In this review, let's talk about Saudi Arabia, its history and geography, with the involvement of Saudi primary sources and other materials.
This review site is made up of three parts:
P. 1. The reference section "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Characteristic features and terms" prepared by the editors of our resource in Saudi and Western sources.
Page 2. Exposure from the publication in Russian Saudi Ministry of Information "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: History, Civilization and Development: 60 years of achievements."
Page 3. Several fragments from the "History of Saudi Arabia" of the Russian researcher Alexei Vasilyeva.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Characteristics and Terms
The emblem of the Saudi Ministry of Information, combining palm trees and archaic sabers of Saudi coat of archae with the ultra-modern television tower of Er-Riyadh - the architectural symbol of the Saudi capital.
The emblem decorated one of the first publications in Russian ministry, published after the resumption of diplomatic relations in the 1990s - a book of a small album format, but quite detailed "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: history, civilization and development: 60 years of achievements" on which we will stop In more detail in the second part of this review.
Desert
Taking the 13th place in the world in the territory (2,218,000 km²), this large country is mainly arid territories desert.
Despite the city culture, always present in the history of Saudi Arabia and the dominant today, the country declares the Bedouin culture with its basis. Bedouin from the Arab word "Badavi" - "A resident of the desert, a nomad."
The most famous desert of Saudi Arabia Al-Rub al-Khali - "Empty Quarter".
The desert "Big Nephda" (or, otherwise "Nafud") lies in the north of the Arabian Peninsula, it is called the younger sister of the desert of Rub al-Hali. It is located on the other side of the chamber who borders the other side with Rub al-Hali.
Another term from Saudi Geography - Wadi (otherwise, Vadis) is a valley or duct (bed) current on the arid area of \u200b\u200bthe river, which is filled with water only in the rainy season.
Historical areas of Saudi Arabia, the circumstances of their accession and modern administrative division of the country
Map of Saudi Arabia.
The two most famous deserts of the country are signed with brown here - al-rubles al-Hali (RUB Al Khali) and Nafud (An Nafud).
And between them is located natural-historical area (Najad), from where the state of Saudites began.
We also see the Hijaz area on the map (Al Hijaz) with the cities of Mecca (Mecca) and Medina (Medina).
After joining Belz and Hijaz and the Saudi Arabia arises.
Nozhz and Hijaz are not yet reflected in the modern administrative map of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, they are also marked on a brown map as natural and historical areas.
But Khail Province is lucky. She survived both administrative education led by the provincial center for the same name. But Khail was, along with Hijaz, the worst enemy of the ruling house of Saudites. The city of Khail (Hail) can be found at the top of this card.
Starting from its generic nest - the area of \u200b\u200bthe subsoil, the ruling dynasty of Saudites gradually joined all the surrounding publications of the Arabian Peninsula.
Nest
Nest(from Arabic "Highlands") - Central region of Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of the ruling dynasty of the Saudites. Here is located capital of the country of Er-Riyad (Ar-Riyāḍ., The name comes from the Arabic word "gardens".
In the suburb of Er-Riyadh there are historical buildings and the ruins of the old capital of Satitis Diriiyha (Deria). As for the term terminal, it is currently not mentioned in Saudi Arabia as a political or administrative unit, but only as a geographic area.
Hijaz - the abolished state of Mecca Sharifs
Hijaz (from Arab. "Barrier") - a historic coastal area on the Red Sea, which includes the seeds of the same name and Mountain Hijaz and Asira (from Arab. "Difficult"), separating this coast from the Central Region of Saudi Arabia.
In Hijaz, there are two sacred Islamic cities of Mecca and Medina.
Saudi publications in Russian
In the 1990s, when the diplomatic relations of Saudi Arabia were restored from the USSR, and then with Russia, the Saudi Ministry of Information issued several illustrated books in Russian. The Handbook "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia", brochure "Two sacred mosques" and the book "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: History, Civilization and Development: 60 years of achievements" were published.
On the last we will focus in this review in more detail.. She takes away with the greeting of the then Saudi Minister of Information Ali Ibn Hassan al-Sharant: "This book is similar to the garden, full of various colors, or on a traveler who first came to an unfamiliar city and he has only an hour of free time" ...
The book "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: History, Civilization and Development: 60 years of achievements" This is probably the very first Saudi publication about the kingdom in Russian after the resumption of diplomatic relations. It is published on excellent paper, well illustrated.
But it can be seen that Saudi typography did not even have a Russian font, therefore it was used simply scanned typewritten set. In our illustration (see above, the first illustration of this review, as well as) from the book with the emblem of the Saudi Ministry of Information, you can see this typewriter set.
The vacuum of information about Saudi Arabia in Russia remains so far: official Internet sites in Saudi in Russian is still not (with the exception of the empty site of the Saudi Arabia embassy).
Radio broadcasting in Russian, unlike some of its Arab neighbors, the country also never led (but it is significant that in this case, daily radio programs are conducted from ER-Riyada through the satellite and short waves in Turkmen, Uzbek and Tajik - on the Muslim republics of Central Asia).
So, in order to understand what Saudi Arabia wants to submit audiences in Russia, we restrict ourselves to the consideration of the above-mentioned Russian-speaking Saudi publications. However, we provided these materials with notes on topical English-speaking sources and some other fascinating materials.
Before moving to the texts from the books of the Saudi Ministry of Information, for a better understanding of the context, we offer small reference material in the country, prepared by the site. Themes raised in this reference material are developed in other sections of this review.
Since 1519, Hijaz was part of the Ottoman Empire, while the deserted domestic regions of Saudi Arabia continued to be managed by local Arabic breeding leaders.
In 1916, in Hijaz, with the help of Britain, an independent state was proclaimed under the leadership of Sharif Mecca Hussein Ibn Ali.
The term "Sharif" comes from the Arabic value "noble". (In English, it was customary writing "Sharif of Mecca" - "Sharif Mecca", but in Russian, the name is also sometimes translated as "Sheriff Mecca"). Mecca's balls have always been the descendants of the Prophet Mohammed. This position of the manager, or the headlights of Mecca appeared in the period of the United Arab Caliphate at the end of the abbasid era rule from Baghdad. The position remained at Osmans. Throughout the history of the charters, gradually distributed their power also to Medina.
The aforementioned Hussein Ibn Ali from the kind of Hischitis descendants of Hashima Ibn Abd Ad-Dara, the grandfather of the Prophet Mohammed, and became the last Sharior of Mecca, adopted in 1916 the new title King of all Arabs - "Malik Bured - al-Arab". Also in 1924, after the foundation of the Turkish Republic, Hussein Ibn Ali proclaimed himself and Caliph (from the Arabic word "governor") - the spiritual and secular masons of all Muslims, taking the title for many centuries, enshrined at the Ottoman Dynasty of Turkish Sultans.
During the First World War, being part of the Ottoman Empire, Hijaz stood on the side of the Entente countries, where Britain entered, while the Ottoman state was on the opposite side of the front (along with Germany). Britain supported the Arabic Movement for Independence from Osmanov. The adoption of the title of Califa Hussein contributed to the actions of the Republican authorities of the new Turkey, who were deprived of the Ottoman dynasty of the status of the ruling, first canceling the Sultanate, and after some time and the caliphate in Turkey.
Despite the initial successes of the charter at home, he could not keep power in the Arabian Peninsula and wakes up with sufficient support for the UK against the Saudites. As a result - in 1925, the British ally, the ruler of Belgorith and the future Saudi King Abdel Aziz Ibn Saud won the Hijaz, adopting a severifornian family a care for the sacred cities of Mecca and Medina.
Hussein Ibn Ali was forced to escape to the British colony in Cyprus. He died in 1931. After Hussein, the title of Califa is vacant again. (Later, the UK contributed to the proclamation of the sons of Hussein Abdullah and Faisal kings of newly formed on the site of the Turkish provinces of the Arab kingdoms of Syria and Iraq and artificially created between Iraq and Palestine Jordan. Now the descendants of the former Sheriffs of Mecca are the rulers of the kingdom of Jordan. Iraq and Syria are republics).
In turn, the joining of Hijaz allowed Abdel Aziz Ibn Saud to proclaim the new kingdom of nonsense, Hijaz and the assumed provinces, which in 1932 was renamed the honor of the ruling dynasty to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Currently, the term Hijaz is not mentioned in Saudi Arabia as a political or administrative unit, but only as the historical region and the name of the mountains.
Modern administrative division of Saudi Arabia.
Khail
Khail,another name is Jabel-Shammar - a previously independent state in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula, which was ruled by the Rashadite dynasty.
Was the main opponent of Saudits in the period of their struggle for the ER Riyadh and the internal areas of the peninsula. Conquered by the future king of Saudi Arabia Abdel-Asiom Ibn Saud in 1921.
Now the province of Saudi Arabia Khail in the north-east of the country with the provincial center of the same name.
El Hasa
EL HASA - previously independent principality, and before the territory dependent on the Ottoman authorities. Conquered by Abdel-Asiom Ibn Saud around 1921. Nowadays, part of the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.
Now Saudi Arabia is divided into the following provinces: El Baha, El Hudud Esha Shamalia, El Jaouf, El Madina, El Qasim, Er Riyadh, Esch-Chain (i.e. East Province), Asir, Khail , Jizan, Mecca, Nedzhran, Tabuk. Each province is headed by an emir from Saudi Royal Family. Modern territorial division is only indirectly connected with the historical division of the country.
Motherland Islam and Praodina Arabs
In the illustration from the British newspaper Daly Male: Saudi King Abdullah (right) with Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican, during the Saudi Monarch's visit to the Papal State in 2007.
At the same time, it should be noted that the king attends the center of the Christian world - the Vatican, despite the fact that the only official opportunity to Inovertsu, for example, is a Christian, to get to the sacred cities of Saudi Arabia Mecca and Medina, it is to announce that he is heading there for the adoption of Islam.
From the Arabian Peninsula, the most part of which Saudi Arabia is occupied by the world, and the Arabs began a progressive movement, capturing the huge territories of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the Pyrenean Peninsula (Current Spain and Portugal).
Two sacred mosques
In Saudi Arabia, there are two sacred Islamic cities of Mecca and Medina, and Saudi kings in their title are considered the most honorable part of it: "The keeper (trustee) of the two sacred mosques." (It should be noted that the public manifestation of religious feelings of adherents of any other religions is prohibited in Saudi Arabia, except Islam.
Also pone threat of death penalty is prohibited by the transition from Islam to another faith to all Saudi subjects. So all non-Muslims located in Saudi Arabia are foreign citizens. . In Saudi visa, issued to foreign citizens, religion is always referred to, and according to these data, the posts of security forces around these cities are filtered off by inners, turning back. The only official opportunity to get to the sacred cities, to declare that he was heading there for the adoption of Islam. With all this, in 2007, there was a friendly meeting of the current Saudi King Abdullah with the Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican, where the king arrived at the invitation of the Roman Pope).
Leader of the Arab world
At the expense of its income from oil, as well as the reputation of the Motherland of Islam and belonging to the main Islamic flow of the Sunni Sunny, the country becomes more and more informal leader of the Arab and Islamic world. (This role of Saudi Arabia is increasingly inferior to Egypt previously considered such a leader, but in Posnemservic times focused on solving its own economic problems and trying to avoid participation in costly conflicts).
Oil country. High quality of life
Saudismamians may not be lucky with the fertility of the Earth, but lucky with minerals of these lands - the country is one of the world leaders in oil production (there is 25% of world oil reserves), which made it possible to ensure not the very numerous population of the country (population number 28 686 633 people, density -12 people / km²) Very high standard of living ($ 25,338 per capita (2007).
Initially, the version of the presence of oil fields in Saudi Arabia was nominated in 1932 by an independent geologist K. Twoch, who visited the country and conducted research of the geological structure.
Officially, oil reserves were confirmed in 1938 by the geologists of American companies "Standard Oil of California" (Sokal) and "Texas Company" (Future "Texaco"). These companies still had to persuade the Saudi king that oil is useful for the future for his country. But in the end these companies were entitled to work in Saudi Arabia. One of the reasons for the victory of American companies over British in the right to obtain a concession for exploration and oil production, as it is believed, was that the United States had no imperial past in the Middle East, and the King Abdel-Aziz Ibn Saud was less afraid of the independence of his country, cooperating with Americans.
The Saudi Publication mentioned above "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: History, Civilization and Development: 60 years of achievements" writes about a significant oil date in the history of his country:
"Black Gold" - oil was opened in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia in 1357 Hijra (in 1938 by Calendar). The first ten thousand barrels of crude oil were delivered to the export of 11 Rabi al-Avval of 1358 Hijra (05/01/1938 by gr.). Because of the Second World War, oil production suspended and was resumed after her end ...
The discovery of oil fields in Saudi Arabia was a kind omen for a young state that suffered in the past from a lack of natural resources. Income from oil production has become a powerful basis for the development of the country ... "
Oil made it possible from scratch to create all material elements for the vital activity of modern society, and the highest level: hospitals, schools, roads, whole cities.
The country also tries to develop non-oil industries at the expense of oil. A number of large industrial zones are constructed with enterprises of the metallurgical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical industry.
Already at the beginning of the 1990s, Saudi Arabia ranked first in the world in the field of worst. Then the level of production reached 500 million gallons of drinking water per day with the help of 27 desalination plants located along the western and east coast of the country. At the same time, these installations produced more than 3,500 megawatts of electricity.
With the help of projects for the use of groundwater and density of sea water, agriculture can develop. For example, in the 1990s, the country took the first place in the world in the production of dates. 500 thousand tons were produced per year. The number of palm trees numbered about 13 million pieces. At the same time, the country came out on the 6th place in the world among manufacturers and wheat exporters. The country fully provides itself with dairy products, eggs and a bird.
Middle Ages these days
Despite the fact that Saudi will be asked actively moving around the world and technologically advanced people, and the country conducts a pro-Western foreign policy as a whole, at the same time in the sphere of the Saudi Arabia, the real reserve of the past is present.
Only in 1962 slavery was canceled in the country. By his decree of November 7, released in that year, the government announced a repurchase from their owners of all the remaining slaves at a price of 700 dollars per servant and $ 1,000 per slave. Most of the owners were outraged by such a half-term at the price of the price, as the American magazine "Newsuk" wrote, and simply let go of slaves to the will, not addressing compensation for the government, because In any case, after July 7, 1963, all slaves were automatically free.
Despite the fact that slavery in the country already in the past, the Saudi state and the Society still has many features, it would seem that went into the past.
Until now, on one of the areas of the capital of the country, ER-Riyadh is held public executions by cutting off the head. Also, the country is practiced, for example, punishment of the screens and breaking with stones (such a punishment in particular is provided for women for treason), according to Sharia law. Without much resolution, the marriages of Saudi subjects with foreigners are prohibited, which, as already noted above, are not allowed in the sacred town of Mecca and Medina. Recall that Saudi filed forbidden to preach another faith, except Islam.
For many years, the Saudi government struggled with the country's radical theologians on the admission of women qualities of speakers on television. As a result, leading women are present in the transmissions of both the first Arabic and second international English-speaking channels of Saudi television. These channels, like Saudi radio in many languages, are also available on satellites and on the Internet. But still leading programs, both men and women, are obliged to be dressed in medieval, or as it were to say in Saudi Arabia, traditional Arabic robes (for men it is a long shirt to the fifth and shawl-cuff on the head, and for women closed Dress and handkerchief - Abay). These same robes are mandatory for all citizens during their stay in public places.
Position of women
Saudi Arabia ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which has entered into force in 1981, on August 28, 2000, but with a reservation that, in case of contradictions of any provisions of the Convention, the provisions of Islamic law, the Kingdom will not be obliged to comply with these provisions.
Only in 2004, a ban was canceled without allowed women to receive licenses for commercial activities. Previously, women could open a business only on behalf of a man's relative.
According to Human Rights Watch, local residents do not have the right to travel with their children without written husband's permission, record children to school and contact government agencies where there are no special departments for women's service. (Review of news on the situation of women in Saudi Arabia and in the Islamic world, see our website).
Low status of Saudi women affected their educational level. UN experts in their reports indicated a high level of illiteracy among Saudi women. And the official Saudi publication "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: History, Civilization and Development: 60 years of achievements" reflected the lag of women's education in the country for its statistics over the past 25 years of the country's development:
"The number of school students has grown from 537 thousand (of which 400 thousand boys) to 2 million 800 thousand (of which 1 million 500 thousand boys). The number of universities students increased from 6 thousand. 942 people up to 122 thousand 100 people ... (At the same time) the number of women student increased from 434 to 53 thousand people. "
Returning from statistics, which characterizes the position of women, to their rights, we note that Saudi Arabia is the only state in the world where women are not eligible to drive carsw.. In June 2010, the next campaign of human rights defenders failed to encourage the government to cancel this ban on driving.
The Russian service of the British Broadcasting Corporation celebrated in April 2008:
"Saudi Arabia, living on rigid laws of Sharia, is one of the most conservative countries in the world. The rules of the Male Male over a woman are regulated here by the judicial authorities, which are controlled by the clergy. "
The severity of Islamic standards in modern Saudi Arabia is aggravated by the fact that the country is officially followed by the doctrine of the medieval Islamic lawlog of Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Abd Al Wahhab, who speaking for the so-called. "The purity of Islam", and, in other words, for following the Islamic tradition in its radical interpretation. Al Wahhab provided important services to the prince's house Sauds long before the appearance of Saudi Arabia. It is also necessary to remember that the modern Saudi Arabia was created with the active participation of Ivwanov - the movement for "pure Islam", whose military formations helped the first Saudi King Abdel-Aziz Ibn Saudi to capture Mecca and Medina and create Saudi Arabia.
Features of the monarchy of saudis
An absolute monarchy in Saudi Arabia also seems to some relict form of government. In Saudi Arabia, power is transmitted not from the Father to the Son, as is commonly in monarchies, but according to the internal agreement of Saudi Royal House - brothers who are all the sons of the first king of Saudi Arabia Abdel-Aziz Ibn Sauda (also name is written as ADD Aziz Ibn ABB AR-Rahman Al-Faisal Al Saud), who died in 1953. This founder's king was 22 wives (from different tribal generics of the country, thus strengthened the unity of Saudi nation), 37 sons from different wives and several dozen daughters. And in our time (2010), the country is ruled by the son of the first king from the eighth wife Aged Abdalla Ibn Abdel Aziz As-Saud (born in 1924). And the heir to the throne - the son of the first king from another wife - Sultan Ibn Abdel Aziz Al AS Saud (born in 1928).
Foreign policy
Despite the Archaic State Device and the Radical Islamic Doctrine, the country is generally a pro-Western foreign policy.
Over the past two decades, Saudi Arabia supported Western countries on key issues twice: in 1991, at the occupation of Iraq, Kuwait, who was exempted with the active cooperation of Saudi and Western countries, as well as in the current campaign against Islamic extremists, despite the fact that Saudi Arabia itself Adheres to a rather radical version of Islam.
The diplomatic relations of the USSR, and then Russia and Saudi Arabia. For the first time, the relations of Moscow with the then newborn kingdom of Hijaz, Nedia and the affiliates (renamed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1931) were established on February 16, 1926, when the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the ruler of Abdel-Aziz Ibn Saud Military way joined the Hijaz ( The territory of the Region of Mecca and Medina, where the Russian political agency already existed, along with other European missions).
