruitment of regular aircraft on a voluntary basis. Men aged 18–35 years are accepted for service. Mobilization resources 5.9 million people, including those fit for military service. service 3.4 million people. Weapons and military The equipment is almost entirely imported (from the USA and Great Britain).

The training of privates and non-commissioned officers is carried out in training centers and schools, officers - in academies of the armed forces and abroad. There are a large number of foreigners in the regular armed forces. military specialists.

Healthcare

Per 100 thousand inhabitants there are 94 doctors; 22 hospital beds – for 10 thousand inhabitants. (2011). There are 244 hospitals and 2037 health centers (2009). The overall mortality rate for adults. 3.32 per 1000 inhabitants. (2014). Basic causes of death – cardiovascular and oncological. diseases, diabetes. Total healthcare expenditures amount to 3.7% of GDP (2011) (budgetary funding – 65.8%, private – 34.2%; 2012). Legal regulation of healthcare is carried out on the basis of the Fund. nizam on power (1992), laws on cooperative health insurance (1999), on private medical services. laboratories (2002), about labor (2005). The Ministry of Health provides preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitation services. honey. assistance and their financing. For citizens of S.A. med. help is free. The healthcare system is divided into primary, secondary and tertiary levels of medical care. service. There is also Islamic Cooperative Health Insurance (Takaful). Basic recreation areas - Al-Khobar, Dammam, Jeddah, etc.

Sport

The SA Olympic Committee was founded and recognized by the IOC in 1964. Since 1972, SA athletes have taken part in the Olympic Games (with the exception of the games in Moscow, 1980); 3 medals were won - silver in the 400 m hurdles (Hadi al-Somaili in Sydney, 2000) and 2 bronze (Khaled al-Eid, individual show jumping in 2000 and team show jumping in London, 2012). The most popular sport is football. The SA Football Federation was founded in 1956. The SA national football team is a 3-time winner (1984, 1988, 1996) and a 3-time finalist (1992, 2002, 2007) of the Asian Cup; in 1994 she played in the 1/8 World Cup. The capital's Al-Hilal club (1957) is one of the strongest in Asia, a 13-time national champion (1977–2011), hosts opponents at the stadium. King Fahd (approx. 62 thousand seats).

SA athletes have been taking part in the Asian Games since 1978 (with the exception of 1998); in 1978–2014, 24 gold, 11 silver and 20 bronze medals were won.

Education. Scientific and cultural institutions

The education system in S.A. took shape towards the end. 20th century Regulatory documents – Document on formation. politics (1969) and Strategic. Ministry of Education plan (2004–14). Preparation of Prof. personnel is under the jurisdiction of the Corporation for Vocational and Technical. education, sphere of higher education – Ministry of Higher Education. Education is free at all levels. The education system includes: preschool education (underdeveloped), 6-year primary education, 5-year (3-year incomplete and 2-year complete) education. 3-year vocational-technical course education is provided in junior colleges. Preschool education covered (2013) 13.2% of children, primary education – 93.4%, secondary education – 90.1%. The literacy rate of the population aged 15 years and older is 96% (data from the UNESCO Institute of Statistics). Higher education is provided by high fur boots, higher technical. institutes, colleges of technology, pedagogical. colleges, colleges for girls. In the country there are St. 20 universities: Islamic University named after. Imam Muhammad ibn Saud (1950, current status since 1974), University named after. King Saud (1957) - both in Riyadh, University of Petroleum and Mining. resources named after King Fahd in Dhahran (1963, current status since 1975), Univ. King Faisal (has branches in Dammam and Al-Hofuf) (1975), University of Science and Technology. King Abdullah (2009; 80 km from Jeddah), as well as the high fur boots of Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, Mecca, etc. The largest libraries: National (1968) and public. King Abd al-Aziz (1999) - both in Riyadh, King Abd al-Aziz in Medina (1983) and others. Nat. museum in Riyadh (1999).

Among scientific institutions: Research Center named after. King Abd al-Aziz (1972) and the Center for Research and Study of Islam. King Faisal (1983) - both in Riyadh; Center for Research in Islamic Education in Mecca (1980), Institute of Islamic Studies in Jeddah (1982).

