"The country of two mosques" (Mecca and Medina) - this is how Saudi Arabia is often called differently. The form of government of this state is an absolute monarchy. Geographic information, a brief history and information about the political structure of Saudi Arabia will help you get a general idea of this country.
General information
Saudi Arabia is the largest state on the Arabian Peninsula. It borders Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan to the north, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to the east, Oman to the southeast, and Yemen to the south. It owns more than 80 percent of the peninsula, as well as several islands in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.
More than half of the country's territory is occupied by the Rub al-Khali desert. In addition, to the north is part of the Syrian Desert, and to the south is An-Nafud, another large desert. The plateau in the center of the country is crossed by several rivers, which usually dry up during the hot season.
SaudiArabia is exceptionally rich in oil. The profit from the sale of "black gold" is partly invested by the government in the development of the country, partly invested in industrialized countries and used to provide loans to other Arab powers.
The government of Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy. Islam is recognized as the state religion. Arabic is the official language.
The name of the country was given by the ruling dynasty in it - the Saudis. Its capital is the city of Riyadh. The population of the country is 22.7 million people, mostly Arabs.
Early history of Arabia
In the first millennium BC, the Minean kingdom was located on the shores of the Red Sea. On the east coast was Dilmun, which was considered the political and cultural federation in the region.
In 570, an event occurred that determined the fate of the Arabian Peninsula - Muhammad, the future prophet, was born in Mecca. His teaching literally turned the history of these lands, subsequently influenced the features of the form of government of Saudi Arabia and the culture of the country.
The followers of the prophet, known as caliphs (caliphs), conquered almost all the territories of the Middle East, bringing Islam. However, with the advent of the caliphate, whose capital was first Damascus, later Baghdad, the importance of the prophet's homeland gradually lost its importance. At the end of the 13th century, the territory of Saudi Arabia was almost entirely under the rule of Egypt, and after another two and a half centuries, these lands were ceded toOttoman Porte.
Rise of Saudi Arabia
In the middle of the 17th century, the state of Nazhd appeared, which managed to achieve independence from the Porte. In the middle of the 19th century, Riyadh became its capital. But the civil war that broke out a few years later led to the fact that the weakened country was divided among the neighboring powers.
In 1902, the son of the sheikh of the Dirayah oasis, Abdul-Aziz ibn Saud, managed to take Riyadh. Four years later, almost all of Nazhd was under his control. In 1932, emphasizing the special significance of the royal house in history, he officially gave the country the name Saudi Arabia. The form of government of the state allowed the Saudis to achieve absolute power on its territory.
Since the middle of the last century, this state has become the main ally and strategic partner of the United States in the Middle East region.
Saudi Arabia: form of government
The Constitution of this state officially proclaimed the Koran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. However, Saudi Arabia's state structure, form of government and general principles of power are determined by the Basic Nizam (law), which came into force in 1992.
This act contains the provision that Saudi Arabia is a sovereign Islamic state, the system of power in which is monarchical. The state structure of the country is based on Sharia.
The king from the ruling family of the Saudis is also religiousleader and supreme authority in relation to all types of power. At the same time, he holds the post of supreme commander of the army, has the right to make appointments to all important civil and military posts, to declare war and a state of emergency in the country. He also oversees that the overall political direction meets the norms of Islam and supervises the implementation of Sharia principles.
Public authorities
The executive power in the state is exercised by the Council of Ministers. The king holds the post of its chairman, it is he who is engaged in its formation and reorganization. The Nizams, approved by the Council of Ministers, enact royal decrees. Ministers head the respective ministries and departments for whose activities they are responsible to the king.
Legislative power is also exercised by the king, under which there is an Advisory Council with deliberative rights. The members of this council express their opinion on the draft Nizams adopted by the ministers. The Chairman of the Advisory Council and sixty of its members are also appointed by the King (for four years).
At the head of the judiciary is the Supreme Judicial Council. On the recommendation of this council, the king appoints and removes judges.
Saudi Arabia, whose form of government and state structure is based on the almost absolute power of the king and the veneration of the Islamic religion, officially has neither trade unions nor political parties. Serving another religionbesides Islam, it is also forbidden here.
