"The Land of Two Mosques" (Mecca and Medina) - this is often called Saudi Arabia in a different way. The form of government of this state is an absolute monarchy. Geographical information, a brief history and information about the political structure of Saudi Arabia will help to form a general idea of this country.
General information
Saudi Arabia is the largest state on the Arabian Peninsula. In the north, it borders on Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan, in the east - with the UAE and Qatar, in the southeast - with Oman, and in the south - with Yemen. She 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, in the north is part of the Syrian desert, and in the south is An Nafood - another large desert. A plateau in the center of the country is crossed by several rivers, usually drying out during the hot season.
Saudi Arabia is exceptionally rich in oil. The government partially invests the profits from the sale of "black gold" in the country's development, partially invests in industrialized countries and uses it to provide loans to other Arab states.
The form of government of Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy. Islam is recognized as the state religion. Arabic is the official language.
The country was given the name by the ruling dynasty in it - the Saudids. Its capital is the city of Riyadh. The country's population is 22.7 million people, mostly Arabs.
The early history of Arabia
In the first millennium BC, the Kingdom of Minea was located on the Red Sea. On the east coast was Dilmun, considered a political and cultural federation in the region.
In 570, an event occurred that determined the further fate of the Arabian Peninsula - in Mecca Mohammed, the future prophet, was born. His teachings literally turned the history of these lands, and subsequently influenced the particularities of Saudi Arabia’s form of government and culture.
The followers of the prophet, known as caliphs (caliphs), conquered almost all the territories of the Middle East, carrying Islam. However, with the advent of the caliphate, whose capital was first Damascus, later Baghdad, the significance of the prophet’s homeland gradually lost its importance. At the end of the XIII 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 transferred to the Ottoman Port.
The rise of saudi arabia
In the middle of the XVII century the state of Najd appeared, which managed to achieve independence from the Port. In the middle of the XIX century, Riyadh became its capital. But the civil war, which broke out a few years later, led to the fact that the weakened country was divided among themselves by neighboring powers.
In 1902, the son of the sheikh of the oasis of Dirayah, Abdul-Aziz ibn Saud, managed to take Riyadh. Four years later, almost all of Najd was under his control. In 1932, emphasizing the particular importance 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 in 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: a form of government
The constitution of this state officially proclaimed the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. However, the Saudi government, the form of government and the general principles of power are determined by the Basic Nizam (law), which entered into force in 1992.
This act contains the provision that Saudi Arabia is a sovereign Islamic state, in which the system of power is monarchical. The state structure of the country is based on Sharia.
The king of the ruling clan of the Saudids is also a religious leader and the highest 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 appoint all important civilian and military posts, declare war and the state of emergency in the country. He also ensures that the general political orientation is in accordance with Islamic standards and monitors the implementation of Sharia principles.
Government departments
Executive power in the state is exercised by the Council of Ministers. The king takes the post of its chairman, it is he who is engaged in its formation and reorganization. Nizams approved by the Council of Ministers enforce royal decrees. Ministers lead the relevant ministries and departments, for the activities of which they are responsible to the king.
Legislative power is also exercised by the king, under which an advisory board with advisory rights operates. The members of this council express their opinion on the drafts of the Nizams adopted by the ministers. The Chairperson of the Advisory Board and its sixty members are also appointed by the King (for four years).
At the head of the judiciary is the High Judicial Council. At the suggestion of this council, the king appoints and removes judges.
Saudi Arabia, whose form of government and government is based on the almost absolute power of the king and worship of the Islamic religion, officially has no trade unions or political parties. The service of a religion other than Islam is also prohibited here.