Mass media

Daily newspapers are published in Arabic. languages: “Al-Jazeera” (“Peninsula”; since 1960; circulation about 123 thousand copies, Riyadh), “Al-Bilad” (“Country”; since 1934; about 30 thousand. copies, Jeddah), “Al-Madina” (“Medina”; since 1937; about 60 thousand copies, Jeddah), “Ukaz” (“Ukaz Newspaper”; since 1960; about 250 thousand . copies, Jeddah), “An-Nadwa” (“Club”; since 1958; approx. 30 thousand copies, Mecca), “Al-Yaum” (“Day”; since 1965; approx. 135 thousand copies, Dammam). In English. language daily newspapers are published: Arab News (since 1975; approx. 51 thousand copies), Saudi Gazette (since 1976; approx. 50 thousand copies, both in Jeddah). Radio broadcasting since 1948, television since 1964. Broadcasting of television and radio programs is carried out by the SA Broadcasting Service (Riyadh), the Government Television Service of the SA (Riyadh), Aramco Radio (Dhahran), Dhahran TV ( Dhahran). National information Saudi Press Agency (founded 1970, Riyadh).

Literature

The literature of the peoples of S.A. is created in Arabic. language. Before gaining statehood, S.A. developed in line with the Arab- Muslim culture; in the beginning. 20th century presented in the main poetry in classical Arab. language, as well as prosaic. works of religion, history. and didactic. character. In con. 1920s - early 1930s Signs of renewal are noticeable: romanticism arose in poetry that reflected the influence of Egyptian literature. A major role in the development of prose was played by the book published in Medina since 1937. "al-Manhal", who published translations of stories from Western. and east languages; his publishers Abd al-Quddus al-Ansari and Ahmed Rida Khuhu became the founders of the short story genre, which initially had an exclusively edifying and sentimental character. Didacticism permeates the novels of Abd al-Quddus al-Ansari (“Twins”, 1930), Muhammad Maghribi (“Resurrection”, 1942), Ahmed Rida Khuhu (“The Girl from Mecca”, 1947) and Ahmed al-Sibai (“Thought”, 1948), who promoted education. and cultural reforms.

From the beginning 1950s realism began to take hold; got to graduate. modern design prosaic genres, literature acquired pronounced national. features determined by the characteristics of culture, life, socio-political. life. It's rushing. changes in lifestyle were reflected in the novels “The Price of Sacrifice” by Hamid Damanhuri (1959; in Russian translation 1966 “Love and Duty”) and “The Hole in the Veil of Night” by Ibrahim al-Humeidan (1959), which determined the main themes of realism. prose – the conflict of “fathers” and “sons”, modernization of societies. morals Among the most prominent realist prose writers: Abd ar-Rahman ash-Sha'ir, Sibai Usman, Najat Hayat. The characteristic feature is realistic. prose - autobiography: novels by Fuad Ankawi, Isam Haukir, Abd al-Aziz Mishri, as well as the trilogy of Turki al-Hamad “Ghosts in Deserted Lanes” (1995–98).

From the 2nd half. 1970s modernist aesthetics are established. Interest in the subconscious, the construction of a subjective, often irrational image of the world turned out to be a convenient opportunity to overcome censorship obstacles. The expression of unconscious desires, manias and obsessive states of an “alienated” person who has lost faith in the rationality of the world around him is at the center of the stories of Muhammad Alwan, Hussein Ali Hussein, Jarallah al-Hamid, Sada al-Dawsari, Abdallah Bahashwein, Noura al-Ghamedi, Badriya al-Bishr, Layla al-Uhaidib. Connection of modern Narrative forms with folklore techniques are distinguished by the works of Miryam al-Ghamedi, Hassan an-Nimi, Sultana al-Sideiri.

A wide variety of styles is inherent in literature. 20 – beginning 21st centuries: the novel “Reyhana” by Ahmed al-Duwaihi (1991) appears as a mosaic of scenes snatched from different points in space and time; mixing modernity with Arab. Middle-century heritage and people legends mark the novels “The Fortress” by Abd al-Aziz Mishri (1992) and “The Silk Road” by Raja Alem (1995). Warda Abd al-Malik's novel The Return (2006) uses the technique stream of consciousness. Great popularity in Arabic. The novels “She Shoots Sparks” by Abdo Hal (2008) and “The Necklace of Doves” by Raja Alem (2010) have gained popularity around the world.