In the 1920s, the USSR was believed that the new United Arabian kingdom expresses the aspiration of oppressed peoples to self-determination. Accordingly, the Soviet note of recognition was also compiled:
"... The Government of the USSR, based on the principle of self-determination of childbirth and deeply respecting the will of the Gedjaz people, expressed in the election of you with his king, recognizes you by the king of the hedzhaz and the Sultan, and the affiliates," said Ibn Saud. - Because of this, the Soviet government considers itself in a state of normal diplomatic relations with the Government of Your Majesty. "
In a response note, the king wrote: "His Excellency to the agent and the G-Nonral Consul of the USSR. Had the honor to receive your note from 3 Shaaaban 1344 (February 16, 1926) for № 22, reporting on the recognition of the USSR state-of-government a new provision in the Gedjaz, concluding in the oath of the Gedzhaz village as a king of Gedjaz, Sultan Nedia and The intrinsic domains of the USSR to the USSR government, as well as full readiness for relations with the USSR government and his subjects, which are inherent in friendly powers ... King of Hegzaz and Sultan Nedia and Attached areas Abdul-Aziz Ibn Saud . Compiled in Mecca 6 Sharaban 1344 (February 19, 1926). "
Later, it turned out that Saudi regime was too pro-Western and traditionalist for relations with the Stalinist Soviet Union, so in 1938 the Soviet embassy was withdrawn from the country, although diplomatic relations were not formally interrupted. Again, the parties exchanged embassies in 1991.
Famous Saudis
Now, besides the founding king of Saudi Arabia Abdel Aziz Ibn Sauda, \u200b\u200bwho gave the name of his dynasty, the most famous Saudi is the most famous Usama Ben Laden, originating from the rich trading Saudi family.
Maxim Istomin for the site (all data at the time of writing: 07/30/2010);
On the Excerpts from Saudi publication "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: History, Civilization and Development: 60 years of achievements", published by the Kingdom in Russian after restoration of diplomatic relations.
The official name is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Al Mamla Al Arabiya Ashaudi, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Located in the south-west of Asia, it takes most of the Arabian Peninsula. Area 2240 thousand km2, population population 23.51 million people. (2002). State language - Arabic. Capital - G. Er-Riyad (St. 2.77 million people, with suburbs 4.76 million people). State holiday - the day of the proclamation of the kingdom - September 23 (from 1932). The monetary unit is Saudi Rial (equal to 100 halals).
OPEC member (from 1960), United Nations (since 1971), SSAGPZ (since 1981), Lag, etc.
Sights of Saudi Arabia
Geography of Saudi Arabia
It is located between 34 ° and 56 ° of Eastern longitude and 16 ° and 32 ° Northern latitude. In the East is washed by the Persian Bay, in the West and Southwest - Red Sea. The Red Sea is located between the banks of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, stretched from the North-West to the southeast. In the northern part of the sea, an artificial deezza canal is located, connecting with the sophisticated sea, the Suez Bay and Aqaba Bay (off the coast of Saudi Arabia) separated by the Sinai Peninsula. Sand, places Rocky shores of the Red Sea all over the entire length are weakly and bought coral reefs with coral bays. There are few islands, but the south of 17 ° north latitude they form numerous groups, one of the largest islands of Faras, owned by Saudi Arabia.
Surface flows have seasonal. In the southern part of the sea from November to March, the current is directed north - north-west along the shores of the Arabian Peninsula. North, this flow is weakening, meeting with the opposite, walking along the shores of Africa. From June to September in the Red Sea there are southern and south_trices. The tides are mostly semi-dry. In the northern part of the sea, the winds sometimes reach the strength of the storm. The Persian Bay has small depths (average - 42 m), flows form a circuit counterclockwise. In the Ormuz Strait connecting the Persian Bay with Omansky, the direction of flow changes by the seasons: in the summer from the ocean to the Persian Bay, in the winter - on the contrary.
Saudi Arabia borders in the north with Jordan and Iraq, in the North-West - with Kuwait, Bahrain (maritime border), Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Southern borders with Oman and Yemen are not defined.
More than 1/2 of the territory of Saudi Arabia in the south-east occupies the desert of rural-al-khali, or a large sandy desert, an area of \u200b\u200bapprox. 650 thousand km2. In the north of the country there is a part of the Syrian desert, and the desert Neft, which occupies OK. 57 thousand km2, extends further to the south. In the center of the country there is a plateau intersectable by several drying in the dry season with small rivers. In the southwest of the country there are small mountain ranges and its highest point - Mount Jabal-Saud (3133 m). Along the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf lie narrow coastal plains.
The subsoil of Saudi Arabia is rich in the most important types of raw materials - oil, natural gas, iron, copper, gold and other non-ferrous metals, there are deposits of stone salt, uranium, etc. According to oil reserves, the country takes 1st place in the world - 25.2%, or 35.8 billion tons. Natural gas reserves 5400 billion m3. Minerals, except oil and gas, are still weak and mined in extremely small quantities.
Soils in Saudi Arabia are mostly sandy and stony, in the northern part of Arabia there are servers, in the south - red, red-brown. The most fertile lands are on the banks of the Red Sea.
The climate is hot, dry, mostly tropical, in the north - subtropical. The average temperatures of July above + 30 ° C, January + 10-20 ° C. Precipitation approx. 100 mm per year, in the mountains up to 400 mm. Temperature January in Er-Riyadh + 8-21 ° C, in Jeddah + 26-37 ° C. Temperature of July in Er-Riyadh - + 26-42 ° C, and in Jedda - + 26-37 ° C. However, in the winter mountains there are minus temperatures and snow.
There are no permanent natural reservoirs in the country, except for small basins in oases, sometimes temporary lakes are formed after the rains. There are significant reserves of groundwater.
The vegetation world of the internal regions is extremely poor, there are deserted grass, a spiny shrub, in fertile areas - Tamarisk, acacia, in oases - Fennicky palm trees. The fauna is represented by antilopes, foxes, gazelles, hyenas, ostriches, panthers, wild cat, wolf, mountain goat, rabbits, Indian badgers. Drops, pigeons, quail stand out among the birds. From predatory - eagles, falcons. The sea is rich in fish.
Population of Saudi Arabia
In the total population of OK. 23% are non-citizens of the Kingdom (2002).
The average annual growth rate of the indigenous population is 3.27% (2002). In 1974 - 92, the population grew from 6.72 to 16.95 million people. The population in the age group of 15-24 is particularly rapidly growing.
Birth rate 37.25, mortality 5.86, children's mortality 49.59 people. per 1000 newborn, the average life expectancy of 68.4 years, incl. Men 66.7, women 70.2 (2002).
Half protection population (2002): 0-14 years old - 42.4% (men 5.09 million people, women 4.88 million); 15-64 years - 54.8% (men 7.49 million people, women 5,40 million); 65 years and older - 2.8% (men 362.8 thousand people, women 289.8 thousand). Urban population 85.7% (2000). 78% of the population aged 15 years and older competently (84.2% of men and 69.5% of women) (2002).
Ethnicity: Arabs - 90%, Afro-Asians - 10%. Indigenous saudi, the ancestors of which lived in the country for centuries - approx. 82%, Yemenians and other Arabs who arrived in the country after the 1950s. During the oil boom - approx. 13%, nomads-Berbers, the number of which is reduced. Languages: Arabic, also used European languages.
State religion - Islam. Almost all Muslims are Sunni. Saudi Arabia - Motherland Islam, based by the Prophet Mohammed. The whole life of the country is subject to strict laws and rules having a thousand-year history. Men and women are forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages. It is forbidden to breed pigs and the use of pork. Mecca is the cradle of Islam and the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed, there is the main shrine of the Muslim world - the ancient Sanctuary of Kaaba. The second religious center is Medina, where the prophet is buried. Among the duties of Muslim - compliance with the post during Ramadan, the 9th month of the Muslim calendar (from the end of February to the end of March), when Muslims refrain from food and drink, avoid spectacles and other jets before sunset. One of the pillars of Islam is a hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca, which must be done at least once in life. Millions of pilgrims from all over the world are going to Mecca.
History of Saudi Arabia
In 1st thousand BC. On the Red Sea coast, the Ministry of Last Kingdom arose with the capital in Karna (modern Hyda in Yemen). On the east coast was Dilmun, who was considered a political and cultural federation on the shores of the Persian Gulf. For almost 1500 years, important events did not occur in the territory of modern Saudi Arabia. In 570 AD The Prophet Muhammed was born in Mecca, and Islam's teaching literally turned the entire history of Saudi Arabia. Followers of Mohammed, known as califs (caliphs), won almost the entire Middle East.
The Arabians of the Arabian Peninsula were known many technical and construction achievements. In agriculture already in 5-6 centuries. An iron plow was used, iron ore was mined and the metal was paid, already in the pre-Islamic era of Arabs created their original writing - the Sabeus letter in South Arabia and later, in 5 c. - Nabataye Piste, on the basis of which the modern Arabic writing developed.
With the emergence of caliphate, the capital of which was first in Damascus, and later in Baghdad, the role of the prophet's motherland became less significant.
In 1269, almost the entire territory of modern Saudi Arabia was under the rule of Egypt. In 1517, power moved to the rulers of the Ottoman Empire. All R. 18 V. The state of subsection was founded independent of the Ottoman Empire. In 1824, the capital of the state was Er-Riyadh. In 1865, civil war broke out in the country, and a weakened country was divided between neighboring states. In 1902 Abdelaziz Ibn-Saud seized Er-Riyad, and by 1906 his troops controlled almost entirely. He achieved the recognition of the state by Turkish Sultan. Relying on the Wahhabi Cave, Ibn-Saud continued to unite the country under its power, and by 1926 managed to almost complete this process. The USSR was the first to have established normal diplomatic relations with the new state in February 1926. In 1927, Ibn-Saud achieved the recognition of the British sovereignty of his state. In 1932, he gave the country the name of Saudi Arabia. After that, the penetration of foreign, primarily American, capital into the country associated with the exploration and development of oil increased. After the death of Ibn-Saud in 1953, his son Saud Ibn-Abdelzziz, who continued to strengthen the position of the country, taking into account the position of the League of Arab countries on generally arab issues. In 1958, the need for a more modern policy led to the transfer of the powers of Prime Minister Brother King Emir Faisal, which expanded capitalist transformations in the economy. On November 7, 1962, the Law on Cancellation of Slavery was adopted.
In August 1965, a 40-year dispute was resolved between Saudi Arabia and Jordan on the border. Since 1966, an agreement was signed with Kuwait on dividing on equal parts of the neutral zone at the border of the two countries. Saudi Arabia recognized Jordan's claim to the port city of Aqaba. In 1967 - 1st floor. 1970s. Saudi Arabia took an active part in defending the interests of the Arab countries, began to provide greater financial assistance to Egypt, Syria, Jordan. An increase in the role of the country contributed to a multiple expansion of oil production and exports. In 1975, an agreement was signed with Iraq about an equal separation of a neutral zone on the border between countries.
In October 1973 Saudi Arabia introduced an embargo on oil supplies to the United States and the Netherlands. Since the 1970s. The kingdom began to play an increasingly important role in OPEC. March 25, 1975 Faisal, who became the king since November 1964, died as a result of the attempt. In 1975 - 82, King S. A. was Chalated, and the Prime Minister - Emir Fahd. In case of active participation of Fahd, state construction and economic modernization of the country unfolded accelerated pace. Under the influence of the threat factor in the region from Iran and Marxist regime in Yemen, Saudi Arabia initiated the strengthening of the Armed Forces of the Arabian Peninsula monarchies and encouraged the strengthening of the American military presence. The kingdom took an active part in the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in 1991. In March 2001, Saudi Arabia signed a final agreement on the settlement of the border dispute between the two countries and a demarcation line was carried out.
State Device and Political System of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is an absolute theocratic monarchy with the Cabinet of Ministers. Saudi Arabia - Islamic State, the role of the Constitution of the country performs the Koran, in which ethical values \u200b\u200bare determined and prescriptions are given. In 1992, it was adopted by the main Nizam about the power - the act regulating the Board system.
Administrative division of the country: 13 administrative regions (provinces, or emirates), within which, with 1994, 103 smaller territorial units were allocated.
The largest cities: Riyadh, Jeddah (St. 2 million people, with suburbs 3.2 million), laminations (482 thousand people), Mecca (966 thousand people, with suburbs 1.33 million), Medina (608 thousand people) (grade 2000).
The principles of public administration: the basis of the legislative system is the Sharia - Islamic Code of Laws based on the Quran and Sunni. The king and the Council of Ministers operate within Islamic laws. State acts come into force through the decrees of the king. The public administration applies the principles of consistency (Shura), ensuring consensus, equality of all before the law, the source of which is the norms of Sharia.
The senior authority of the legislative power is the king and the advisory board appointed by the king for 4 years as part of 90 members from among different layers of society. Recommendations of the Council are directly king.
The highest executive body is the Council of Ministers (King is appointed). This body combines executive and legislative functions, produces proposals in the field of internal and foreign policy.
The king is the head of state, the head of the highest authority of the legislative power, the head of the highest authority of the executive.
The composition of the advisory board and the Council of Ministers is appointed by the king. The advisory board has a chairman and half updated according to the composition for a new term. Currently, the question of the possible introduction of a selection of a representative body is being worked out.
The outstanding statesman of Saudi Arabia is considered primarily the king of Abdelaziz Ibn-Saud, who for 31 years fought for the combination of the kingdom and managed to achieve this, approving the independent state, which rules until 1953. He made a great contribution to the formation of statehood. A big role in the successful implementation of the country's economic modernization programs and the use of its potential opportunities was played by the king of Fahd Ibn Abdelaziz Ibn-Saud. He was still before joining the throne was the first Minister of Education of the country, developed a plan for reforms in education, during his reign ensured the continuous development of the long-term program of economic reforms and the submitting authority of Saudi Arabia in the international arena. On November 24, the king of Fahd accepted the title of "Guardian of two shrines" (Mecca and Medina mosques).
In the administrative units of the country, power is carried out by the Emir of the province, the appointment of which is approved by the king, taking into account the opinion of the inhabitants. Under emir, there is advice with the right of a deliberative voice, including managers of government agencies in the region and at least 10 citizens. At the head of administrative units inside the provinces, there are also emirs responsible before the emir of the province.
There are no political parties in Saudi Arabia. Among the leading organizations of business community - Saudi Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Er-Riyadh (unites large owners of the country), several dozen shopping chambers in the country. Recently created the Supreme Economic Council with the participation of representatives of the state and business circles.
Trade union activities are not provided by law. Among other public organizations, structures involved in the dissemination of Islamic values \u200b\u200bare of great importance, first of all, the "League of Promotion of Virtue and Condimacy". There are more than 114 charitable organizations and more than 150 cooperative organizations in the country. The organization of Saudi Red Crescent has 139 branches in all parts of the country. Its activity is supported by the state. Created a system of cultural societies, literary and sports clubs, scout camps. There are 30 sports federations. Rod, tribe, family are traditional foundations of Saudi society. There are more than 100 tribes in the country, which in the recent past in the cities settled in one block. They undergo certain changes under the influence of a modern lifestyle. A group of Muslim priests and theologians is considered an influential public layer. The strengthening of modern public layers is continuing: entrepreneurs, workers, intelligentsia.
The internal policy of Saudi Arabia is based on the investigation of Islamic verbation in all spheres of life, the governance of the government about stability in the country and the welfare of subjects, the all-time development of the education, social service, health care system.
Foreign policy includes the following principles: Islamic and Arab solidarity, the country's desire to speak with peace-loving positions in solving all regional and international conflicts, the active role of Saudi Arabia in international affairs, good-neighborly relations with all countries, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
Armed Forces consist of an army and the national guard. At first formations include the forces of the Ministry of the Interior. In 1997, the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia counted 105.5 thousand people, incl. 70 thousand in the ground forces, 13.5 thousand in the Navy, 18 thousand in the air force and 4 thousand in the forces of air defense. The total number of the National Guard was approx. 77 thousand people (1999). In service with the Air Force (in 2003) there are 294 combat aircraft, not counting transport aviation, etc. Ground troops are equipped with French and American tanks (1055 units), armored personnel carriers, Hawk missiles. Air defense troops are equipped with Patriot complexes, Crottchi, fighters-interceptors. On the fleet there are several dozen large ships and boats of various purposes, 400 boats are at the disposal of coast guard.
Saudi Arabia has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established from the USSR in February 1926. In April 1938, diplomatic relations were frozen. Restored at ambassadors in September 1990).
Economy Saudi Arabia
The economic development of modern Saudi Arabia is characterized by a high specific weighing of the oil industry, with a gradual expansion of production in related industries and a number of industrial industries.
GDP of Saudi Arabia, calculated on the parity of the purchasing ability of currencies, amounted to $ 241 billion. GDP per capita 10 600 dollars. (2001). Real GDP growth 1.6% (2001). The share of Saudi Arabia in the global economy (share of GDP) at current prices approx. 0.4% (1998). The country produces almost 28% of the cumulative GDP of Arab countries. In 1997, Saudi Arabia provided 13.9% of the global oil production and 2% - gas. Inflation 1.7% (2001).
Number of 7.18 million people employed. (1999). Most of those employed in the economy, approx. 56%, represented by immigrants.
Sectoral structure of the economy in deployment in GDP (2000): Agriculture 7%, Industry 48%, SERVICES 45%. The producing industry in 2000 accounted for 37.1%, on the processing - approx. 10%, Employment GDP structure: SERVICES 63%, Industry 25%, Agriculture 12% (1999). According to 1999, the greatest number of employed - 2.217 million people. - It was in the field of finance and real estate, 1.037 million people. - in trade, restaurant and hotel business, 1.020 million people. - in construction. The rest were engaged in other sectors of the service sector and in industry, incl. OK. 600 thousand people - in the processing.
Many of the famous major Saudi companies have grown from traditional family commercial groups. Industrialization of Saudi Arabia was carried out under the leading role of the state, so companies and corporations with a high proportion of state capital are still dominated in the economy, private capital is present in their pays with state. There are companies with foreign capital. Saudi National Bank Al-Rajchi Banking & Investment Corporation Rose in 1970-80. From the oldest monetary authority of the al-Rajha family, which owns 44% of the bank's shares. "Nashnel Industrialization Ko." And "Neshnl Egrikehur Development Co." They are the first large companies in the country, respectively, industrial and agricultural development, created with the predominance of private capital. State Oil Company "Saudi Aramko" and the State Holding Company on Oil and Mineral Resources Petromin with its system of subsidiaries in various areas of the oil industry from oil production to oil production, gasoline, etc. includes 14 large companies and acts as the basis of the entire structure of the industry. Some of these companies have foreign joint-stock participation (McDemmott, Mobile Oil Investment). In the petrochemistry and heavy industry there is a similar structure, the central place is occupied by the Sabik Holding Company ("Saudi Baisik Industries Korp."), 70% of which belongs to the state. The role of private capital in this field of economy is higher. Among large companies - "Kamya", "Shark", "Ibn Sina", "Hadid", "Sadaf", "Yanget". In other branches of the economy, Arabian Sement Co. company includes. (cement production), Saudi Metal Industries (steel fittings), AZ-Zamil Group (real estate, marketing), etc. There are various banks and insurance companies in the country.
