Saudi Arabia

The Arabian Peninsula has been inhabited for millennia, serving as a crucial crossroads for ancient trade routes. The rise of Islam in the 7th century CE profoundly shaped the region, with Mecca and Medina becoming the holiest cities in the Islamic faith. Throughout much of its history, the area comprising modern Saudi Arabia was fragmented into various tribes and regional powers. The modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established in 1932 by Abdulaziz ibn Saud, uniting disparate regions under a single rule. The discovery of vast oil reserves in the 20th century dramatically transformed the nation's economy and global influence.