Architecture and fine arts

Artist Since ancient times, SA culture developed in oases connected by caravan routes. The oldest artifacts date back to the early Lower Paleolithic (stone tools). In the Neolithic era, ceramics, objects made of obsidian, petroglyphs with scenes of hunting and rituals, figures of people and animals appeared (Jubba oasis near the city of Hail). From the 6th millennium BC. e. there is an increase in cultural ties with the South. Mesopotamia, as evidenced by the finds of Ubaid painted ceramics in the north-east. parts of the country. From the end 4th millennium BC e. tools made of bronze, vessels made of stone with carved decoration, and painted ceramics with zoomorphic and geometric designs are becoming widespread. ornaments, carved seals of the Mesopotamian type; monumental buildings (sanctuaries, tower tombs), stone sculpture (tombstone anthropomorphic steles from the environs of Hail and the El-Ula oasis, late 4th - 3rd millennium BC) appear. Monuments of the 1st half. 1st millennium BC e. (for example, the ruins of religious buildings and the palace of the Babylonian king Nabonidus in the oasis of Taima, mid-6th century BC) indicate increased contacts with Assyria and Babylonia. In the north of the country there are monuments of the kingdom of Lihyan (el-Ula oasis - ancient Dedan, 5-2 centuries BC) and Nabataean kingdom(city of Hegra, modern Madain-Salih, 2nd century BC - 1st century AD; included in the list World Heritage): rectangular sanctuaries, rock tombs with jagged facades (2nd century BC - 1st century AD), fragments of stone statues with generalized rough facial features and reliefs with images of animals. At the turn of the 1st millennium BC. e. – 1st millennium AD e. in the department In the regions of S.A., the influence of Greco-Roman is evident in wall paintings, bronze sculpture, and jewelry. culture (finds from the excavations of Qaryat el-Faw, etc.). The largest Hellenistic ensemble on the territory of S.A. - the remains of the city and the royal necropolis of Saj near the city of Al-Jubail. From 4th–6th centuries. the ruins of the department have been preserved. Christian buildings (church near Al-Jubail). From Middle Ages. Islamic architecture of S.A. survived by a few monuments in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, also at the sites of pilgrims. Gor. development gray 18 – beginning 20th centuries bears Ottoman and Egyptian features. influences Traditional residential architecture is represented by buildings made of mud brick (in inland areas) or coral limestone and wood (in Hijaz and on the coast of the Red Sea), lined with gypsum, on a stone base, with wood. beam ceiling. Jeddah and Medina are characterized by tower houses with flat roofs, wooden. bars (mashrabiya) on the balconies, for Abhi - houses with eaves (from the rain).

After the formation of the independent state of S.A. in Riyadh, Jeddah and other cities, along with traditions. development, with middle 20th century modern multi-storey buildings appear. type, using concrete. Since the 1970s construction is underway with the involvement of foreigners. architects and urban planners (general plans for 10 cities in the northern and central parts of the country, the firm of K. A. Doxiadis), on the site of historical. buildings are being built in modern times. neighborhoods with buildings in international style, but with elements of tradition. Islamic architecture (mosques in Jeddah, architect Abdel Wahid al-Wakil). New types of societies are emerging. buildings (al-Khairiya complex, 1982, architect Tange Kenzo; construction of the international airports named after King Khalid in Riyadh, 1983, and in Jeddah, 1981, architectural bureau "Skidmore, Owings & Merrill", International Stadium . King Fahd in Riyadh, 1987, etc.). From the end 20th century in connection with the reconstruction of the Sacred Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina and the creation of numerous. pilgrim complexes, mountains ensembles are being intensively developed in modern times. builds. technologies and sun protection structures, decorative materials. Among the newest buildings are the Faisaliya Tower (2000, architect N. Foster and others), the Royal Center Tower (2003, both in Riyadh).

Modern S.A. painting and sculpture began to develop in the 2nd half. 20th century (A. Radvi, M. Mossa al-Salim, F. Samra, etc.). Nar. The claim is presented traditionally. jewelry, amulets, leather and wool products.

Culture

Culture is strongly associated with Islam; public theaters, cinemas, and secular music concerts are prohibited. Since 1985, an annual national event has been held near Riyadh. festival “Dzhenadria” (folk music and dances, in which only men participate; poetry, painting, etc.).

This article is about the people living in Saudi Arabia. For people of Saudi Arabian ethnicity, see Saudi Arabian.

Vital statistics

The following data was obtained from the CIA by country as of 2018.