The main industry in the oil and gas industry, which provides the production of the most significant share of GDP of Saudi Arabia. It is controlled by the state through state authorized organizations and companies. To con. 1980s. The statement was completed by the state of all foreign affair in the oil company "Saudi Aramko". In the 1960-70s. In the country there was a rapid increase in oil production: from 62 million tons in 1969 to 412 million in 1974. This coincided with the outbreak of the global energy crisis in 1973 after the Arab-Israeli war. In 1977, the export of Saudi oil brought $ 36.5 billion in revenues. In the 1980s. Oil prices declined, but the oil and gas industry continues to provide considerable incomes (approx. $ 40 billion a year), which are approx. 90% of the country's income from export. Oil development is carried out on the state of fisheries. It is mined at 30 main deposits and is exported using a pipeline system, petroleum and ports on the country coast. In 2000, 4,000 were produced 441.4 million tons of oil and 49.8 million m3 of gas. Saudi Arabia plays an important role in organizing countries - oil exporters (OPEC). In 2001, the country's quota in OPEC mining was more than 7.54 million Barr. Oil per day.
In the field of gas utilization, the largest project was construction in 1975-80 a single system for collecting and processing associated gas, through which gas is exported and enterprises of petrochemistry. Production volume - 17.2 million tons of liquefied gas (1998). In the field of oil refining, there are 5 largest refineries in Yanbu, Slave, Jeddah, Er-Riyadh and Ra Tananur. The latter processes more than 300 thousand tons. Maset and diesel fuel are produced. The release of automotive and aviation gasoline, fuel for jet engines.
In large enterprises, controlled by Sabik, located in the industrial centers of El Jubil, Yanu and Jedda, are carried out petrochemical and metallurgical production. In 1990 - 96, the volume of products increased from 13 to 22.8 million tons. 12.3 million tons of petrochemical production were sold on the market, 4.2 million tons of fertilizers, 2.8 million tons of metals, 2.3 million tons of plastics. By 1997, the volume of production Sabik reached 23.7 million tons, and by 2000 production facilities planned to increase to 30 million tons. Among petrochemical goods - ethylene, urea, methanol, ammonia, polyethylene, ethylene glycol, etc.
Mining industry is poorly developed. In the beginning. 1997 Created a state mining company. Currently, gold deposits are developed to the northeast of Jeddah. In 1998, OK was mined here. 5 tons of gold, 13.84 tons of silver. Salt, gypsum are developed.
With nach 1970s. In Saudi Arabia, the building materials industry quickly developed in connection with the construction boom. The base of industry is the production of cement, it has increased from 9648 thousand tons in 1979 to 15,776 thousand in 1998. Glass production has been developed.
The metallurgical industry is represented by the production of reinforcement steel, steel rod, some types of shaped rolled products. There are several enterprises.
In 1977 he began to produce products from the Saudi-German company to assemble trucks. In Dammama there is a small shipbuilding shipyard, producing oil barges.
Important industries - desalination of sea water and energy. The first cleaner plant was built in Jedda in 1970. Now water is served off the coast in central cities. In 1970-95, the capacity of desalination factories increased from 5 to 512 million American gallons of water per year. It was electrified approx. 6000 cities and villages across the country. In 1998, electricity production amounted to 19,753 MW, in 1999 production facilities reached 23,438 MW. In the next two decades, the annual increase in electricity needs is expected, equal to 4.5%. It will be necessary to increase its production to approx. 59 000 MW.
Accepted light, food and pharmaceutical industry. The light industry is mainly represented by craft-type enterprises. The country has more than 2.5 thousand facilities for the production of food, tobacco products, 3500 carpet, textile, sewing and shoe, more than 2474 wood binding, 170 printing houses. The government encourages the development of enterprises manufacturing by private capital. According to the results of issuing licenses in the 1990s. The most priorities were the creation of the production of petrochemical goods and plastics, metalworking and mechanical workshops, production of paper products and printing products, food, ceramics, glass and building materials, textiles, clothing and leather goods, woodworking.
The share of agriculture in the country's GDP was only 1.3% in 1970. For 1970-93, the production of basic food products increased from 1.79 million to 7 million tons. Saudi Arabia is completely devoid of constant watercourses. Earths suitable for processing occupy less than 2% of the territory. Despite this, agriculture of Saudi Arabia, subsidized by the government and using modern technologies and techniques, has become a dynamically developing industry. Long-term hydrological studies started in 1965 identified significant water resources suitable for agricultural use. In addition to deep wells throughout the country, rural and water management of Saudi Arabia uses more than 200 reservoirs with a total volume of 450 million m3. Only the agricultural project in El Hase, completed in 1977, allowed to irrigate 12 thousand hectares and to provide 50 thousand people. Other major irrigation projects include the Vadi-Jizan project on the Red Sea coast (8 thousand hectares) and the Abha project in the mountains of Asira, in the south-west. In 1998, the government announced a new project of agricultural development worth $ 294 million. The land of the treated land to ser. 1990s. Up to 3 million hectares increased, the country began to export food, food imports decreased from 83 to 65%. According to the export of wheat S. A. in the 2nd floor. 1990s. She held the 6th place in the world. More than 2 million tons of wheat are produced, more than 2 million tons of vegetables, approx. 580 thousand tons of fruit (1999). Barley, corn, millet, coffee, alfalfa and rice are also grown.
Livestock develops, presented by breeding camels, sheep, goats, donkeys and horses. An important branch is fishing and fishing processing. In 1999, OK was mined. 52 thousand tons of fish. Fish, shrimps are exported.
The length of the railways is 1392 km, 724 km have two tracks of motion (2001). In 2000, 853.8 thousand passengers and 1.8 million tons of cargo were transported by rail. Automobile transport numbers more than 5.1 million cars, of which 2.286 million are freight. Extension of roads - 146 524 km, incl. 44 104 km of coated roads. In the 1990s. The construction of a trans-Saorian highway has been completed. Pipeline transport includes 6400 km of pipelines for pumping oil, 150 km for pumping petroleum products and 2200 km of gas pipelines, incl. For liquefied gas. Sea transport numbers 274 vessels with a total gross lifting capacity of 1.41 million tons, of which 71 large vessels has the capacity of St. 1000 tons, including 30 tankers (including chemicals), cargo ships and refrigerators, there are also 9 passenger ships (2002). 90% of goods delivered to the country around the sea. Fleet Transferred in 1999 88.46 million tons of cargo. The largest ports - Jeddah, Yanbu, Jizan on the Red Sea coast, expand a number of other ports. Dammamam - 2nd in the meaning of the trading port and the largest port of the country in the Persian Gulf. Another major port in the Gulf - Jubiel. The largest oil port is a rapanur, through it up to 90% of oil is exported. In the kingdom of 25 commercial airports. The world's largest international airport. King Abdelziziz in Jeddah (halls at the same time can take 80 thousand pilgrims, the cargo turnover is approx. 150 thousand tons per year), airport them. King Fahd in Dammama (12 million passengers per year), airports in Er Riyadh (15 million passengers per year) and Dakhran. Other - airports in Haile, Beach and Badan. Saudi Airlines "Saudia" - the largest in the Middle East. In 1998, 11.8 million passengers were transported.
In Saudi Arabia, the communication system consists of 3.23 million stationary telephone lines and more than 2.52 million mobile phone users, approx. 570 thousand Internet users (2001). 117 television channels are broadcast. The country is actively involved in creating a societary satellite communications. There are several national television and radio channels and approx. 200 newspapers and other periodicals, incl. 13 daily.
Trade is the traditional sector of the economic activity of Saudi Arabia. Import mainly industrial and consumer goods. To encourage the national industry a duty in 20%, competing goods competing with local goods are subject to. Strictly regulated by the import into the country of alcohol, narcotic substances, weapons, religious literature. Other sectors of services are related to real estate, financial transactions, in which the activities of foreigners are limited.
Until recently, tourism development was mainly connected with the service of pilgrims who come to Mecca. Their annual number is approx. 1 million people. In con. 1990s. It was decided to make foreign tourism to the most important sector of the service sector. In 2000, the development of tourism is occupied. 14.4 billion US dollars. There were 200 hotels in the country.
Modern economic policy is characterized by the participation of the state in the main sectors of the economy and the restriction of the presence of foreign capital. However, with the con. 1990s. There is a course on the simultaneous expansion of the activity of national private capital, privatization, stimulating foreign investment. Oil and gas production remains in the hands of the state. Social policy includes ensuring social guarantees of the population, support and subsidizing youth and family. At the present stage, this is combined with stimulating the preparation and retraining of national personnel for work in industry and the private sector of the economy.
The country's monetary system is characterized by ensuring the national currency with the help of revenue income from oil exports, liberal currency regime. Monetary and banking system control is carried out by a currency agency. Independent activities of foreign banking capital have not been permitted to date. In a number of joint banks with foreign capital, the controlling stake has a national affiliation. There are 11 commercial banks and special development banks, as well as funds for financial assistance to Arab countries. Banks operate on the Islamic system, do not charge and do not pay a fixed percentage.
The state budget of the country is formed by 75% at the expense of income from oil exports. Taxes to con. 1990s. Absent, except for religious. In 1995, indirect taxes were estimated at 1300 million Saud. Rials (less than 0.3% GDP). Currently, companies are introduced for income and personal income tax. The introduction of value added tax is considered, etc. The largest budget expenditure articles: Defense and Safety - 36.7%, the development of human resources - 24.6%, the public administration - 17.4%, health care - approx. 9% (2001). Budget revenues $ 42 billion, costs - 54 billion (2002). There is considerable internal debt. External debt is estimated at $ 23.8 billion (2001). Gross capital investments - 16.3% of GDP (2000).
The standard of living of the country's population is relatively high. The average salary in industry is 7863.43 dollars per year (2000).
The trade balance of the country is active. The cost of exports is $ 66.9 billion, imports of 29.7 billion dollars. The main article of exports - oil and petroleum products (90%). Main export partners: USA (17.4%), Japan (17.3%), South Korea (11.7%), Singapore (5.3%), India. Appliances and equipment, food, chemicals, cars, textiles are imported. Main imports on imports: USA (21.1%), Japan (9.45%), Germany (7.4%), United Kingdom (7.3%) (2000).
Science and Culture of Saudi Arabia
Education is paid great attention. In con. 1990s. Education costs - St. 18% of the budget, the number of schools of all levels exceeded 21,000. In 1999/2000, the number of students of all forms of learning was approx. 4.4 million people, and teachers - more than 350 thousand education for girls lead a special supervisory board, they accounted for approx. 46% of students in Ser. 1990s. Education is free and open to all citizens, although not mandatory. The university system includes Islamic University in Medina, University of Oil and Mineral Resources. King Fahd in Dahran, University. King Abdelaziza in Jedda, University. King Faisala (having separations in Dammama and El Hufufe), University. Imam Mohammed Ibn Sauda in Er-Riyadh, University Umm El-Kura in Mecca and University. King Saud in Er-Riyadh. There are also 83 institutes. Special Office is engaged in schools for sick children. In the scientific and technical town they. King Abdelziz is conducted by research in the field of geodesy, energy, ecology.
Saudi Arabia is a country with ancient cultural traditions. Many architectural monuments embody Arab and Islamic elegant arts. These are old castles, forts and other monuments in all parts of the country. Among the 12 main museums, the National Museum on Archeology and the People's Heritage, the Museum of the Al-Masmak fortress in Er-Riyadh. Saudi Society for Culture and Arts with branches in many cities organizes exhibitions of works and festivals in the field of arts. In the art center near Abha, exhibitions of local and regional artisans are held, there are a library and theater. The system of literary clubs and libraries is widely developed. Saudi literature is represented by a wide range of ancient and modern works, poetry (OD, Satira and Lyrics, religious and social topics) and prose (novel), journalism. Interesting creative festivals. The National Festival of Cultural Heritage in Genadria to the North of Er-Riyadh collects local and foreign scientists - Humanitarians, representatives of all areas of the country participate in it, it covers elegant arts, folk dances, painting, literature, poetry. Camels are held on camels.
The cultural life imposes an imprint of Islamic religion. The state has created 210 Islamic cultural centers around the world to explain Islamic culture. Local customs include restraint of behavior, one should not talk to women, except for service personnel. Muslims make prayer 5 times a day, when entering the mosque, shoes take off. Nemumulmans are prohibited from appearing in the sacred cities of Mecca and Medina.
The roots of the state-owned device of modern Saudi Arabia lie in the Religious Reformed Motion of the mid-18th century, called Wahhabism. It was based on the UK project Muhammed Ibn Abd Al-Wahhab (1703-1792) and supported by Mohammed Ibn Saud (the years of government 1726 / 27-1765), the leader of the Anise tribe, inhabited by the Ed-Deiria region in the central non-president.
By the mid 1780s, Saddi was established throughout the territory. They managed to unite part of the tribes of Central and Eastern Arabia into a religious and political confederation, the purpose of which was the spread of the Wahhabi doctrine and the authorities of non-slander emirions into the territory of the entire Arabian Peninsula.
Who was Wahabitov war against?
1762 - Wahhabits headed towards the city of Al-Ines and killed residents of nearby settlements.
1773 - Wahhabi was asked by the city of Er-Riyadh and held his inhabitants for a long time in siege. When captured, they destroyed the many citizens. Not even spared those who ran into the desert, pursuing the runners, killing them and taking the property.
1787 - Wahhabis attacked the inhabitants of Qatar and killed their large number.
After the death of Al-Wahhab (1792), the son of Ibn Sauda, \u200b\u200bEmir Abdel Aziz Ibn Mohammed Al-Saud (1765-1803), laid the title of Imam. Relying on the Union of Wahhabi tribes, he began a bloody war, demanding from neighboring Sultanates recognition of the Wahhabi teaching and a joint speech against the Ottoman Empire.
1795 - Wahhabis attacked Al-Ines. Their historian proudly reports that, approaching the settlement, they made a simultaneous volley from all the guns so that many pregnant women had miscarriage from fear. In the same year they arranged a massacre and robbean in the city of Ar-Rakik. They were executed even those who surrendered, cut the heads before the tent of their leader.
1797 - Wahhabis made a raid to Kuwait, robbing and killing those who stood on protecting their property.
1802 - Wahhabis attacked Kerbel's city and reported by their historian, killed most of the inhabitants right in homes and in the markets. Further, as has already become accepted, robbing began. Even the tomb of Hussein was plundered (and he will be pleased with Allah) - the grandson of the prophet (peace and blessing).
1803 - Wahhabis attacked the city of Taif and arranged a terrible massacre there. They killed everyone in a row, and those who tried to hide in the mosque, and those who hid at home. They did not spare neither children nor women nor old people. The Shafiti Mufti Mecca Abdullah Az Zavavi and many other scientists were killed, and the city itself was looted. Killing over 4 thousand citizens and taking treasures, they retreated back to the desert.
By 1803 almost the entire coast of the Persian Gulf and the island adjacent to him (including Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and most of Oman and Muscat) were subordinated to Wahhabits.
In 1803, as a sign of revenge for desecration, Svytyn Kerbel Abdel Aziz was killed by Shiites. But even with his heir, Emire Safe I Ibn Abdel Aziz (1803-1814), Wahhabi expansion continued with a new force.
1805 - Mecca block began. Pilgrims sent to Mecca captivated and killed. Many residents of the city died of hunger. The streets of children were lying on the streets. In the same year, they captured the property of nomadic tribes Harb, burned many palm trees and killed many people in the Valley of AS-Safa.
1810 - Sons of the Saud, dissatisfied with the content that the father defined them, waiting until he goes to Hajj, attacked Oman. The purpose of the campaign was robbery.
From the end of the 18th century The frequent Wahhabitsky raids were increasingly accomplished. Islamic scientists then made Fetwa (official religious edict), according to which the followers of Al-Wahhab were outlawed. The army of the Egyptian ruler (Vali) of Mohammed Ali was sent to suppressing Wahhabites. However, in December 1811, the Egyptian army was completely crushed. Despite the first defeat and desperate resistance of Wahhabis, the Egyptians in November 1812 took Medina, and in January next year - Mecca, Taif and Jedda. They restored the annual pilgrimage to holy places prohibited by Wahhabis, and returned the Hijaz control of Hischites. After the death of the Saud in May 1814, His son Abdalla Ibn Saud Ibn Abdel Aziz became Emir. Initially, 1815 Egyptians caused the forces of Wahhabis a series of heavy lesions. Wahhabits were defeated in Hijaz, Ashere and in strategically important areas between Hijaz and an next. However, in May 1815, Mohammed Ali had to urgently leave Arabia. In the spring of 1815, the world was signed. Under the terms of the Hijaz treaty, the Egyptians moved under the management of Egyptians, and Wahhabis retained only the districts of Central and Northeast Arabia. Emir Abdalla promised to obey the Egyptian medina governor, and also recognized himself with Vassal Turkish Sultan. He also pledged to ensure the safety of Hajj and return the treasures abducted by Wahhabi in Mecca. But the truce was short-lived, and in 1816 the war resumed. In 1817, as a result of the successful onset of the Egyptians, the fortified settlements of the ER Ros, Buraidu and Unese took. The commander of the Egyptian forces of Ibrahim-Pasha, having enlisted with the support of most tribes, in early 1818 I invaded the EMD and April 1818 askedid ED-Diriyia. After a five-month siege, the city fell (September 15, 1818). The last ruler of ED-Diriyia, Abdalla Ibn Saud, surrendered to the mercy of the winners, was sent first to Cairo, then Istanbul and there is publicly executed. Other Saddi were taken to Egypt. ED-DIARYYY was destroyed. In all cities, there was no fortunate and put the Egyptian garrisons. In 1819, the entire territory previously owned by Saudidam was attached to the possessions of the Egyptian ruler of Mohammed Ali. However, Egyptian influence lasted only a few years. In 1820, Vakhhabita was raised in ED-Diriev, the uprising led by Misrahi Ibn Saud, one of the relatives of the executed Emir.
Ibn Saud and the formation of Saudi Arabia.
The power of the Sadidov dynasty was restored by Emir ABD Al-Aziz Ibn Saud (the full name of ABD Al-Aziz Ibn Abdaraman Ibn Faisal Ibn Abdallah Ibn Muhhamed Al Saud, later received fame under the name of Ibn Saud), who returned in 1901 from the exile and began a war against Dynasty rashidide. In January 1902, Ibn Saud, with the support of the ruler of Kuwait Mubarak, with a small detachment of his supporters, Her-Riyadh seized, the former capital of Saddov. This victory allowed him to gain a foothold and gain support from both religious leaders who proclaimed him with a new emir and imam and local tribes. By the spring of 1904 ibn Saud restored control over most of the southern and central tenant. To combat Wahhabi, Rashidida in 1904 turned to the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman troops sent to Arabia forced Ibn Sauda for a long time to move on defense, but soon defeated and left the country. In 1905, the military successes of Wahhabites forced the Governor (Vali) of the Ottoman Empire in Iraq to recognize Ibn Saud with his vassal in non-President. The ownership of Ibn Sauda nominally became the district of Ottoman Vilayet Basra. Left alone, rashidida continued to fight for some time. But in April 1906, their Emir Abdel Aziz Ibn Mitab Al-Rashid (1897-1906) died in battle. His successor Mitab hurried to conclude the world and recognized the Rights of Sadda for subsearch and Kasim. By exchange of letters, Turkish Sultan Abdul Hamid confirmed this agreement. Ottoman troops were removed from Kasym, and Ibn Saud became the only ruler of Central Arabia.
