History of Saudi Arabia

Before 1932, Saudi Arabia was called Arabia. This was a place that was traveled by traders on caravan routes to Egypt and Middle Eastern countries. Mecca was one of the trading centers on theses routes. This was considered a holy place since many religious travelers came there to pray. The prophet, Muhammad was born in Mecca and he spread the religion of Islam. In 1932 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was officially formed. The land was ruled by nomads. These nomads lived together in tribes or clans. In 1902, Abdul-Aziz ibn Saud became the head of the clan. He wanted to unite all the clans. In at last one the last great desert battle in 1925. In 1932, Arabia became the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Ibn Saud was the king.

This new nation was so poor that a person in charge of finances at one time kept the money under his bed. This all began to change in 1938 when oil was found in this arid land. This was at Jabal Dhahran. The Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco) began drilling wells and Saudi Arabia became rich with its black gold. Now no longer did the world ignore the country of Saudi Arabia. Important leaders came to talk to King Ibn Saud. In 1953 Ibn Saud died and his oldest son Saud became king. However, when Saud stepped down from the king and next in line was Faisal the second oldest king of Ibn Saud his eldest son became king. The Saud family still continues to lead the country. The power of the king is based on the Islamic law.

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