• Birth rate: 15.6 births/1000 population
• Mortality: 3.3 deaths/1000 population
• Maternal mortality rate: 12 deaths/100,000 live births
• Infant mortality rate:
  • males: 13 deaths/1,000 live births
  • female: 11.1 deaths/1000 live births
• Total fertility rate: 2.04 births/woman

Saudi Arabia ranks 111th compared to the world with a birth rate of 15.6 births per 1,000 people according to the CIA's 2018 World Country Report. The nation's death rate is 220th in the world with 3.3 deaths per 1,000 people. Although the birth rate has fallen in the last two decades, the rate of decline has not matched the significant decline in the death rate. Because of this, Saudi Arabia has experienced a population explosion in the last 40 years, and continues to grow at a rate of 1.63% per year. Saudi Arabia's population growth is still 0.295% higher than the population growth rate in the Middle East and North Africa. The infant mortality rate has decreased significantly over the past twenty years, from 25.3 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1995 to 6.3 deaths in 2017, according to the World Bank. Saudi Arabia has a significantly lower infant mortality rate compared to the Middle East and North Africa region, which still faces a high of 19.3 deaths per 1,000 live births as of 2017. This significant decrease may be due to increased access to modern healthcare throughout the country, ranking 26th in the world for the quality of its healthcare system. Construction of new hospitals and primary health centers throughout the Kingdom, as well as health care during pregnancy and increased use of vaccinations to reduce infant mortality and increase life expectancy.

UN estimates

Nationality and ethnicity

Nationality

noun: Saudi (s)
adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabia

Ethnos

The ethnic composition of Saudi citizens is 90% Arab and 10% Afro-Asian.

urbanization

The following data was obtained from the CIA by country of the world

urban population: 83.8% of total population (2018)

urbanization rate: 2.17% annual change (2015-20 EST)

Historically, the population of Saudi Arabia followed a nomadic lifestyle. After the discovery of oil in the 1930s, the Kingdom became much more populated with people moving to centers of high economic activity. Significant population growth can be seen in the growth of urbanization throughout Saudi Arabia, which has grown by 2 percent over the past ten years. Saudi Arabia's largest cities have become inundated with new residents as more people move to urban cities to find better job opportunities, and overcrowding has become a serious problem across the country.

migration

Migration is an important part of Saudi Arabia's society and cultures, as the country's thriving oil economy attracts large numbers of foreign workers from an assortment of countries across Asia and the Arab world. After diversifying the economy in response to the oil boom of the 1970s, the Saudi government has encouraged skilled and semi-skilled workers to enter the kingdom as demand for infrastructure and development intensifies. Saudi Arabia is one of the top five immigrant destination countries worldwide, currently hosting 5.3 million international migrants within its borders. In 2017, non-natives accounted for 37% of the Kingdom's total population, more than double that of the United States, whose immigrants make up 15% of the country's total population. The majority of the foreign population born in Saudi Arabia are males between the ages of 25 and 45. These immigrants make up a larger percentage of the total population in this age group compared to born Saudis aged 25-45, according to the Organization

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whose population dates back to the second millennium BC (it was then that the indigenous Arab tribes occupied the entire Arabian Peninsula), is today a major member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. The state ranks second in the world in the production and export of oil and petroleum products. In addition, referring to Mecca and Medina - the main holy cities of Islam - Saudi Arabia is called the Land of the Two Holy Mosques. It is the rich deposits of black gold and the penetration of religion into many areas of life that distinguish the kingdom.

General information about Saudi Arabia

The state from where Islam spread occupies about 80% of the territory of the Arabian Peninsula. Most of the country is occupied by desert areas, foothills and mountains of medium height, so that less than 1% of the land is suitable for cultivation. The Arabian Peninsula is one of the few places on Earth where summer temperatures consistently exceed 50 degrees.

The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh. Other major cities are Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Em-Dammam, Al-Hofuf. There are 27 settlements with a population of more than 100 thousand people, four millionaire cities. The capital of Saudi Arabia is traditionally not only the administrative, but also the political, scientific, educational and business center of the country. Religious and cultural centers, shrines of the state - Mecca and Medina.

The official symbols are the Saudi flag, coat of arms and anthem. The flag is a green cloth with a sword, symbolizing the victories of the founder of the state, and an inscription - the Muslim symbol of faith (shahadah). Interestingly, the flag of Saudi Arabia is never flown at half-mast on occasions of mourning. Also, the image cannot be applied to clothing and souvenirs, since the Shahada is considered sacred for Muslims.