In an effort to achieve the loyalty of the largest tribes, Ibn Saud on the advice of Wahhabi religious teachers began to translate them to settle down. To this end, in 1912, all Bedouin tribes and oasis, who refused to recognize Ibn Saud with their emir and Imam, began to be treated as enemies. They were prescribed to move into agricultural colonies ("Hijra"), whose members were called upon to love their homeland, unquestioning to Imam-Emir and not to enter into any contacts with Europeans and residents of countries (including Muslims). In each community, military garrisons were erected, and they themselves became not only by farmers, but also the soldiers of the state of Saddov. By 1915, more than 200 such settlements were organized throughout the country, which included at least 60 thousand people who were ready for the first call Ibn Saud to enter the war with "incorrect."
With their help, Ibn Saud has established full control over the 1112 (1912), annexed El Has and the territory bordering Abu Dhabi and Muscat (1913). This allowed him to conclude a new agreement in May 1914 with the Ottoman Empire. In accordance with him, Ibn Saud became the governor (Vali) of the newly educated province of subsection. Even earlier, the UK recognized El Hasu possessions by Emir Neru. Between the two countries began negotiations, which led to the fact that on December 26, 1915, a contract "On Friendship and Union with the Government of British India was signed in Darin." Ibn Saud was recognized by Emir of Nenia, Kasima and El Hasa, independent of the Ottoman Empire, but did not undertake not to speak against England and coordinate his foreign policy with her, not to attack British possessions in the Arabian Peninsula, not to alienate its territory to third states and not enter Agreements with other countries, except the UK, as well as again begin the war against rashidide, which were allies of the Ottoman Empire. For this concession, Saddi received substantial military and financial assistance (in the amount of 60 f. Art. Per year). Despite the agreement, Nediadia Emirate never took part in the First World War, limiting the spread of his influence in Arabia.
At the same time, as a result of the secret correspondence of the British High Commissioner in Egypt Mak-Magon, with Great Sheriff Mecca Hussein Ibn Ali Al-Hami on October 24, 1915 Agreement was reached, according to which Hussein pledged to raise Arabs to the uprising against the Ottoman Empire. Instead, the United Kingdom recognized the independence of the future of the Arab State of Hamisites in his "natural borders" (part of Syria, Palestine, Iraq and the entire Arabian Peninsula, with the exception of British protectorates and territories of Western Syria, Lebanon and Kilicia, who claimed France). In accordance with the agreement in June 1916, the detachments of the Hijaz tribes headed by the son of Hussein Faisal and the British Colonel T.E.Lorence raised the uprising. Taking the title of King, Hussein declared the independence of Hijaz from the Ottoman Empire. Using diplomatic recognition, he proclaimed on October 19, 1916 on the independence of all Arabs from the Ottoman Empire and after 10 days he accepted the title of "King of All Arabs". However, the United Kingdom and France, secretly violating their obligations in the spring of 1916 (Says-Pico Agreement), recognized him only by the king of Hijaz. By July 1917, the Arabs cleared Hijaz from the Turks and took the port of Aqaba. At the final stage of the war, the detachments under the command of Faisala and T.E.Lurens took Damascus (September 30, 1918). As a result of the Mudrossky truce prisonered on October 30, 1918, the domination of the Ottoman Empire in Arab countries was liquidated. The process of separating the Hijaz (and other Arabic possessions) from Turkey was finally completed in 1921 at a conference in Cairo.
1919 - Wahhabis attacked the settlements of Turab and Hezba. In one turba, more than three thousand people were killed (al-Hatib, "Safakhat Min Tariha Al-Jazeera").
After the end of the First World War, the activity of Wahhabis at the borders was led by the collisions of the sidis with most neighboring states. In 1919, in the battle near the city of Turaba, located on the border between Hijaz and the Seven, they completely destroyed the royal army of Hussein Ibn Ali. The losses were so great that Sheriff Mecca had no strength to defend the hijaz. In August 1920, Saudi troops led by Prince Faisal Ibn Abdel Aziz As-Saud was taken by the top asyr; The emirate was declared a protectorate of Naja (finally annexed in 1923). In the same year, under the blows of Wahhabites fell Khail, the capital of Jabel-Shammar. With the defeat of the next year, Mohammed's forces Ibn Talal, the last Rashdid Emir, Jabel-Shammar was joined to the possessions of Saudids. On August 22, 1921, Ibn Saud was proclaimed by Sultan Nedia and dependent territories. In the next two years, Ibn Saud Annexed El Jaouf and Wadi Sirhan, spreading its power to the entire North Arabia. Encouraged by success, they continued to move north, invading the border areas of Iraq, Kuwait and Transice.
1925 - Mecca again captured. The most valuable library was destroyed, where the works were kept from the times of the associates. One of those who headed the whakhabite army was English Scout John Philippi.
Here are only some examples of wars, which were Wahhabis against Muslims.
As a result, the war hijaz was joined by Nappy. January 8, 1926 In the Big Mecca Mosque, Ibn Saud was proclaimed by the King of Hijaz and Sultan Nedia (Saudi State received the name "Kingdom of Hijaz, Sultanat North and Attached Region"). On February 16, 1926, the Soviet Union was the first to recognize the new state and established diplomatic and trade relations with him. Hijaz, who was given by the Constitution (1926), received autonomy as part of the United States; His governor (Vice-King) was appointed Son Ibn Saud, in which the test meeting was created, appointed by him on the presentation of "famous citizens" of Mecca. The meeting was considered bills and other issues that the governor put in front of him, but all his decisions were advisory.
In October 1926, Saddi established their protectorate over the Lower Asium (finally conquering Asira was completed in November 1930). On January 29, 1927, Ibn Saud was proclaimed by the King of Hijaz, the Nedia and the affiliates (the state received the name "Kingdom of Hijaz and Nedia and the Attached Regions"). In May 1927, London was forced to recognize the independence of Hijaz - Neru; Ibn Saud, for its part, recognized the "special relationship" of Sheikh Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Neman with the United Kingdom (Treaty of Clayton).
With the conquest of the Hijaz and the introduction of a new tax on pilgrims, the main source of income in the treasury was Hajj (in the whole of the kingdom, except for the hijaz, taxes were charged "in nature"). In order to promote the development of Hadja Ibn Saud, measures were taken to normalize relations with Western powers and their allies in Arab countries. However, on this path, Ibn Saud faced an internal opposition. The modernization of the country in the western pattern (the spread of such innovations, as telephones, cars, telegraph, the premises of the son of the Saud Faisal in the "Country of Unbelievers" - Egypt) they regarded as unacceptable innovations. The crisis in camels, caused by the import of cars, has further strengthened discontent in the Bedouin environment.
In 1927, Iraqi troops occupied a neutral zone, which led to a new war between the dynasties of Hashchitov and Sadidov. Only after the bomb strikes of British aviation for the troops of Ibn Saud, the fighting between the two states was discontinued. Iraq brought his troops from the neutral zone (1928). On February 22, 1930 ibn Saud signed the world with the king of Iraq Faisal (the son of the former Emir Hijaz Hussein), completing the Saudi-Hashemte dynastic enmity at the Arabian Peninsula (1919-1930).
In 1928, the leaders apposition, accusing Ibn Saud in treason, for which they fought, threw out an open challenge of the monarch power. However, the majority of the population rods around the king, which gave him the opportunity to quickly suppress the uprising. In October 1928, a peaceful agreement was concluded between the king and leaders of the rebel. But in 1929, Ibn Saud took a new military operation. Ibn Saud has formed a small army from the first-loyal tribes and urban population and has emerged a series of defeats by Bedouin rebel groups. The civil war, however, continued until 1930, when the rebels were surrounded by the British in Kuwaiti territory, and their leaders were transferred to Ibn Saud. With the defeat, tribal unions lost their role in the main military support of Ibn Saud. During the civil war, rebellious sheikh and their squads were completely destroyed. This victory has become the final stage on the way of creating a single centralized state.
On September 22, 1932, Ibn Saud changed the name of his state to the new - the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Throughout the subsequent period of the Board of IBN Saud, internal problems did not imagine special difficulties for him. At the same time, the external communications of the kingdom developed ambiguously. The policy of religious intolerance led to the alienation of Saudi Arabia from most Muslim governments, who considered Saudi regimen hostile and outraged full control, established by Wahhabi above the sacred cities and hajide.
Literature:
Kirill Limanov. Saudi Arabia.
Materials online encyclopedia "Circlevet".
Arabia countries. Directory. M., 1964.
Lutsky V. B. New History of Arab countries. 2 ed., M., 1966.
Kiselev K.A. Egypt and the Wahhabis state: the War in the Desert (1811-1818) // New and the Newest History. 2003, No. 4.
Aleksandrov I.A. Monarchy of the Persian Gulf. Stage of upgrades. M., 2000.
Vasilyev A.M. The history of Saudi Arabia: 1745 - the end of the twentieth century. M., 2001.
Victoria Semenova
SAUDI ARABIA. HISTORY
Wahhabism. The roots of the State Device of the Contemporary Kingdom of Saudi Arabia lie in the Religious Reformed Motion of the middle of the 18th century, called Wahhabism. It was founded by Mohammed Ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703-1792) and supported by Mohammed Ibn Saud, the leader of the Anise tribe, inhabited by the ED-Diria area in the central non-priest. Ibn Sauda and Ibn ABB Al-Wahhab managed to unite the tribes of the Nedia to the religious and political confederation, the purpose of which was the spread of the Wahhabi teachings and the power of the Saddis into the territory of all Arabian P-Oov. Son Mohammed Ibn Sauda, \u200b\u200bAbd Al-Aziz (the years of government 1765-1803), took the title of Imam, which meant the union in his hands as secular and spiritual power in his hands. Under his leadership, as well as with his son, Safe (the years of the Board of 1803-1814), Wahhabis conquered Central and Eastern Arabia, invaded Iraq, Syria and Oman and devastated Hijaz. In the second decade of 19 century. They were broken by Pasha Egypt Mohammed Ali, and in 1818 Ibrahim-Pasha, the son of Mohammed Ali, destroyed ED-Diria. However, over the next few years, Wahhabits, under the leadership of Imam Turki (the years of government 1824-1834), managed to recover from defeat, to establish the new capital of Er-Riyad near ED-Diria and restore the power of Sudids over the semist and El Hasoy. In 1837-1840, Wahhabis again suffered from Mohammed Ali, but they managed to restore their position under the leadership of the son of the Turks, Faisala (the years of the Board 1834-1838, 1843-1865). Over the next three decades, they played a leading role in the political life of Central and Eastern Arabia. The struggle of the power worked out between the Sadidami allowed the Turks to seize in 1871 Al Hasu, and for several subsequent years, the Saddi was moved to the shadow of the rival Dynasty of Rashidide from the independent Emirate of Shammar. In 1890, rashidides captured ER Riyadh and forced the sudis to flee to remote areas and leave the country. Ibn Saud and the formation of Saudi Arabia. The power of the Saddov dynasty was restored by Abd Al-Aziz Ibn Saud (the years of the Board of 1902-1953), later received fame under the name Ibn Saud, who in 1901-1902 returned from the exile and restored his power in Er-Riyadh. Later he managed to drive a rashidide from Nenia. In 1913 he knocked out the Turks from El Hasa. During World War I, he managed to strengthen his position even more, concluding an agreement with the Government of British India in December 1915, according to which he was recognized by the ruler of Nedia, Al Hasa and the affiliates. After the war, Ibn Saud smashed rashidids and in 1921 attached Shammar. A year later, he concluded a whole series of agreements with the United Kingdom, which had established borders with Kuwait and Iraq. Ibn Saud strengthened his power over the next, El Hasoy and Shammar mainly due to the fact that he managed to enlist the support of the leaders of the largest tribes, such as Mutheir and Weta, and also because he was able to control Bedouins under his control, settled them in the half settlements called Hijra. Acting together with the rules of Nedia, he again lit in the minds and hearts of relatives former Wahhabi fanaticism and united them into the military-religious organization "Brothers" (Miavan), whose goal was the enforced plant of Wahhabism, the destruction of the enemies of the sudides and strengthen their power. By the end of the First World War, the activity of the Mozhvanov's movement at the borders was led to clashes with the chief rival of Ibn Saud on the Arabian Peni, Hussein Ibn Ali, the newly proclaimed King of Hijaz (Hussein was a representative of the Hashest family, who ruled Mecca from 11th century). Then the full-scale war was avoided, but in 1924, after the elimination of the Ottoman Empire and the proclamation of the Turkish Republic, Hussein accepted the title of Khalifa of all Muslims. By blaming him in disbelief, in August of the same year invaded the hijaz and in October seized Mecca, and Hussein was forced to renounce the throne in favor of his son Ali. A year later, after passing Medina and Jeddah Ibn Saud, Ali also renounced the throne. With the help of Ivvanov, an Asyr, an area located between Hijaz and North Yemen, was supplied under the control of IBN Saude. In 1927, according to a new agreement with the United Kingdom, in which, unlike the previous agreement, 1915, the provisions were missed, limiting the independence of the state of IBN Saud, he was recognized as King Hijaz and Sultan. Five years in 1932, Ibn Saud changed the name of his state to the new - the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was recognized as global powers as an independent state.
Kingdom with Ibn Saude. After winning the Hijaz, some of the leaders of Ivvanov showed aggressiveness against Er-Riyadh, refusing to stop raids on Iraq and transice (the borders with which the UK were installed in 1925) and trying to dictate the policy of Ibn Saud. In 1928, they raised the open rebellion, which was suppressed by Ibn Saud. The Actions of Ibn Sauda were approved by the Council of the Ulemov, who considered that only the king had the right to declare war (jihad) and manage the state. Throughout the subsequent period of the Board of IBN Saud, internal problems did not imagine special difficulties for him. At the same time, the external communications of the kingdom developed ambiguously. The extremes of Ivvanov led to the alienation of Saudi Arabia from most Muslim governments who considered Saudi regime hostile and outrageous full controls established by Wahhabi above the sacred cities and hajide. Between Ibn Saud and the Hashemite rulers of Iraq and Transiordania - the sons of Hussein overthrown by him - there were mutual dislike. It was hardly possible to call the warm relationship of Ibn Saud with the king of Egypt, whom he suspected in the desire to revive the calipheat and declare himself as a caliph. In February 1934, Ibn Saud began a war with Imam Yemen because of the demarcation of the Yemen-Saudi border. Military actions were discontinued after signing an agreement in May 1934. Two years later, the border was determined by de facto. The border problems also took place in the eastern part of the Arabian P-ov after Ibn Saud in 1933 provided the oil concession of the company "Standard Oil of California". Nobe the negotiations with the UK on the demarcation of borders with neighboring British protectorates and possessions - Qatar, negotiable Oman, Muscat and Oman and Eastern Protectorate of Aden. Meanwhile, the company "California Arabien Standard Oil" - a branch "Standard Oil of California" - discovered oil in El Hass. The beginning of the Second World War prevented the full-scale development of El Hasya oil fields, but partly loss of income Ibn Saud was refunded at the expense of British and then American assistance. During the war, Saudi Arabia retained neutrality. In the future, the United States received the right to the construction of a military air base in Dakhran, in Al Hasse, where the headquarters of the company Aramko, the former Castow was located. At the end of the war, oil production increased significantly, its intelligence continued. Based on significantly increased resources, Ibn Saud again turned his attention to part of the territory of the contractual Oman and Oman. In 1949, a new round of negotiations with the United Kingdom began, but he also turned out to be unsuccessful. Ibn Saud died in November 1953. All subsequent rulers of Saudi Arabia were sons of Ibn Saud.
Saudi Arabia after Ibn Saud. In a full scale, the change caused by huge income from the export of oil was already manifested in the reign of the receiver of Ibn Saud, his second son of Sauda (r. 1902). Ineffective financial management of the kingdom and inconsistent internal and foreign policy led in 1958 to the crisis of public administration, as a result of which Saud was forced to transfer all the complete executive to his brother Faisal. Faceal was appointed prime minister. With it, a permanent account was formed, which was the most important innovation in the structure of power. In 1960-1962 Saud returned direct control over the government, again taking the post of Prime Minister. But in October 1964, he was shifted by the members of the royal family, whose decision was confirmed by Father, decree of the Council of the Ulem. The king was proclaimed Faisal. The new king retained the post of Prime Minister. This practice continued at its receivers. In the late 1940s - early 1950s, the relations of Saudi Arabia with its Arab neighbors were somewhat improved, which was a consequence of the establishment of the state of Israel and the growth of hostility towards him from the Arab countries. The determination of the President of Egypt Gamal Abdel Smera to remove any government from power, which stood on the way of uniting Arab countries, made Saudi Arabia after 1960 the main object of attacks on his part. Starting from 1962, for five years, Saudi Arabia provided assistance to the overthrown Imam of Northern Yemen, while Egypt sent troops there and assisted the Republicans. And although the threat from Abdel Vasser decreased after the withdrawal of Egyptian troops from South Yemen in 1967, as a consequence of Egypt's defeat in the Arab-Israeli War, Saudi Arabia faced another problem, a revolutionary regime in the People's Republic of South Yemen. The relations of Saudi Arabia with Egypt improved after Faceal began to assist him in order to compensate for the losses caused by the closing of the Suez Canal. Relations with Iraq, who have always been tense, were practically interrupted after the reploolds of the republic in 1958. Relations with Syria also worsened after joining power in March 1963 of the Radical Party of Arab Socialist Renaissance (BAAS). The sympathies that Faisal could have been tested to the king Jordan Hussein as his colleague-monarch, as well as the enemy of any revolutions, Marxism and republican sentiments, were overshadowed by traditional rivalry between the Sadidami and Hashchitov. Nevertheless, in August 1965, a 40-year dispute was allowed between Saudi Arabia and Jordan on the border: Saudi Arabia recognized Jordan's claim to the port city of Aqaba. At Arabian Persh, Faisal faced a threat from subversive organizations that supported the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (formerly South Yemen). The problems of Saudi Arabia were aggravated after the termination of the British Protectorate over the principalities of the Persian Gulf in 1971. Before leaving this area, the British government tried to convince local rulers to unite into the federation and achieve an agreement with Saudi Arabia on a common border. The agreement on friendship and cooperation, concluded between the Soviet Union and Iraq in 1972, strengthened the fears of Faisal and pushed him into attempts to unite neighboring countries in the anti-revolutionary coalition. As well as the Government of Northern Yemen (the Yemen Arab Republic, Yar), where, after 1967, moderate Republicans came to power, Faisal supported thousands of southern Yemen who fled after 1967 in Yar and Saudi Arabia. After the Arab-Israeli war in October 1973, Faisal became the initiator of the Arab oil embargo against Western countries, incl. The United States in order to force them to conduct a more balanced policy against Arab-Israeli conflict. Arab solidarity contributed to an increase in oil prices four times and an increase in the welfare of Arab oil-producing states. March 25, 1975 King Faisal was killed by one of his nephews during the reception. His brother Halad joined the throne (1913-1982). Due to the weak health of Khaled, a significant part of the authority was transferred to the Crown Prince Fahdu (r. 1922). The new government continued the conservative policy of Faisal, increasing the cost of development of transport, industry and education. After 1974 Saudi Arabia has made efforts to reduce the growth of world oil prices. Saudi government opposed the Egyptian-Israeli peace agreements concluded in 1978-1979, adhering to the general Arab position that they are a separate world who destroyed the hope of a comprehensive resolution of Arab-Israeli contradictions. Saudi Arabia could not stay away from the climbing wave of Islamic fundamentalism, which followed the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1978-1979. The voltage in Saudi society was openly manifested in November 1979, when armed Muslim oppositionists captured the Mekki's main mosque. The mosque was liberated by Saudi troops after two-week fights, in which more than 200 people died. An armed rebellion led by Djucheiman Al-Obey was the first open performance against the monarchy in the country, starting from the founding of the Third Saudi state in 1932. The unrest also had a place among Shiites living in the eastern regions (El Hass). In response to these performances, the Crown Prince of Fahd announced at the beginning of 1980 on the plans for the creation of the Advisory Council, which, however, was formed only in 1993. In 1982, King Chalated was died, his brother Fahd took. In August 1990, soon after the occupation by Iraq of neighboring Kuwait, the Fahd authorized the deployment in Saudi Arabia's significant US military forces to protect the country from an increased military threat from Iraq. Multinational forces in the composition of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and other Western, Arab and Muslim countries managed to oust the Iraqi troops from Kuwait in early 1991 and thereby eliminating the immediate threat of Saudi Arabia. After the war in the Persian Gulf, the Government of Saudi Arabia was subjected to powerful pressure from the fundamentalists who demanded political reforms, strict following the provisions of the Sharia, the withdrawal of the troops of Western countries, especially American, from the sacred land of Arabia. The king of Fahdu was sent to petitions, called for the expansion of government powers, wider public participation in political life and greater economic justice. Following these promotions, the creation of a legal rights committee in May 1993 was followed. However, soon the government banned this organization, and the King of Fahd demanded from fundamentalists to stop anti-government agitation.
The encyclopedia of the colley. - Open Society. 2000 .
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SAUDI ARABIA,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arab. Al-Mamlyak Al-Arabia As-Saudia), a state in Arabian P-Oves in South-West Asia. In the north borders with Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait; In the East is washed by the Persian Bay and borders with the Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, it borders on the southeast with Oman, in the south - with Yemen, in the West is washed with the Red Sea and the Bay of Aqaba. The total length of borders is 4431 km. Area - 2149.7 thousand square meters. km (data is approximate, because borders in the south and south-east are not clearly established). In 1975 and 1981, agreements on the section of a small neutral zone on the border of two states were signed between Saudi Arabia and Iraq, which was implemented in 1987. Another agreement was signed with Qatar about the border demarcation until 1998. In 1996, a section of a neutral zone was conducted Border with Kuwait (5570 square meters), but both countries continue to enjoy oil and other natural resources in the area. Border issues with Yemen have not yet been resolved; Nomadic groups in the border areas with Yemen resist the border demarcation. The negotiations of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue on the maritime border with Iran. The border status with the combined Arab Emirates was not fully established (the details of the 1974 and 1977 agreements were not made public). Population - 24,293 thousand people, incl. 5576 thousand foreigners (2003). The capital is Er-Riyad (3627 thousand). Administratively divided into 13 provinces (103 districts).
NATURE
Relief area.
Saudi Arabia occupies almost 80% of the territory of Arabian P-Ova and several coastal islands in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. On the surface of the surface, most of the country is an extensive desert plateau (height from 300-600 m in the East to 1520 m in the West), weakly dissected with dry river beds (Wadi). In the West, parallel to the coast of the Red Sea, Mountain Hijaz stretches ( arab. "Barrier") and asira ( arab. "Hard") height of 2500-3000 m (with the highest point of the city of En-Nabi-Shuyb, 3353 m), turning into the coastal lowland of Tikhama (wide from 5 to 70 km). In the mountains of Asira, the relief is changing from mountain peaks to large valleys. Potals through Mountain Hijaz little; The message between the internal areas of Saudi Arabia and the shores of the Red Sea is limited. In the north, along the borders of Jordan, a rocky desert of El Hamad stretched out. In the northern and central part of the country, the largest sandy deserts are located: large oil and small oil (dehna), famous for its red sands; in the south and south-east - rub-el-khali ( arab. "Empty quarter") with vegans and ridges in the northern part up to 200 m. Through the deserts, undefined borders with Yemen, Oman and the United Arab Emirates are running. The total area of \u200b\u200bthe desert reaches approximately 1 million square meters. km, incl. Rub-El Hali - 777 thousand square meters. KM . Along the coast of the Persian Gulf, the lowlands of El Hass (width up to 150 km) stretches in places. Sea shores are predominantly low, sandy, weakly cut.
Climate.
In the north - subtropical, in the south - tropical, sharply continental, dry. Summer is very roast, winter warm. The average temperature of July in Er-Riyadh ranges from 26 ° C to 42 ° C, in January - from 8 ° C to 21 ° C, the absolute maximum of 48 ° C, in the south of the country to 54 ° C. In the winter mountains, there are sometimes minus temperatures in the winter and snow. The average annual precipitation rate of about 70-100 mm (in central areas the maximum in the spring, in the north - in winter, in the south - in the summer); in the mountains up to 400 mm in year. In the desert of Rub-El-Khali and some other areas in some years the rains do not fall out at all. For deserts are characteristic of seasonal winds. Hot and dry southern winds Samum and Hamsin in spring and early summer often cause sand storms, the winter northern wind Shemal brings coolness.
Water resources.
Almost all Saudi Arabia does not have permanent rivers or water sources, temporary streams are formed only after intensive rains. They are especially abundant in the east, in El Hase, where many springs, irrigating oases. Groundwater are often located close to the surface and under the vadi beds. The problem of water supply is carried out through the development of enterprises in the destruction of seawater, the creation of deep wells and artesian wells.
Soil.
Primitive desert soils prevail; In the north of the country, subtropical servers are developed, in the lowland eastern regions of Al-Hasa - Solonchaki and meadow-salt soils. Although the government carries out a program of landscaping, forests and a wooded area occupy less than 1% of the country. Luxury lands (2%) are mainly located in fertile oases north of rubles el-khali. A significant territory (56%) occupy land suitable for pasture animal husbandry (for 1993).
Natural resources.
The country has huge reserves of oil and natural gas. Proven reserves of crude oil reaches 261.7 billion barrels, or 35.6 billion tons (26% of all world stocks), natural gas - about 6.339 trillion. cube M. Total there are about 77 fields of oil and gas. The main oil-bearing area is located in the east of the country, in Al Hasse. The reserves of the world's largest oil field Ghavar are estimated at 70 billion barrels of oil. Other large deposits - Safania (proved reserves - 19 billion barrels of oil), Abkayk, Catiff. There are also reserves of iron ores, chromium, copper, lead, zinc, gold.
Vegetable world.
mostly desert and semi-deserted. On the sands in places white Saksaul, the crowd of a barb, on Hamadah - lichens, on lava fields - wormwood, Astragaly, vadules - single poplar, acacia, and in more saline places - Tamarisk; On coasts and salt marshes - halophyte shrubs. A significant part of sandy and stony deserts are almost completely devoid of vegetable cover. In the spring and in the wet years, the role of ephemers increases in the composition of vegetation. In the mountains of Asira - sections of Savannan, where acacia, wild olives, almonds grow. In oases - groves of dates, citrus, bananas, grain and garden crops.
Animal world
pretty diverse: Antelope, Gazelle, Daman, Wolf, Shakal, Hyena, Foxeeke, Caracal, Wild Donkey, ONGR, Hare. Many rodents (gerbils, gopters, tushkans, etc.) and reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles). Among the birds - eagles, crescents, vultures, falcons-Sapsans, Drops, Larks, Ryabki, Quail, Pigeons. Coastal lowlands serve as a focus of locust breeding. In the Red Sea and the Persian bay over 2000 types of corals (black coral is especially valued). About 3% of the country's area occupy 10 protected areas. In the mid-1980s, the government organized the Asis National Park, where such almost disappeared species of wild animals are preserved, as Oryx (sulfur) and the Nubian mountain goat.
POPULATION
Demography.
In 2003, 24,293 thousand people lived in Saudi Arabia, incl. 5576 thousand foreigners. Since the first census conducted in 1974, the population has increased 3 times. In 1990-1996, the average annual increase in the population was 3.4%, in 2000-2003 - 3.27%. In 2003, the fertility was 37.2 per 1000 people, mortality - 5.79. Life expectancy is 68 years. In the age of more than half of the inhabitants of the country under 20 years old. Women make up 45% of the population. According to UN forecasts, the population of 2025 should increase to 39,965 thousand people.
The composition of the population.
The overwhelming majority of the population of Saudi Arabia are Arabs (Saudi Arabs - 74.2%, Bedouins - 3.9%, the Arabs of the Persian Gulf - 3%), for the most part of the preserved tribal organization. The largest tribal associations - Anha and Shammar, tribes - Avazim, Avir, Ajman, Atyiba, Bali, Bate Yamani, Benia ATIA, Beni Murra, Benia Sahr, Beni Yas, Vakhiba, Davasir, Dakhm, Dzhanab, Juhain, Kakhtan, Manasir, Manakhil, Muahib, Mutayir, Subach, Suleiba, Shararat, Harb, Huvelite, Chutheim, and others. The Suleeb tribe, inhabiting the northern regions, is considered to be non-basic origin and consists of some data, from the descendants of the Crusaders captured and addressed to slavery. In total, there are more than 100 tribal associations and tribes.
In addition to ethnic Arabs, Saudi Arabs of mixed ethnic origin, having Turkish, Iranian, Indonesian, Indian, African roots live in the country. As a rule, these are descendants of pilgrims who were located in the region of Hijaz, or Africans imported into Arabia as slaves (before the abolition of slavery in 1962 there were up to 750 thousand slaves in the country). The latter live predominantly in the coastal areas of Tikhama and El Hasa, as well as in oases.
Foreign workers are approx. 22% of the population and consist of Nesaudov Arabs, immigrants from African and Asian countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines), as well as a minor number of Europeans and Americans. Arabs of foreign origin live in cities, in the area of \u200b\u200boilfields and areas, border with Yemen. Representatives of all other peoples are focused in large cities and in oil fields, where they form, as a rule, more than half of the total population.
Work force.
The number of 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 services employed in industry and services in recent years has steadily increases. 35% of economics employed in the economy are foreign workers (1999); Initially, the Arabs of neighboring countries prevailed among them, and over time, they were changed from South and Southeast Asia. Official information about the state of unemployment is absent. However, according to unofficial data, almost 1/3 of the economically active male population (women are practically not occupied in the economy) has no work (2002). In this regard, Saudi Arabia since 1996 implements a policy on limiting the hiring of foreign labor. Er-Riyadh developed a 5-year plan for the development of the economy, designed to stimulate the employment of citizens of Saudi Arabia. Companies (under the threat of penalties) are obliged to increase the employment of Saudi workers at least than 5% per year. At the same time since 1996, the government announced 24 profession closed for foreigners. Today, the most successfully replacing foreigners on the subjects of Saudi Arabia is mainly in the public sector, where in recent years the state has hired more than 700 thousand Saudi to work. In 2003 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Saudi Arabia published a new 10-year plan for reducing the number of foreign labor. According to this plan, the number of foreigners, including working immigrants and their families, should be reduced to 20% of the number of indigenous saudi. Thus, according to the forecasts of specialists, taking into account the growth of the population of the country, a foreign colony in a decade should be reduced by about twice.
Urbanization.
Until the early 1960s, most population was nomads and democrebers. Thanks to the rapid economic growth, the share of urban population increased from 23.6% (1970) to 80% (2003). In the late 1990s ok. 95% of the population switched to a settling lifestyle. Most of the population is concentrated in oases and cities. The average density of 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 off the coast of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, as well as around Er-Riyadh and north-east of him, where the main oilfield areas are located. The population of the capital, ER-Riyadh (since 1984, diplomatic missions are located), is 3627 thousand (all data for 2003), or 14% of the country's population (annual population growth in the city between 1974 and 1992 reached 8.2%), mainly These are Saudis, as well as citizens of other Arab, Asian and Western countries. The population of Jeddah, the main port of Hijaz and the most important business center of Saudi Arabia, is 2674 thousand people. Until 1984, diplomatic missions of foreign states were located here. In Hijaz, there are two sacred towns of Muslims - Mecca (1541 thousand) and Medina (818 thousand), and only to Muslim pilgrims available. In 1998, these cities visited OK. 1.13 million pilgrims, including OK. 1 million from various Muslim countries, as well as North and South America, Europe and Asia. Other major cities: Damman (675 thousand), Et-Taif (633 thousand), Tabuk (382 thousand). Their population consists of representatives of various Arab countries, including the Persian Gulf countries, Indians, as well as immigrants from North America and Europe. Bedouins preserving a nomadic lifestyle inhabit mainly the northern and eastern regions of the country. More than 60% of the entire territory (the desert of Rub-El Hali, Nephoda, Dakhna) does not have a permanent settlement population, even nomads do not penetrate into some areas.
Language.
The official language of Saudi Arabia is Standard Arabic, belonging to the West Semitic Group of the Afrazian Family. One of his dialects is a classic Arabic, in mind its archaic sound currently applied mainly in a religious context. The Arabian Dealer of Arabic (Amia) is used in everyday life, which is closest to the literary Arabic language, which developed from the classic language (El Fusha). Inside the Arabian dialect, the relatives of Hijaz, Asira, Neria and Al Hasa differ in the Arabian dialect. Although the differences between literary and spoken language are less noticeable here than in other Arab countries, the language of urban residents differs from dialects of nomads. Among the immigrants from other countries, English, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, Farsky, Somalia, Indonesian, and others are also common.
Religion.
Saudi Arabia is the center of the Islamic world. Official religion - Islam. According to different estimates, from 85% to 93.3% of Saudi are Sunnites; From 3.3% to 15% - Shiites. In the central part of the country, almost the entire population of Hanbalite-Wahhabis (more than half of all the Sunnists of the country). In the West and South-West, the Schvitsky sense of Sunnism prevails. Hanifits, Malikita, Hanibalite-Salafiya and Hanbadit-Wahhabis are also found here. Shiite-Ismailites and Zeydits live in a small number. A significant group of shiites (about a third of the population) lives in the east, in Al Hasse. Christians make up about 3% of the population (according to the American Conference of Catholic Bishops, St. 500 thousand Catholics lives in the country), all other confessions are 0.4% (for 1992, unofficially). Information about the number of atheists is absent.
State device
The first legal documents that enshrine the general principles of the State Device and the Office of the country were adopted in March 1992. According to The basics of the system of power, Saudi Arabia is an absolute theocratic monarchy controlled by sons and grandchildren of the founding king Abdel Aziz Ibn Abdel Rakhman Al-Faisala Al Saud. The Holy Quran serves as the Constitution of the country, which is managed on the basis of Islamic legislation (Sharia).
The highest authorities include the head of state and the Crown Prince; Council of Ministers; Advisory board; Supreme Council of Justice. However, the real structure of the monarchist power in Saudi Arabia is somewhat different from how it is represented in theory. To a large extent, the king's power relies on the Al Saud family, consisting of more than 5 thousand people and the component of the monarchical system in the country. The king rules, relying on the advice of leading representatives of the family, in particular their brothers. On the same basis, its relationship with religious leaders are being built. Such important for the stability of the kingdom is the support of noble families, such as As-Sudaire and Ibn Gili, as well as the Religious family of Al Ash-Sheikh, which is the side branch of the Sadidov dynasty. These families remain loyal Al Saud clan over the past two centuries.
Central executive power.
The head of state and the religious leader of the country (Imam) is the minister of the two sacred mosques, the king (Malik) Fahd Ben Abdel Aziz Al Saud (from June 13, 1982), at the same time being the prime minister, commander-in-chief armed forces and supreme judge. Since 1932, the country rules the Saudida dynasty. The head of state has all full executive, legislative and judicial power. Its powers are theoretically limited only by the norms of Sharia and Saudi traditions. The king is designed to support the unity of the royal family, religious leaders (ultrasound) and other elements of Saudi society.
The transduction mechanism is officially enshrined only in 1992. The heir to the throne is appointed with the king himself, followed by the approval of the ultrasters. In accordance with the tribal traditions in Saudi Arabia, there is no clear system of the Prepoligation. Power usually moves to the older in the genus most appropriate to perform the functions of the ruler. Since 1995, due to the monarch's disease, the actual head of the state is the Kronprints and First Deputy Prime Minister Abdalla Ben Abdel Aziz Al-Saud (Monarch's only brother, heir to the throne from June 13, 1982, Regent from January 1 to February 22, 1996). To ensure a conflictial change of power in the country, in early June 2000, the Royal Family Council was formed by the King of Fakhda and the Crown Prince Abdullah, which includes the 18 most influential direct descendants of the founder of the Arabian monarchy of Ibn Saud.
According to the Constitution, the king is headed by the government (in today there has existed since 1953) and determines the main directions of its activities. The Council of Ministers combines both executive and legislative functions. All of its decisions that should be compatible with Sharia standards are accepted by a majority of votes and are subject to final approval by the Royal Decree. The office consists of the Prime Minister, the first and second deputy premier, 20 ministers (including the Minister of Defense, which is the second deputy prime minister), as well as government ministers and advisers appointed as members of the Council of Ministers of the King Decree. At the head of the most important ministries, representatives of the royal family are usually worth. Ministers help the king to fulfill its powers in accordance with the Constitution and other laws. The king has the right at any time to dissolve or reorganize the Council of Ministers. Since 1993, the duration of each minister is limited to a four-year term. On August 2, 1995, the King of Fahd was produced by the most significant personnel changes in the ministerial office, which left 16 of the 20 ministers of the current government over the past decades.
Legislature.
There is no legislative body - the king manages the country through decrees. Since December 1993, the monarch has been operating at the Advisory Council (COP, Majlis Al-Shura), consisting of scientists, writers, businessmen, prominent members of the Royal Family and is the first Public Forum in the history of Saudi Arabia. The CS is designed to develop recommendations to the Government on the Socio-Economic Development of the country, to prepare conclusions on various legal acts and international agreements. At least 10 members of the Council have the right of legislative initiative. They can offer a new bill or additions and changes to current legislation and submit them to the Chairman of the Council. All decisions, reports and recommendations of the Council should be represented directly to the king and chairman of the Council of Ministers for consideration. If the points of view of two tips coincide, the decision is made with the consent of the king; If the points of view do not coincide, the king has the right to decide which option will be accepted.