The king of Saudi Arabia who rules the state today is a direct descendant of the first king, Abdul Aziz. The power of Salman ibn Abdul-Aziz Al Saud from the Saudi dynasty is actually limited only by Sharia law. Important government decisions are made by the king after consultation with a group of religious leaders and other respected members of Saudi society.

Current demographic situation

The population of Saudi Arabia as of 2014 was 27.3 million people. About 30% of them are visitors, while the indigenous population is made up of Arab Saudis. After a brief stabilization of demographic indicators in 2000 at around 20 million people, the population of Saudi Arabia began to grow again. In general, the dynamics of the population of the kingdom do not show sharp jumps in population size.

Other relevant demographic indicators for Saudi Arabia are:

• birth rate - 18.8 per 1000 people;
• mortality - 3.3 per 1000 people;
• the total fertility rate is 2.2 children per woman;
• natural population growth - 15.1;
• migration population growth is 5.1 per 1000 people.

Density of inhabitants and pattern of settlement

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia covers an area of ​​2,149,610 square kilometers. In terms of territory, the state is 12th in the world and the first among the countries of the Arabian Peninsula. These data, as well as an approximate estimate of the population for 2015, make it possible to calculate the value of population density. The figure is 12 people per square kilometer.

Most of Saudi Arabia's population is concentrated in cities. Firstly, the relief and climate of the Arabian Peninsula make it possible to live comfortably only within the oases, around which the largest cities of the state were once formed. Secondly, a significant share of the urban population is due to the structure of the economy, where agriculture occupies an extremely small part, due to the tiny percentage of land suitable for growing plants and livestock.

The kingdom's urbanization rate is 82.3% and the corresponding rate is 2.4% per year. More than five million people live in the capital of Saudi Arabia. The total population of the remaining three million-dollar cities amounts to another six million Saudis. Thus, the four largest cities of the kingdom are home to eleven million people out of 31.5 (estimated for 2015), which is equal to approximately 35% of the country's inhabitants.

Religious affiliation of the population

Saudi Arabia, whose population is highly religious, is officially an Islamic state. Islam as the state religion is enshrined in the first article of the Basic Law of the state. 92.8% of Saudi Arabia's population is Muslim. By the way, tourists who do not profess Islam are prohibited from entering Mecca and Medina.

The second most followed religion in the kingdom is Christianity. The number of Christians is about 1.2 million, the majority of whom are foreigners. Quite often, cases of oppression of adherents of other religions (non-Muslims) are recorded in the country - Saudi Arabia is in sixth place among the states where the rights of Christians are most often oppressed.

Atheism in the kingdom is considered a grave sin and equated to terrorism, so it is impossible to estimate the exact number of non-believers in the country. The American Institute of Public Opinion, based on surveys, provides the following data: 5% of Saudis are convinced atheists, about 19% call themselves non-believers. Profile publications publish smaller figures, indicating only 0.7% in the “atheists and non-believers” column.

Sex and age structure of the population

Saudi Arabia, whose population is mostly of working age, is distinguished by a progressive (or growing) type of age-sex pyramid. This is better seen in a simplified diagram, where only three categories of citizens are distinguished: children and adolescents (up to 14 years of age), the working population (from 15 to 65 years old) and elderly people (over 65 years old).

There are about 22 million working-age people, accounting for 67.6% of the total Saudi population. There are 9.6 million children and adolescents in the state, or 29.4%; elderly people account for only 3%; this group makes up 0.9 million people. In general, the dependent part of citizens (children and pensioners supported by the adult population) amounts to 32.4% of Saudis. Such indicators do not create a particularly significant social burden on society.

Saudi Arabia, whose population traditionally oppresses the fair sex, has an almost equal gender structure of the population. The country's population is 55% male and 45% female.

Women's rights in Saudi Arabia

Women's rights are severely limited in a country like Saudi Arabia. The population is deeply religious, so they follow all religious norms. Thus, women are prohibited from driving, voting, using public transport unless accompanied by a husband or male relative, and communicating with men (except for relatives and husband). Representatives of the fair sex are required to wear long dark robes, and in some regions only their eyes are allowed to be left open.