According to Decree 1993, the Advisory Council consisted of 60 members and a chairman appointed by the king for a period of 4 years. In July 1997, the number of COP increased to 90 members, and in May 2001 - to 120. Chairman of the Council - Mohammed Ben Jubair (in 1997 retained a post for a second time). The composition of the Council has changed with the expansion, in 1997 three representatives from the Shiite minority were included in it; In 1999, women were allowed at the meetings of the COP. Recently, the importance of the Advisory Council is gradually enhanced. From moderate liberal opposition, calls are called general elections in the COP.
Judicial system.
The basis of the civil and judicial code is the provisions of Sharia. Thus, all the marriage, broken, property, hereditary, criminal and other affairs are governed by Islamic prescriptions. In 1993, several secular laws were also adopted. The country's judicial system consists of disciplinary and general courts that consider simple criminal and civil cases; Sharia or Cassation Court; and the Supreme Court, which checks and revises all the most serious affairs, and also controls the activities of other vessels. The basis of all vessels is the Islamic legislation. Chairs in the courts religious judges, Cadi. Members of religious courts are appointed by the king on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of Justice, consisting of 12 senior lawyers. The king is the highest appellate instance and has the right to make a pardon.
Local authorities.
In accordance with the Royal Decree 1993, Saudi Arabia was divided into 13 provinces (Emirates). Decree of 1994, the provinces were, in turn, were divided into 103 districts. Power in the provinces belongs to the governors (Emirs), appointed by the king. At the head of the most important cities, such as Er Riyadh, Mecca and Medina, are governors belonging to the royal family. Local cases are under the jurisdiction of the provinces, whose members are appointed by the king from representatives of the most noble families.
In 1975, the Kingdom's authorities issued a law on municipal elections, but the elected municipalities were not formed. In 2003, it was announced the intention to hold the first elections to the municipal authorities in the history of the Kingdom. The election will be half places in 14 regional councils, the second half will be appointed by Saudi government. Elections to the tips of the regions are considered as a step towards reforms, which in May 2003 stated the king of Fahd.
Human rights.
Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries that refused to recognize some articles of the International Human Rights Declaration, adopted by the UN in 1948. According to the estimates of the Freedom House human rights organization, Saudi Arabia refers to the number of nine countries with the worst regime in the field of political and civil rights. The most obvious human rights violations in Saudi Arabia include: poor handling of prisoners; prohibitions and restrictions on freedom of speech, press, assemblies and organizations, religion; Systematic discrimination against women, ethnic and religious minorities, as well as suppressing labor rights. The country remains the death penalty; Starting from the war in the zone of the Persian Gulf in 1991, in Saudi Arabia there is a steady increase in the number of executions. In addition to public executions, the arrests and conclusions of dissenters are widely practiced in the kingdom.
Political parties and movements.
Despite the prohibition of the activities of political parties and trade unions, there are a number of opposition regime of political, public and religious organizations of various orientation in the country.
The left opposition includes a few groups of nationalist and communist orientation, based mainly on foreign workers and national minorities, among them: Voice of Avangard, Communist Party of Saudi Arabia, Party of the Arab Socialist Renaissance, Green Party, Socialist Party of Labor, Socialist Front of Saudi Arabia, Union of the peoples of the Arabian Peninsula, the front of the liberation of the occupied zones of the Persian Gulf. In recent years, their activity has decreased noticeably, many groups broke up.
Liberal opposition is not organizationally decorated. It is represented mainly by businessmen, representatives of the intelligentsia, technocrats and advocated the expansion of the participation of various representatives of the Company in government, the accelerated modernization of the country, political and judicial reforms, the introduction of institutions of Western democracy, the reduction of the role of conservative religious circles and the improvement of the status of women. The number of supporters of the liberal opposition is small, but in recent years the royal regime seeking to preserve good relations with the West, is forced to listen more and more to her opinion.
The most radical opposition force are conservative and religious-fundamentalist Islamic circles of the Sunni and Shiite sense. The Islamist movement arose in the 1950s as a conglomerate of informal groups, but finally imposed only by the beginning of the 1990s. Among the Sunni opposition, three currents are distinguished: a moderate wing of traditionalist Wahhabism, the militant course of non-chubism and the liberal oriented course of supporters of Islamic reforms.
The traditionalists include many uglies, the elderly theologians, as well as the once powerful sheikh tribes. In the 1990s, traditionalists were represented by such organizations as "the group of imitation of the piousness of ancestors", the "Koran conservation group", "unobeds", "calling" and others.
Unwitting, according to many experts, rely on the unemployed youth, teachers and theater students, as well as former Mujahedov who fought in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bosnia and Chechnya. They sharply criticize the government for its actions during the war in the Persian Gulf, a foreign military presence in the country, modernization of the society in the Western sample and are protected by Islamic values. The special services suggest that the most militant circles of nonwashubism are associated with international terrorist organizations (Al-Qaida, Brothers-Muslims) and can stand for a number of attacks committed on foreigners in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Moderate Islamists are represented by the "Committee on the Protection of Legal Rights" (formed in May 1993) and the "Motion for Islamic reform in Arabia" (originated in March 1996 as a result of the split of the Committee). Both groups are valid mainly in the UK and in their statements combine radical Islamist rhetoric with the requirements of reforms in the political, social and economic sphere, the expansion of freedom of speech and assembly, contacts with the West countries, respect for human rights.
Shiite Islamists represent a religious minority of the Eastern province and advocate the abolition of all restrictions for shiites and freedom of departure of their religious rites. The most radical Shiite groups are considered to be "Saudi Hezbollah" (also known as "Hezbollah Hijaz", up to 1000 people) and "Islamic Jihad Hijaz". More moderate is the "Shiite movement for reforms", which emerged in the early 1990s on the basis of the Organization of the Islamic Revolution. Since 1991, it publishes Al-Jazee Al-Arabia in London and Arabien Monitor in Washington.
Foreign policy.
Saudi Arabia - UN member and League of Arab States (LAG) from 1945, from 1957 - a member of the IMF and IBRD, from 1960 - a member of the organization of countries - Oil exporters (OPEC). Since 1948 is in a state of war with Israel. Playing a significant and constructive role in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, in the Arab and Islamic Institutions of Financial Assistance and Development. One of the largest donors in the world, it assists a number of Arab, African and Asian countries. From 1970, Jedda is the headquarters of the Secretariat of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and its subsidiary organization - the Islamic Development Bank established in 1969.
Membership in OPEC and in the organization of Arab countries - oil exporters - facilitates the coordination of Saudi oil policies with other governments exporting oil. As a leading exporter of oil, Saudi Arabia is of particular interest in preserving a sustainable and long-term market for its oil resources. All its actions are aimed at stabilizing the global oil market and a decrease in sharp price jumps.
One of the basic principles of foreign policy of Saudi Arabia is Islamic solidarity. The Saudi government often helps in resolving regional crises and supports Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. As a member of the League of Arab States, Saudi Arabia appears for the conclusion of Israel's troops from the territories occupied in June 1967; Supports the peaceful decision of the Arab-Israeli conflict, but at the same time condemns the CAMP-David agreements, which, in their opinion, are not able to guarantee the right of Palestinians to create their own state and determine the status of Jerusalem. The last time plan of the Middle East peaceful settlement was proposed by the Crown Prince Abdullah in March 2002 at the annual summit of Lag. In accordance with him, Israel was asked to bring all his strength from the territories occupied after 1967, return Palestinian refugees and recognize the independent Palestinian state with the capital in East Jerusalem. In the exchange of Israel, it was guaranteed to recognize it by all Arab countries and the restoration of "normal relations". However, as a result of a position occupied by a number of Arab countries and Israel, the plan failed.
During the war in Persian Gulf (1990-1991), Saudi Arabia played a decisive role in creating a broad international coalition. The Government of Saudi Arabia ensured the coalition forces with water, food and fuel. In total, the costs of the country during the war amounted to $ 55 billion.
At the same time, the war in the Persian bay caused the deterioration of diplomatic relations with a number of Arab states. Only after the war were restored at the same level of relationship with Tunisia, Algeria and Libya, refused to condemn the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Extremely tense during the war and immediately after its end, the relations of Saudi Arabia with countries that expressed support for Iraq's invasion to Kuwait - Yemen, Jordan and Sudan. One of the manifestations of this policy was the expulsion from the Saudi Arabia over a million Yemen workers, which even more exacerbated the existing border conflict. The projrak position of the leadership of the organization of the liberation of Palestine (OOP) also led to the deterioration of its relations with Saudi Arabia and other countries of the Persian Gulf. The relations of Saudi Arabia with Jordan and Palestinian autonomy were normalized only in the late 1990s, at the same time the assistance of the Saudi government to the Palestinian authorities was resumed. In July 2002, the Saudi Kingdom transferred $ 46.2 million to the accounts of Palestinian autonomy. The Government of Saudi Arabia allocated as gratuitous assistance to the Palestinian National Administration (PNA) in October 2002. This payment was carried out under decisions. Summit Lag in Beirut (March 27-28, 2002).
Saudi Arabia has become one of the three countries established in 1997 diplomatic relations with the Afghan movement "Taliban", interrupted in 2001. Since the beginning of 21 c., Especially after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there were signs of cooling country relations with a number of Western countries caused by the accusations In promoting international Islamic terrorism.
The country has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation. For the first time installed from the USSR in 1926. The Soviet mission was recalled in 1938; In September 1990, an agreement was reached on the complete normalization of diplomatic relations between the USSR and Saudi Arabia; Embassy in Er-Riyadh has been operating since May 1991.
Territorial conflicts.
In 1987, the border demarcation was completed with Iraq in the former neutral zone. In 1996, a section of a neutral zone on the border with Kuwait was held. In early July 2000 Saudi Arabia and Kuwait agreed to demarcate the maritime border; The Kuwaiti ownership of Karuh and the island of Umm al-Maradim remains the object of the dispute. On June 12, 2000, a border agreement was concluded with Yemen, which established a part of the border between the two countries. However, most of the border with Yemen is still not defined. The border of Saudi Arabia with Qatar was finally established by agreements signed in June 1999 and in March 2001. The position and status of the border with the combined Arab Emirates was not specified; The current border of de facto reflects the 1974 Agreement. It also remains not a demarked border with Oman.
Armed forces.
Since the 1970s, Saudi Arabia spent huge funds to expand and modernize their armed forces. After the war in the Persian Gulf in 1991, the country's armed forces were even more increased and equipped with the latest weapons, most of which came from the United States. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Military Budget of Saudi Arabia in 2002 amounted to $ 18.7 billion, or 11% of GDP. Armed forces consist of ground forces, air-air and naval forces, air defense forces, the National Guard, the Ministry of the Inner Forces. The Supreme Commander-King, the direct leadership of the Armed Forces are carried out by the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff. All team positions occupy members of the ruling family. The total number of regular armed forces is about 126.5 thousand people. (2001). Ground troops (75 thousand people) have 9 armored, 5 mechanized, 1 airborne brigade, 1 regiment of the Royal Guard, 8 artillery divisions. In service 1055 tanks, 3105 BTR, St. 1000 units of artillery and rocket installations. Air Force (20 thousand people) have in service with St. 430 combat aircraft and approx. 100 helicopters. Air defense (16 thousand people) include 33 rocket divisions. Navy (15.5 thousand people) consist of two flotillas, they are in service ok. 100 combat and auxiliary ships. The main naval bases - Jeddah and El Jubaile. In the mid-1950s, the National Guard (about 77 thousand, incl. 20 thousand, is also created from breeding militias (about 77 thousand, incl. 20 thousand, which, according to Western specialists, significantly exceeds regular forces on The level of preparation and armediation. Its task is to ensure the safety of the ruling dynasty, the protection of oilmiths, airfields, ports, as well as the suppression of anti-government speeches. In addition to regular armed forces, there is also a border guard building (10.5 thousand) and coastal troops (4.5 thousand). The recruitment of the armed forces is carried out on the principle of voluntary hiring.
ECONOMY
Currently, the foundation of the economy of Saudi Arabia is free private entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, the Government monitors the main areas of economic activity. Saudi Arabia has the largest oil reserves in the world, is considered the largest oil exporter and plays a leading role in OPEC. The proven reserves of crude oil are 261.7 billion barrels, or 35 billion tons (26% of all reserves), and natural gas - about 6.339 trillion. cube m. (for January 2002). Oil brings the country to 90% of export revenues, 75% of government revenues and 35-45% of GDP. Approximately 25% of GDP comes from the private sector. In 1992, the GDP of Saudi Arabia was equivalent to $ 112.98 billion, or 6042 dollars per capita. In 1997, GDP amounted to $ 146.25 billion, or 7792 dollars per capita; in 1999 to 191 billion dollars, or 9 thousand dollars per person; In 2001 - up to $ 241 billion, or 8460 dollars per person. However, real economic growth is lagging behind the increase in the number of residents, which leads to unemployment and reduce income per capita. The share of the sectors of the economy not related to the extraction and processing of oil in GDP increased from 46% in 1970 to 67% in 1992 (in 1996 it decreased to 65%).
In 1999, the government announced plans to begin the privatization of electrical companies, which will follow the privatization of telecommunications companies. To reduce the dependence of the kingdom from oil and increase the employment of the rapidly growing Saudi population, in recent years the private sector has been rapidly developing. The main priorities of the Government of Saudi Arabia in the near future is the allocation of additional funds for the development of water infrastructure and education, since the lack of water and the rapid increase in the population do not allow the country to fully provide themselves to agricultural products.
Oil industry and its role.
The largest holder of oil concessions and the main oil producer is "Arabien Amerikhen Oil Company" (Aramko). Since the beginning of the 1970s, it is under the control of the Government of Saudi Arabia, and before that, the entire consortium has belonged to the consortium. The company received a concession in 1933 and began exporting oil in 1938. The Second World War interrupted the development of the oil industry, which resumed in 1943, with the beginning of the construction of an oil refinery in the oil port of Ras Tananur. Oil production gradually increased from 2.7 thousand tons / day to 1944 to 33.5 thousand tons / day in 1947 and 68.1 thousand tons / day in 1949. By 1977, the daily oil mining in Saudi Arabia increased to 1, 25 million tons and remained high during the 1980s, until it began to decline as a result of a decrease in oil demand in the global market. In 1992, OK was mined. 1.15 million tons / day, with 97% of production accounted for Aramko. Oil production is carried out by other, smaller companies, such as the Japanese "Arabien Oil Company", acting in coastal waters near the border with Kuwait, and "Ghetty Oil Company", leading prey on land in the area of \u200b\u200bthe border with Kuwait. In 1996, Saudi Arabia quota, defined OPEC, was approx. 1.17 million tons per day. In 2001, the average production volume was 8.6 billion barrels / day (460 billion tons / year). In addition, it uses reserves in the so-called "neutral zone" on the border with Kuwait, which give it even additionally up to 600 thousand barrels of oil per day. The largest oil deposits are located in the eastern part of the country, on the coast of the Persian Gulf or the shelf.
Major oil refineries: Aramko - Ras Tanura (capacity of 300 thousand barrels / day), Rabig (325 thousand barrels / day), Yanbu (190 thousand barrels / day), Riyad (140 thousand barrels / day), Jedda ( 42 thousand barrels / day), Aramko-Mobile - Yanbu (332 thousand barrels / day), Petromin / Shell - Al-Jubail (292 thousand barrels / day), Arabian Oil Company - Ras Al-Hafjji (30 thousand . barrels / day).
The most important factor in the development of the oil industry are close and mutually beneficial relations that have developed between Aramko and Saudi Arabia. Arabic's activities contributed to the influx of qualified personnel and the creation of new jobs for Saudis.
Significant changes in relations between oil companies and the Government of Saudi Arabia began in 1972. In accordance with the signed parties by the agreement, the government received 25% of the property of Arabic. It was found that the share of Saudi Arabia will gradually increase to 51% by 1982. However, in 1974 the government accelerated this process and acquired 60% of Arabic shares. In 1976, oil companies gave a promise to transfer all the property of Aramko Saudi Arabia. In 1980, the property of Aramko moved to the Government of Saudi Arabia. In 1984, a citizen of Saudi Arabia first became president of the company. Since 1980, the Government of Saudi Arabia began to determine the prices of oil and its production, and oil companies received the rights to develop oil depositors as government subcontractors.
The increase in oil production was accompanied by a significant increase in income from its sale, especially after a fourfold leap of oil prices in 1973-1974, which led to a gigantic growth of government revenues, which increased from $ 334 million in 1960 to $ 2.7 billion. 1972, $ 30 billion in 1974, $ 33.5 billion in 1976 and $ 102 billion in 1981. In the future, the demand for oil in the global market began to decline, and by 1989 the income of Saudi Arabia from oil exports fell to $ 24 billion crisis, which began after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, again raised world oil prices; Accordingly, the income of Saudi Arabia from oil exports increased in 1991 to almost 43.5 billion dollars. in 1998, as a result of a sharp drop in world oil prices at the beginning of the year, the income of Saudi Arabia from oil exports amounted to $ 43.7 billion
Industry.
The share of industry in the country's GDP is 47% (1998). The growth of industrial production in 1997 was 1%. In the past, the Industry of Saudi Arabia was developed weakly, especially industries that are not related to the extraction and processing of oil. In 1962, the Government General Organization of Oil and Mineral Resources (Petromin) was created, whose task is to develop the oil and mining industry, as well as the creation of new oil, mining and metallurgical enterprises. In 1975, the Ministry of Industry and Energy was formed, to which the responsibility for Petrogen enterprises, not related to the extraction and processing of oil. The largest Petrogen projects became the Steel Plant in Jedda, built in 1968, and oil refineries in Jeddah and Er-Riyadh, built in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Petromin also provided 51% of the funds for the construction of a nitrogen fertilizer plant in the Damma, completed in 1970.
In 1976, the Government Corporation of the Heavy Industry of Saudi Arabia (Sabik) was created - a holding company with an initial capital of $ 2.66 billion. By 1994, Sabik belonged to 15 large enterprises in El Jubilee, Yanbe and Jedda, which produced chemicals, plastics, industrial gas , Steel and other metals. In Saudi Arabia, the food and glass industry, handicraft manufacturing and building materials industry, in particular cement, are well developed in Saudi Arabia. In 1996, the volume of industrial production was approx. 55% of GDP.
Back in the first thousand BC. Residents of Arabian P-Oov mined gold, silver and copper at fields located approximately 290 km north-east of Jeddah. Currently, these deposits are being developed again, and in 1992 OK was mined here. 5 tons of gold.
Electricity production in Saudi Arabia increased from 344 SVT in 1970 to 17049 MW in 1992. To date, electrified approx. 6000 cities and rural settlements throughout the country. In 1998, electricity generation was 19,753 MW, while over the next two decades the annual increase in electricity needs are expected, equal to 4.5%. They will need to increase the production of electricity to approximately 59,000 MW.
Agriculture.
The share of agriculture in the country's GDP increased from 1.3% in 1970 to more than 6.4% in 1993 and 6% in 1998. During this period, the production of basic foods has increased from 1.79 million tons to 7 million tons. Saudi Arabia is completely devoid of constant watercourses. Earths suitable for processing occupy 7 million hectares, or less than 2% of its territory. Despite the fact that the average annual precipitation is only 100 mm, the agriculture of Saudi Arabia, using modern technologies and techniques, is a dynamically developing industry. The area of \u200b\u200bthe treated lands increased from 161.8 thousand hectares in 1976 to 3 million hectares in 1993, and Saudi Arabia turned from the country that had imported most of the food in food exporter. In 1992, agricultural products were in monetary terms $ 5.06 billion, while the export of wheat, dates, dairy products, eggs, fish, birds, vegetables and colors brought income to $ 533 million. Share of the agricultural sector in GDP with 1985 to 1995 increased by 6.0% per year. Barley, corn, millet, coffee, alfalfa and rice are also grown in the country. An important branch is animal husbandry represented by breeding camels, sheep, goats, donkeys and horses.
Long-term hydrological studies started in 1965 made it possible to detect significant water resources suitable for agricultural use. In addition to deep wells throughout the country, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management Saudi Arabia uses more than 200 reservoirs with a total of 450 million cubic meters. The country is the world's largest manufacturer of desalinated water. In the middle of the 1990s, 2.2 billion liters of seawater dismissed daily, satisfying the population needs in drinking water in this way.
Only an agricultural project in El Hase, completed in 1977, allowed to irrigate 12 thousand hectares and to provide 50 thousand people. Other major irrigation projects include the Vadi-Jizan project on the Red Sea coast (8 thousand hectares) and the Abha project in the mountains of Asira, in the south-west. In 1998, the government announced a new agricultural development project worth $ 294 million. The budget of the Ministry of Agriculture increased from $ 395 million in 1997 to $ 443 million in 1998.
Transport.
Until the 1950s, the transportation of goods inside Saudi Arabia was carried out mainly by camel caravans. Built in 1908, the Hijaz railway (1300 km, incl. 740 km in Hijazu) did not function since the First World War. For the transport of pilgrims, an auto utility on the tract was used (in Iraq) - Khail - Medina.
The beginning of oil production has fully changed the country's economy and ensured its rapid growth. The impetus for rapid development was the creation of a network of roads, ports and communications. In the 1970s -1990-e, an extensive road network was created, which was borne by extensive arid areas located in remote parts of the country. The largest motorway intersects the Arabian Peninsula from the Damma on the banks of the Persian Gulf through Er-Riyad and Mecca to Jeddah on the shores of the Red Sea. In 1986, the construction of a 24-kilometer highway, laid by the Dam, who connected Saudi Arabia and Bahrain was completed. As a result of large-scale construction, the length of roads with a solid coating increased from 1600 km in 1960 to more than 4,104 km of highway roads and 102,420 km of dirt roads in 1997.
Railway network has significantly expanded. There is one railway connecting ER-Riyad through an oasis huofuf with a port of Dammam on the Persian Gulf (571 km); all R. The 1980s railway was extended to El-Jubil's industrial center, located north of the Damma; In 1972, a branch was built from the main highway to El Harju (35.5 km). The total length of railways is 1392 km (2002).
The country has created an extensive network of pipelines: the length of pipelines of crude oil is 6400 km., Petroleum products - 150 km., Gas pipelines - 2,200 km (including liquid natural gas - 1600 km). A large translate oil pipeline connects the oilfields of the Persian Gulf with ports in the Red Sea. The main ports in the Persian Gulf: Ras Tanners, Damma, El Hubar and Mina Saud; On the Red Sea: Jeddah (through it there is a majority of imports and the main stream of pilgrims in Mecca and Medina), Jizan and Yanbu.
Foreign trade transportation is carried out mainly by sea. The Saudi National Company of Maritime Transportation has 21 vessel for transportation of petroleum products. In total, the sea shopping fleet has 71 vessel with a carrying capacity of 1.53 million tons (including a number of vessels floating under foreign flags).
There are three international (in Er-Riyadh, Jedde and Dakhran) and 206 regional and local airports and aircraft sites, as well as five helicopter stations (2002). Aviation Park - 113 transport and passenger aircraft. The air lines of Saudi-Arabien Erines are associated with Er-Riyadh with the capitals of the Middle and Middle East.
The state budget.
The budget of Saudi Arabia in 1993-1994 was $ 46.7 billion, in 1992-1993 - $ 52.5 billion, and in 1983-1984 - $ 69.3 billion. Similar fluctuations were due to falling income from exports. Oil providing 80% of all state revenues. Nevertheless, in 1994 fiscal year, $ 11.5 billion was allocated for construction and repair programs and $ 7.56 billion - on the development of higher education, universities, the development of industry and other development projects, such as improving saline Soils and electrification. In 2003, the revenue part of the budget of Saudi Arabia was $ 46 billion, and the expenditure was $ 56.5 billion, in 2000, the revenue part of the budget is $ 41.9 billion, expendable - $ 49.4 billion, 1997 Profit part of the budget - $ 43 billion, and expenditure - $ 48 billion, budget deficit amounted to $ 5 billion. Expenditures in the 1998 budget are scheduled at 47 billion dollars, and incomes - $ 52 billion only Since the end of 1999, rapidly increased oil prices allowed the country to receive a surplus in the budget ($ 12 billion in 2000). The country's foreign debt has decreased from $ 28 billion (1998) to $ 25.9 billion (2003).
Starting from 1970, five-year development plans are accepted. The fifth five-year plan (1990-1995) was aimed at strengthening the private sector, the development of education, health and social security; They also envisaged an increase in defense expenditures. The sixth five-year development plan (1995-1999) envisaged the continuation of the economic policy of the previous period. The focus has been focused on the development of economic activity in the sectors of the economy, not related to the oil industry, primarily in the private sector, with a special focus on industry and agriculture. The seventh five-year plan (1999-2003) is concentrated on economic diversification and strengthening the role of the private sector in the Saudi economy. During 2000-2004, the Saudi government intends to achieve average annual GNP growth by 3.16%, with an estimated increase in 5.04% in the private sector and 4.01% in sectors not related to oil production. The government also put the goal of creating 817,300 new vacancies for Saudi Cases.
External economic ties
Saudi Arabia reflects its role of the world's leading oil exporter. Most of the profits from foreign trade were invested abroad and went to the rescue to foreign countries, in particular Egypt, Jordan and other Arab countries. Even after the fall in oil prices in the middle and late 1980s, the country has retained a positive foreign trade balance: if imports in 1991 amounted to $ 29.6 billion, and exports - $ 48.5 billion, then in 2001 these indicators increased to 39.5 and 71 billion dollars, respectively. A positive trade balance eventually increased from 18.9 billion dollars. (1991) to $ 31.5 billion (2001).
The main articles of imports of Saudi Arabia are industrial equipment, vehicles, weapons, food, building materials, scientific equipment, chemical products, fabric and clothing. The main flow of import comes from the United States (16.6%), Japan (10.4%), Great Britain (6.1%), Germany (7.4%), France (5%), Italy (4%) (on 2001). The government promised to make appropriate changes in trade, investment and tax legislation as preparation for joining the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The main article of exports - oil and petroleum products (90%). In 2001, the main exporting countries were: Japan (15.8%), USA (18.5%), South Korea (10.3%), Singapore (5.4%), India (3.5%). Oil providing basic export revenues is supplied to the United States, Japan and Western Europe. In connection with the growth of industrial production, Saudi Arabia began to export petrochemical products, consumer goods and food. In 1997, the country's foreign exchange reserves amounted to $ 7.57 billion.
Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest economic donors: in 1993 it provided $ 100 million to restore Lebanon; Since 1993, 208 million dollars were transferred to the Palestinians.
Monetary system.
From 1928: 1 Speed \u200b\u200b\u003d 10 ryariam \u003d 110 kerms, from 1952: 1 diminished \u003d 40 ryariam \u003d 440 kerms, from 1960: 1 Saudi Riyal \u003d 100 halals. The functions of the Central Bank performs the Currency Agency of Saudi Arabia.
Society and culture
Religion.
Religion always played a dominant role in Saudi society and still defines the lifestyle of the majority of the population. Most of the residents of Saudi Arabia, including the ruling house of Saddov, belongs to the followers of Wahhabism - one of the currents in Islam, who received its name by the name of living in 18 V. Reformer Mohammed Ibn Abd al-Wahhab. They call themselves muvachhids, "martals", or simply Muslims. Wahhabism is a ascetic, Puritan current within the framework of the most strict in Sunni Islam of the Hanbalist Religious Legal School (Mazhab), in which special attention is paid to the strict performance of Islam's prescriptions. Wahhabites are the custodians of sacred places, under their control, pilgrimage to Mecca takes place. In Saudi Arabia there are also followers of other currents of Sunni Islam - in Asher, Hijaz and East Arabia. In El Hash, in the east of the country, there is a significant number of shiites (15%). The Constitution of Saudi Arabia contains a categorical prescription to the citizens of the country to confess Islam. Nemusulman religions are allowed only among foreign workers. There are strictly prohibited by any public manifestations of belonging to non-Muslim religion (native crosses, the Bible, etc.), the sale of goods with non-loft symbolism, as well as public services. Persons shown in "illegal practice" of their religion may be subjected to a trial or expulsion from the country. The entire social and cultural life of the country is regulated by the Muslim lunar calendar (Lunar Hijra), such events like pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj), monthly post (Ramadan), a holiday of talking (ID al-Fitr), a feast of sacrifice (ID al-Adha).
At the head of the religious community, the Council of the Ulemov, which treats Muslim laws. Each city has community moral committees who follow the execution of rules of behavior. At the beginning of the 20th century The Council of Uleomov opposed the appearance of a telephone, radio and car in Saudi Arabia on the grounds that such innovations contradict Shariat. Nevertheless, the changed conditions, in particular, the growth of welfare and the appearance of Western techniques in Saudi Arabia, led to a compromise between the requirements of modern life and the limitations of Sharia. Over time, the problem was solved. This was decorated decree of the Council of Uleoms (Festiva), who announced that Western innovations, ranging from aircraft and television and ending with commercial legislation, do not contradict Islam. However, most of the strict Wahhabi rules continue to operate, for example, to all women, Arabic or European, is forbidden to communicate with men in public places and driving a car.
Lifestyle.
Arabs-nomads, inhabiting desert areas, wound between pastures and oases in search of feed and water. Their traditional housing is tents, woven from black sheep and goat wool. For sedentary Arabs, the housing is characterized by brick dried on the sun, whitewashed or stained with ocher. Slums, previously prevalent, have now become a rarity due to the state housing policy.
The main foods of the Arabs are lamb, lamb, chickens and game, seasoned with rice and raisins. Common dishes include soups and stewed meat, cooked with onions and lentils. There is a lot of fruits, especially dates and figs, as well as nuts and vegetables. A popular drink is coffee. Camel, sheep and goat milk are used. For cooking, sheep milk oil is usually used (Dakhn).
The position of women.
Male played in Saudi society. A woman cannot appear in a public place without a bedspread on the face and capes that cover her body from head to feet. Even in his house, she may not cover the face just before men from his family. Women's ("Forbidden") Half of the house, Harim (hence the word "harem") is separated from the part where guests are accepted. Bedouins women are usually more free; They can appear in society without bedspreads on the face and talk with outsiders, however, they occupy a separate tent or part of the family tent. Marriage is considered a civil contract and is accompanied by a financial agreement between spouses, which must be registered in a religious court. And although romantic love is the eternal theme of the Arab, especially Bedouin, poetry, marriages, as a rule, are organized without the participation or consent of the bride and groom. The main responsibility of his wife is to care for husband and satisfaction of his needs, as well as raising children. As a rule, marriages are monogamous, although the man is allowed to have up to four wives. Only the most wealthy citizens can afford to use this privilege, but even in this case, preference is given to one, not a few wives. The husband can contact the judge (Cadi) at any time with the requirement of divorce, and the only limitations for him are the marriage contract and relationships between interested families. A woman can refer to the Cadi demanding the divorce only in those cases if there are foundations for this, for example, a bad handicap from husband and scarce content, or sexual neglect.
Health.
The country has a free health system. Thanks to high health expenditures (over 8% of the budget), medical care in the kingdom has reached a very high level in recent decades. It applies to almost the entire population of the country - from the inhabitants of large cities to the kingdom of the Bedound tribes in the desert. In 2003, the fertility was 37.2, mortality - 5.79 per 1 thousand people; Child mortality - 47 per 1 thousand newborns. The average life expectancy is 68 years old. Immunization of babies and young children is required. Creating an epidemic control system in 1986 made it possible to eliminate diseases such as cholera, plague and yellow fever. Healthcare structure mixed. In 1990-1991, 163 hospitals operated in the country (25,835 beds) subordinate to the Ministry of Health. About 1/3 of therapeutic institutions related to other ministries and departments (3785 beds). In addition, there were 64 private hospitals (6479 beds). 12,959 doctors worked (one doctor accounted for 544 patients) and 29,124 people of medium medical personnel.
Education.
Education is free and open to all citizens, although not mandatory. In 1926, a law on compulsory primary training and the establishment of secular public schools was adopted. In 1954, the Ministry of Education was created, which began to implement educational programs, the focus on which was paid to primary education and vocational training, as well as religious education. In the late 1950s, these programs were covered by secondary and higher education. In 1960, a law on compulsory teaching girls was adopted, women's pedagogical schools were opened, in 1964 a law was adopted on the opening of higher educational institutions for girls.
Oducation costs over the years have held second place in the budget, and in 1992 this article even advanced to the first place. In 1995, government spending on education was $ 12 billion, or 12% of all expenses. In 1994, the education system included 7 universities, 83 institutes and 18 thousand schools, in 1996 - 21 thousand schools (290 thousand teachers). In the 1996/1997 academic year, OK studied in schools of all steps. 3.8 million children. The age of admission to school is 6 years. Primary school 6-year-old, secondary school consists of two steps: an incomplete secondary school (3 years) and a full average (3 years). Training boys and girls separate. In the early 1990s, the girls made up 44% of 3 million students of primary and secondary schools and 46% of the total students of universities. Leads education for girls Special Supervisory Board, also supervising educational programs for adult women. Students are provided by textbooks and medical care. There is special management engaged in schools for sick children. In accordance with the fifth 5-year-old development plan, the development of technical education and vocational training in areas such as medicine, agriculture, enlightenment, etc. was allocated $ 1.6 billion.
There are 16 universities in the country, 7 universities. Universities are managed by the Ministry of Higher Education. These include the University of Islamic Studies in Medina (OSN. In 1961), the University of Oil and Mineral Resources. King Fahd in Dahran, University. King Abd Al-Aziza in Jeddah (Osn. In 1967), University. King Faisal (having separations in Dammama and El Hufufe) (Osn. In 1975), University of Islamic. Imam Mohammed Ibn Sauda in Er-Riyadh (Osn. In 1950, University status since 1974), University of Umm El-Kura in Mecca (Osn. In 1979) and University. King Saud in Er-Riyadh (Osn. In 1957). The number of universities students in 1996 was 143,787 people, a teaching staff - 9490 people. About 30 thousand students are trained abroad.
Thanks to state educational programs, the authorities managed to significantly reduce the level of illiteracy among the population. If in 1972 the number of illiterates reached 80% of the population, then by 2003 it was 21.2% (men - 15.3%, women - 29.2%).
The largest libraries.
National Library (Osn. In 1968), Library of Saud, University Library in Er-Riyadh, Library Mahmudia, Library Arif Hikmat and University Library in Medina.
Culture.
Religion permeates the whole society: it forms and defines the cultural and artistic life of the country. In the historical plan, Saudi Arabia was not subjected to foreign cultural influence, which other Arab states experienced. There are no literary traditions comparable to the traditions of the Arab countries of the Mediterranean. Perhaps the only famous Saudi writers are historians of the late 19th century, from which Ottoman Ibn Bishra can be considered the most famous. The lack of literary traditions in Saudi Arabia is partly compensated by deep roots by traditions in the field of oral prose and poetry, originating from associates from associates. Music is not a traditional form of art in Saudi Arabia. Its development in recent decades as a means of artistic expression has been negated by the ban, introduced by the Council of the Urals on its fulfillment in pleasure purposes. Performers of folk music and songs are a bit, and all of them are men. Among the most famous music performers, the first pop star of Saudi Arabia Abda Majida-Abdallah and Virtuo Arab Lute (UD) Abadi Al-Johara can be noted. Egyptian pop music also enjoys popular in the country. The same tough ban is entered into the image of human individuals and figures in painting and sculpture, although it does not concern the photo. Artistic searches are limited to the creation of architectural ornaments, such as friezes and mosaics, including traditional forms of Islamic art.
Wahhabism does not approve the construction of exquisitely decorated with mosques, so that modern religious architecture is inexpressive, unlike ancient, aesthetically more interesting (for example, Kaab's sanctuary in Mecca). The most significant religious architectural work of recent years, apparently, is the restoration and decoration of the mosque at the site of the burial of the prophet in Medina, as well as a significant expansion and update of a big mosque in Mecca. The severity of religious architecture is compensated by the flourishing of civil architecture. In cities on a large scale there are construction of palaces, public buildings and private houses; Most of them are harmoniously combined modern ideas and traditional design.
There are no theaters and public cinemas in the country, spectacles and views are prohibited.
Print, broadcasting, television, internet.
The activities of Saudi media are the most regulated in the whole Arab world. They are not allowed to criticize the government and the royal family, as well as questioning religious establishments. Only from 2002-2003 there were signs of liberalization of state policy regarding the media. The pressures and television began to be covered with themes previously considered forbidden. Newspapers in Saudi Arabia can only be established by the Royal Decree. 10 daily newspapers and several dozen magazines are published (2003). In Arabic: Al-Bilyad, from 1934, circulation of 30 thousand copies; Al-Jazeera; "An-Navva", from 1958, 35 thousand copies; Al-Medina Al-Moonavar, from 1937, 55 thousand copies; "ER Riyadh", from 1964, 140 thousand copies; "Arab News". Government Information Agency - Saudi Printing Agency (SPA), founded in 1970.
Radio broadcasting is conducted from 1948, there are 76 radio stations (1998), controlled by the state and broadcast reports of news, speeches of speakers, sermons, educational and religious programs. From 2002 from Europe also contains broadcasting the opposition radio station "Voice of Reforms" belonging to the "Movement for Islamic reforms in Arabia".
Television has existed since 1965, there are 3 television networks and 117 television stations (1997). All television and broadcasting is carried out by the State Broadcasting Service of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The chairman of the supervision of radio and television is the Minister of Culture and Information.
The cell phone network has existed since 1981; The Internet has since the late 1990s, there are 22 Internet service providers (2003), 1453 thousand users are registered (2002). According to unofficial data, 2/3 of Internet users are women. The government is carried out censorship, protection systems that block access to websites that are considered offensive from the point of view of Islamic morality are applied. In total, access to several thousand websites is blocked.