The quality of education for women in Saudi Arabia is worse than for men. In addition, female students receive smaller stipends than their male counterparts. And in general, representatives of the fair sex do not have the right to study, work or travel outside the country unless their husband or closest male relative allows them to do so. Even for rape in Saudi Arabia, the woman can be punished, not the criminal. In this case, the victim is charged with “provocation to rape” or violation of the dress code.

Saudi Arabia, whose population gives the main prerogative to men, adheres to the principles of gender segregation. For example, houses have separate entrances for women and men, restaurants are divided into several zones (women's, men's and family), special events are held separately, and classes for students of different genders are held at different times so that boys and girls do not overlap .

The King of Saudi Arabia has repeatedly stated that women will soon be granted certain rights. For example, he said that he would allow women to drive cars as soon as Saudi society was ready for this step. Of course, we will have to wait quite a long time for equal rights for women and men in Saudi society (and this is simply contrary to Islamic norms), but there are already some concessions for the fair sex.

Literacy rate of the kingdom's inhabitants

Saudi Arabia, which has a fairly literate population (94.4% of citizens over 15 can read and write), has different literacy rates for women and men. Thus, 97% of men and 91% of women can read and write, which is associated with the traditional oppression of the rights of the fair sex. However, among young people (from 15 to 24 years old), literacy rates are approximately equal: in Saudi Arabia, 99.4% and 99.3% of literate young men and women, respectively.

Culture in Saudi Arabia

The culture of the kingdom is very closely connected with the state religion. Muslims are forbidden to consume pork and alcohol, so mass celebrations are practically excluded. In addition, cinemas and theaters are prohibited in the country, but such establishments exist in areas populated mainly by foreigners. Home video viewing is very common in Saudi Arabia, and Western films are largely uncensored.

State economic structure

The country has 25% of the world's oil reserves, which determines the basis of the economy of a state such as Saudi Arabia. Oil provides almost all export revenues (90%). In the last thirty years, industry, transport, and trade have also developed, but the share of agriculture in the economy is very small.

The currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal. The exchange rate of the monetary unit is pegged to the US dollar at a ratio of 3.75 to 1. In conclusion, information for tourists on how the currency of Saudi Arabia is converted in terms of the currencies of other countries: 100 rial is 1500 rubles, 25 euros, 26.6 dollars United States of America.

Will continue splendor of life– 68 years old. In terms of age, more than half of the country's residents are under 20 years old. Women make up 45% of the population. According to UN forecasts, the population should increase to 39,965 thousand people by 2025.

The vast majority of the population of Saudi Arabia is Arabs(Saudi Arabs - 74.2%, Bedouins - 3.9%, Gulf Arabs - 3%), mostly retaining their tribal organization. The largest tribal associations are Anaza and Shammar, tribes are Avazim, Avamir, Ajman, Ataiba, Bali, Beit Yamani, Beni Atiya, Beni Murra, Beni Sahr, Beni Yas, Wahiba, Davasir, Dakhm, Janaba, Juhaina, Kakhtan, Manasir, manakhil, muahib, mutair, subey, suleiba, shararat, harb, huwaita, khuteim, etc.

The Suleiba tribe, inhabiting the northern regions, is considered to be of non-Arab origin and consists, according to some sources, of the descendants of the crusaders captured and enslaved. In total, there are more than 100 tribal associations and tribes in the country.

In addition to ethnic Arabs, the country is home to saudi arabs of mixed ethnic origin, having Turkish, Iranian, Indonesian, Indian, African roots. As a rule, these are descendants of pilgrims who settled in the Hijaz region, or Africans who were imported to Arabia as slaves (before the abolition of slavery in 1962, there were up to 750 thousand slaves in the country). The latter live mainly in the coastal regions of Tihama and Al-Hasa, as well as in oases.

Foreign workers amount to approx. 22% of the population and consists of non-Saudi Arabs, people from African and Asian countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines), as well as a small number of Europeans and Americans. Foreign-born Arabs live in cities, oil fields and areas bordering Yemen. Representatives of all other peoples are concentrated in large cities and oil fields, where, as a rule, they form more than half of the total population.

Economically active population is 7 million people, of which 12% are employed in agriculture, 25% in industry, 63% in the service sector. The number of people employed in industry and services has been steadily increasing in recent years. 35% of those employed in the economy are foreign workers (1999); Initially, Arabs from neighboring countries predominated among them; over time, they were replaced by people from South and Southeast Asia.

Official status information unemployment are missing. However, according to unofficial data, almost 1/3 of the economically active male population (women are practically not involved in the economy) is unemployed (2002). In this regard, Saudi Arabia, since 1996, has been implementing a policy to limit the hiring of foreign labor. Riyadh has developed a 5-year economic development plan designed to encourage the hiring of Saudi citizens.

Companies (under threat of penalties) are required to increase their hiring of Saudi workers by at least 5% per year. At the same time, since 1996, the government declared 24 professions closed to foreigners. Today, the most successful replacement of foreigners with Saudi nationals takes place mainly in the public sector, where in recent years the state has hired over 700 thousand Saudis.

In 2003 Ministry of Internal Affairs of Saudi Arabia unveiled a new 10-year plan to reduce the number of foreign workers. Under this plan, the number of foreigners, including immigrant workers and members of their families, should be reduced to 20% of the number of native Saudis by 2013. Thus, according to experts’ forecasts, taking into account the growth of the country’s population, the foreign colony should be reduced by approximately half over a decade.

Until the early 1960s, the majority of the population were nomads and semi-nomads. Thanks to rapid economic growth, the share of the urban population increased from 23.6% (1970) to 80% (2003). At the end of the 1990s, approx. 95% of the population switched to a sedentary lifestyle. Most of the population is concentrated in oases and cities.

Average density 12, 4 people/sq. km (some cities and oases have a density of more than 1,000 people/sq. km). The most densely populated areas are along the coasts of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, as well as around Riyadh and to the northeast of it, where the main oil producing areas are located.

Population of the capital Riyadh(since 1984, diplomatic missions have been located here), is 3,627 thousand (all data for 2003), or 14% of the country’s population (the annual population growth in the city between 1974 and 1992 reached 8.2%), mainly Saudis, as well as citizens other Arab, Asian and Western countries. The population of Jeddah, the main port of the Hijaz and the most important business center of Saudi Arabia, is 2,674 thousand people. Until 1984, diplomatic missions of foreign states were located here.

IN Hijaz There are also two holy cities of Muslims - Mecca (1541 thousand) and Medina (818 thousand) - accessible only to Muslim pilgrims. In 1998, these cities were visited by approx. 1.13 million pilgrims, including approx. 1 million - from various Muslim countries, as well as North and South America, Europe and Asia. Other large cities: Damman (675 thousand), Taif (633 thousand), Tabuk (382 thousand).

Their population consists of representatives of various Arab countries, including Gulf countries, Indians, as well as people from North America and Europe. Bedouins, who maintain a nomadic lifestyle, inhabit mainly the northern and eastern regions of the country. More than 60% of the entire territory (the deserts of Rub al-Khali, Nefud, Dakhna) does not have a permanent settled population; even nomads do not penetrate into some areas.

The official language of Saudi Arabia is standard arabic, belonging to the West Semitic group of the Afroasiatic family. One of its dialects is classical Arabic, which, due to its archaic sound, is currently used mainly in a religious context. In everyday life, the Arabian dialect of Arabic (Ammiya) is used, which is closest to the literary Arabic language, which developed from the classical language (el-fuskha).

Inside Arabian dialect the closely related dialects of Hijaz, Asir, Nejd and Al-Hasa are distinguished. Although the differences between the literary and spoken languages ​​are less pronounced here than in other Arab countries, the language of the urban inhabitants differs from the dialects of the nomads. Among people from other countries, English, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, Farsi, Somali, Indonesian, etc. are also common.

Saudi Arabia is the center of the Islamic world. Official religion – Islam. Estimates range from 85% to 93.3% of Saudis are Sunni; from 3.3% to 15% are Shiites. In the central part of the country, almost the entire population is Hanbalis-Wahhabis (they include more than half of all Sunnis in the country).

Predominant in the west and southwest Shafi'i interpretation of Sunnism. There are also Hanifites, Malikis, Hanbalis-Salafiyya and Hanbadis-Wahhabis here. A small number of Shia Ismailis and Zaydis live there. A significant Shia group (about a third of the population) lives in the east, in Al Hasa. Christians make up about 3% of the population (according to the American Conference of Catholic Bishops, there are over 500 thousand Catholics living in the country), all other denominations make up 0.4% (as of 1992, unofficially). There is no information on the number of atheists.