HISTORY
The territory of the Arabian Peninsula from ancient times (2 thousand BC) inhabited nomadic Arab tribes, called al-Arab (Arabs). In 1 thousand BC. In different parts of the peninsula, the ancient and Minema (up to 650 BC), Sabeyski (approx. 750-115 BC), Himjaritsky kingdoms (approx. 25 BC - 577 N.E. .). In 6-2 centuries. BC. In the north of Arabia, slave-owned states arise (the Nabatoy kingdom, which became 106 AD Roman province, etc.). The development of caravan trade between South Arabia and the states of the Mediterranean coast contributed to the development of such centers such as Mankoraba (Mecca) and Yasrib (Medina). In 2-5 centuries. In the peninsula, Judaism and Christianity are distributed. On the coast of the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, as well as in Hijaz, Nazhran and Yemen, religious communities of Christians and Jews arise. At the end of the 5th century. AD In Nuzhda, the Union of Arab tribes led by the Kinda tribe was formed. In the future, its influence has spread to a number of neighboring regions, including Hadramaut and the eastern regions of Arabia. After the collapse of the Union (529 AD), Mecca became the most important political center of Arabia, where in 570 AD. The Prophet Mohammed was born. During this period, the country became the object of struggle between Ethiopian and Persian dynasties. All R. 6 c. Arabs led by the Kureshit tribe managed to reflect the attack of Ethiopian rulers who tried to capture Mecca. In 7th century AD In the western part of the Arabian Peninsula, a new religion arose - Islam, and the first Muslim theocratic state was formed - Arab Caliphate with the capital in Medina. Under the guidance of caliphs at the end of the 7th century. Conquering wars outside the Arabian Peninsula are deployed. The movement of the capital of caliphades from Medina first to Damascus (661), and then to Baghdad (749) led to the fact that Arabia became the outskirts of a huge state. In 7-8 centuries. Most of the territory of modern Saudi Arabia was part of the Omeyad Caliphate, in 8-9 centuries. - Abbasides. With the fall of the Abbasid Caliphate in the territory of the Arabian Peninsula, many small independent public entrances arose. Hijaz, who retained the meaning of the Islam religious center, at the end of 10-12 centuries. It remained in vassal dependence on the Fatimids, in 12-13 centuries. - Ayubid, and then - Mamlukov (from 1425). In 1517, West Arabia, including Hijaz and Asira, were subordinated to the Ottoman Empire. All R. 16th century The power of Turkish sultans spread to Al Hasu, the area on the Persian Gulf coast. From now on, until the end of the First World War, Western and Eastern Arabia included (with interruptions) in the Ottoman Empire. Elderly, the population of which was a Bedouin and farmers of oases were significantly greater independence. The whole area was a huge number of small feudal state entities with independent rulers in almost every village and the city that were constantly engaged in each other.
The first Saudi state.
The roots of the state-owned device of modern Saudi Arabia lie in the Religious Reformed Motion of the mid-18th century, called Wahhabism. It was founded by Mohammed Ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703-1792) and supported by Mohammed Ibn Saud (years of government 1726 / 27-1765), the leader of the Anise tribe, inhabited by the Ed-Diyary region in the central non-ordinary. By the mid 1780s, Saddi was established throughout the territory. They managed to unite part of the tribes of Central and Eastern Arabia into a religious and political confederation, the purpose of which was the spread of the Wahhabi doctrine and the authorities of non-village emirs on the territory of the entire Arabian Peninsula. After the death of Al-Wahhab (1792), the son of Ibn Sauda, \u200b\u200bEmir Abdel Aziz Ibn Mohammed Al-Saud (1765-1803), took the title of Imam, which meant the union in his hands as secular and spiritual power in his hands. Based on the Union of Wahhabi tribes, he raised the banner of the "Sacred War", requiring the recognition of the Wahhabi teaching and joint performance against the Ottoman Empire from neighboring sheinches and the Sultanites. To form a numerous army (up to 100 thousand people), Abdel Aziz in 1786 began to conquer neighboring lands. In 1793, Wahhabis seized Al Hasa, the assault was mastered by El Catiff, where they finally strengthened to 1795. Attempt to the Ottoman Empire to restore its power over El Hasoy (1798). Simultaneously with the struggle of the Persian Gulf Vakhhabi, the offensive was launched on the coast of the Red Sea, making raids on the outskirts of Hijaz and Yemen and capturing the oasis arranged along the borders. By 1803, almost the entire coast of the Persian Gulf and the island adjacent to him (including Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and most of Oman and Muscat) were subordinate to Wahhabi. In the south, Asyr (1802) and Abu-Arish (1803) were conquered. In 1801, Abdel Aziz Army invaded Iraq and ruined the sacred city of Shiites Kerbel. Killing over 4 thousand citizens and taking treasures, they retreated back to the desert. The expedition sent after them to Arabia was divided. Attacks on the city of Mesopotamia and Syria continued until 1812, but outside the Arabian Peninsula, Al-Wahhab did not find support among the local population. The ruin of cities in Iraq restored the entire Shiite community against Wahhabites. In 1803, as a sign of reassembly, Shrinn Kerbel Abdel Aziz was killed by Shiite directly in the Mosque of Ed Deeries. But even with his heir, Emire Safe I Ibn Abdel Aziz (1803-1814), Wahhabi expansion continued with a new force. In April 1803 Wahhabis was taken by Mecca, a year later, Medina, and 1806 was subordinate to the whole hijaz.
From the end of the 18th century The frequent Wahhabi raids began to disturb the rulers of the Ottoman Empire. With the capture of Wahhabi Hijaz, the power of Saddov spread to the sacred cities of Islam - Mecca and Medina. Almost all the territory of the Arabian Peninsula was included in the Wahhabi State. Saud got the title "Hadim-Al-Haramain" ("servant of sacred cities"), which gave him the opportunity to apply for the primacy in the Muslim world. The loss of Hijaz was a serious blow to the prestige of the Ottoman Empire, representatives of the clergy of which were proclaimed "feltwa", the official religious edict, putting the followers of al-Wahhab outside the law. The army of the Egyptian ruler (Vali) of Mohammed Ali was sent to suppressing Wahhabites. However, in December 1811, the Egyptian army was completely crushed. Despite the first defeat and desperate resistance of Wahhabis, the Egyptians in November 1812 took Medina, and in January next year - Mecca, Taif and Jedda. They restored the annual pilgrimage to holy places forbidden by Wahhabis, and returned to Hischants control over Hijaz. After the death of the Saud in May 1814, His son Abdalla Ibn Saud Ibn Abdel Aziz became Emir. In early 1815, the Egyptians caused the forces of Wahhabis a series of severe lesions. Wahhabits were defeated in Hijaz, Ashere and in strategically important areas between Hijaz and an next. However, in May 1815, Mohammed Ali had to urgently leave Arabia. In the spring of 1815, the world was signed. Under the terms of the Hijaz contract, the Egyptians were managed, and Wahhabis retained only the districts of Central and Northeast Arabia. Emir Abdalla promised to obey the Egyptian medina governor, and also recognized himself with Vassal Turkish Sultan. He also pledged to ensure the safety of Hajj and return the treasures abducted by Wahhabi in Mecca. But the truce was short-lived, and in 1816 the war resumed. In 1817, as a result of the successful onset of the Egyptians, the fortified settlements of the ER Ros, Buraidu and Unese took. The commander of the Egyptian forces of Ibrahim-Pasha, having enlisted with the support of most tribes, in early 1818 invaded the EMD and April 1818 askedid ED-Diriyia. After a five-month siege, the city fell (September 15, 1818). The last ruler of ED-Diriyia, Abdalla Ibn Saud, surrendered to the mercy of the winners, was sent first to Cairo, then Istanbul and there is publicly executed. Other Saddi were taken to Egypt. ED-DIARYYY was destroyed. In all cities, there was no fortunate and put the Egyptian garrisons. In 1819, the entire territory previously owned by Saudidam was attached to the possessions of the Egyptian ruler of Mohammed Ali.
Second Saudi state.
However, the Egyptian occupation lasted only a few years. The displeasure of the indigenous population of the Egyptians contributed to the revival of the Wahhabi movement. In 1820, an uprising led by Misrakhi Ibn Saud, one of the relatives of the executed Emir, broke up in ED-Dirie. Although it was suppressed, Wahhabits a year later managed to recover from the defeat and under the leadership of Ibn Abdallah (1822-1834), the grandson of Mohammed Ibn Saud, and a cousin Uncle Abdalla, to restore the Saudi state. From the destroyed ED-DIRIARY, their capital was transferred to Er-Riyad (approx. 1822). In an effort to preserve friendly relations with the Ottoman rulers of Iraq, the Turks recognized the nominal suzernet of the Ottoman Empire. Egyptian troops expelled against Wahhabites died from hunger, thirst, epidemics and partisan raids. Egyptian garrisons were preserved in Kamyme and Shammar, but from there they were knocked out in 1827. Looming the resistance of the recalcitrant Bedouin tribes, Wahhabis to 1830 again seized the coast of El Hasa and forced Sheikhov Bahrain to pay them tribute. Three years later, they subordinate to themselves all the coast of the Persian Bay south of El Catiff, including part of Oman and Muscat. Under the control of Egypt, only Hijaz remained, which was transformed into the Egyptian province led by the governor. Despite the loss of Central and Eastern Arabia, the Egyptians continued to influence the political life of these regions. In 1831, they supported the claim to the Wahhabi throne of Masha Ibn Khalida, a cousin of the Turks. The country has begun a long period of power struggle. In 1834, Mashari, with the help of Egypt, convinced Er-Riyadh, killed the Turks and sat down in his place. However, a month later, Faisal Ibn Turks, relying on support for the troops, dealt with Mashari and became the new ruler of Nahua (1834-1838, 1843-1865). Such a turn of events did not suit Mohammed Ali. The reason for the new war was the refusal of Faisal to pay tribute to Egypt. In 1836, the Egyptian expeditionary army invaded the limits of Nenia and a year later, he took possession of Er-Riyadh; Faceal was captured captured, sent to Cairo, where he was located until 1843. Halid I was put in Halid Ibn Saud (1838-1842), the son of Saud and Brother Abdullah, before that was in Egyptian captivity. In 1840, Egyptian troops were removed from the Arabian Peninsula than the Wahhabites, who expressed discontent with the Progesto Course of Khalida. In 1841, the ruler was declared Abdalla Ibn Tunayan; Er-Riyad was captured by his supporters, the garrison was destroyed, and Khalid, who at that moment was in Al Hasse, fled on the ship in Jedda. Abdullah's Board also turned out to be short-lived. In 1843, he was overthrown by the head of the Turks who returned from captive Faisal. In a relatively short term, Faisal managed to restore the actually broken emirate. Over the next three decades, the Wahhabitsky subsection once again began to play a leading role in the political life of Central and Eastern Arabia. During this period, Wahhabita twice (1851-1852, 1859) tried to establish their control over Bahrain, Qatar, the negotiated coast and internal areas of Oman. At the short moment, the ownership of the Saddov again spread to a significant territory from Jabel-Shammar in the north to the borders of Yemen in the south. Their further promotion on the Persian Gulf coast was stopped only by the UK intervention. At the same time, the central government of Er-Riyadh remained weak, the vassal tribes were often bent among themselves and raised the uprisings.
After the death of Faisal (1865), the inter-barred struggle was supplemented with dynastic straightening. Between the heirs of Faisala, who divided the submarines between the three sons, broke out the cruel internecine struggle for the "senior table". In April 1871, the ruled in Er-Riyadh Abdalla III Ibn Faisal (1865-1871) suffered a defeat from his consolidated brother of Saud II (1871-1875). In the next five years, the throne moved from hand to hand at least 7 times. Each Party created its own groups, as a result, the unity of the Wahhabi community was broken; Tribal associations no longer obeyed the central government. Taking advantage of the favorable situation, Ottomans in 1871 occupied El Hasu, and a year later - Asira. After the death of Saud (1875) and a short period of chaos in Er-Riyad, Abdalla III returned (1875-1889). He had to fight not only with his brother Abdarhman, but also with the sons of Saud II.
Against the background of this struggle, the Saddi turned out to be moved to the shadow rival with them the Dynasty of Rashididov, rules with 1835 by the Emirate of Jabel-Shammar. For a long time, Rashidida was considered the Vassals of the Saddov, but gradually, taking control of trade caravanways, failed and independence. Conducting a religious tolerance policy, Shammar Emir Mohammed Ibn Rashid (1869-1897), called Great, managed to end with dynastic civilians in the north of Arabia and unite under his authority Jabel-Shammar and Kasim. In 1876, he recognized himself with the vassal of the Turks and with their help began to fight with emirs from the house of Saddov. In 1887 Abdalla III, once again overthrown with his nephew Mohammite II, asked for help to Ibn Rashid. In the same year, the troops rashidide took Er-Riyad, putting in the city of his own governor. It is actually as hostages in Haile, representatives of the Saudis dynasty recognized themselves by the Vassal of Ibn Rashid and have pledged to regularly pay tribute to him. In 1889 Abdalle, appointed by the governor of the city, and his brother Abdarakhmanus allowed to return to Er-Riyad. Abdalla, however, died in the same year; He was changed by Abdarakhman, who soon tried to restore the independence of Nedia. In the battle at El Mulaide (1891), Wahhabis and their allies were defeated. Abdarahman with his family fled to Al Hasu, and then to Kuwait, where he found shelter from the local ruler. Razdid governors and representatives were appointed to the captured areas of Er-Riyadh and Kasym. With the fall of Er-Riyadh, Jabel-Shammar became the only major state in the Arabian Peninsula. The ownership of Rashdid Emirov spread from the borders of Damascus and Basra in the north to Asira and Oman in the south.
Ibn Saud and the formation of Saudi Arabia.
The power of the Sadidov dynasty was restored by Emir ABD Al-Aziz Ibn Saud (the full name of ABD Al-Aziz Ibn Abdaraman Ibn Faisal Ibn Abdallah Ibn Muhhamed Al Saud, later received fame under the name of Ibn Saud), who returned in 1901 from the exile and began a war against Dynasty rashidide. In January 1902, Ibn Saud, with the support of the ruler of Kuwait Mubarak, with a small detachment of his supporters, Her-Riyadh seized, the former capital of Saddov. This victory allowed him to consolidate in non-President and gain support from both religious leaders (proclaimed it with a new emir and imam) and local tribes. By the spring, 1904 ibn Saud restored its control over most of the southern and central schools. To combat Wahhabi, Rashidida in 1904 turned to the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman troops sent to Arabia forced Ibn Saud for a long time to move on defense, but soon defeated and left the country. In 1905, the military successes of Wahhabites forced the Governor (Vali) of the Ottoman Empire in Iraq to recognize Ibn Saud with his vassal in non-President. The ownership of Ibn Sauda nominally became the district of Ottoman Vilayet Basra. Left alone, rashidida continued to fight for some time. But in April 1906, their Emir Abdel Aziz Ibn Mitab Al-Rashid (1897-1906) died in battle. His successor Mitab hurried to conclude the world and recognized the Rights of Sadda for subsearch and Kasim. By exchange of letters, Turkish Sultan Abdul Hamid confirmed this agreement. Ottoman troops were removed from Kasym, and Ibn Saud became the only ruler of Central Arabia.
Like his ancestors, Ibn Saud sought to unite Arabia to a unitary theocratic state. This goal was promoted not only by his military and diplomatic success, but also dynastic marriages, the appointment of relatives for responsible posts and attracting ultrasonic state problems. Unstable elements that interfere with the unity of Arabia, Bedouin tribes remained, who retained the birth control organization and not recognized the state device. In an effort to achieve the loyalty of the largest tribes, Ibn Saud on the advice of Wahhabi religious teachers began to translate them to settle down. For this purpose, a military-religious fraternity was founded in 1912 iavanov (arab. "Brothers"). All Bedouin tribes and oasis that refused to join the Republic of Eyvan and recognize Ibn Saud with their emir and Imam, began to be considered as enemies. Ivwanam was prescribed to move into agricultural colonies ("Hijra"), whose members were called upon to love their homeland, unquestioned to imagine Imam-Emir and not to enter into any contacts with Europeans and residents of countries managed (including Muslims). In every Republican community, a mosque was erected, which served as a military garrison, and the Ivyvan themselves became not only farmers, but also the soldiers of the state of the Saddov. By 1915, more than 200 such settlements were organized throughout the country, which included at least 60 thousand people who were ready for the first call Ibn Saud to enter the war with "incorrect."
With the help of IBN, Ibn Saud has established full control over the 1112 (1912), annexed El Has and territory bordering Abu Dhabi and Muscat (1913). This allowed him to conclude a new agreement in May 1914 with the Ottoman Empire. In accordance with him, Ibn Saud became the governor (Vali) of the newly educated province (Vilayet) of submarines. Even earlier, the UK recognized El Hasu's ownership of Emir. Between the two countries began negotiations, which led to the fact that on December 26, 1915 a contract was signed in Darin About friendship and union With the Government of British India. Ibn Saud was recognized by Emir of Nenia, Kasima and El Hasa, independent of the Ottoman Empire, but did not undertake not to speak against England and coordinate his foreign policy with her, not to attack British possessions in the Arabian Peninsula, not to alienate its territory to third states and not enter Agreements with other countries, except the UK, as well as again begin the war against rashidide, which were allies of the Ottoman Empire. For this concession, Saddi received substantial military and financial assistance (in the amount of 60 f. Art. Per year). Despite the agreement, Nediadia Emirate never took part in the First World War, limiting the spread of his influence in Arabia.
At the same time, as a result of the secret correspondence of the British High Commissioner in Egypt Mak-Magon, with Great Sheriff Mecca Hussein Ibn Ali Al-Haming on October 24, 1915 Agreement was reached, according to which Hussein pledged to raise Arabs to the uprising against the Ottoman Empire. Instead, the United Kingdom recognized the independence of the future of the Arab State of Hamisites in his "natural borders" (part of Syria, Palestine, Iraq and the entire Arabian Peninsula, with the exception of British protectorates and territories of Western Syria, Lebanon and Kilicia, who claimed France). In accordance with the agreement in June 1916, the detachments of the Hijaz tribes headed by the son of Hussein Faisal and the British Colonel T.E.Lorence raised the uprising. Taking the title of King, Hussein declared the independence of Hijaz from the Ottoman Empire. Using diplomatic recognition, he proclaimed on October 19, 1916 on the independence of all Arabs from the Ottoman Empire and after 10 days he accepted the title of "King of All Arabs". However, the United Kingdom and France, secretly violating their obligations in the spring of 1916 (Says-Pico Agreement), recognized him only by the king of Hijaz. By July 1917, the Arabs cleared Hijaz from the Turks and took the port of Aqaba. At the final stage of the war, the detachments under the command of Faisala and T.E.Lurens took Damascus (September 30, 1918). As a result of the Armistical Armistial of the Ottoman Empire concluded on October 30, 1918, the Arab countries were liquidated. The process of separating the Hijaz (and other Arabic possessions) from Turkey was finally completed in 1921 at a conference in Cairo.
After the end of the First World War, the activity of the Movie Movie at the borders was led to the collisions of Sudids with most neighboring states. In 1919, in the battle near the city of Turab, located on the border between Hijaz and the Email, Muzvani completely destroyed the royal army Hussein Ibn Ali. The losses were so great that Sheriff Mecca had no strength left to defend the hijaz. In August 1920, Saudi troops led by Prince Faisal Ibn Abdel Aziz As-Saud was taken by the top asyr; The emirate was declared a protectorate of Naja (finally annexed in 1923). In the same year, under the blows of Ivvanov, G. Khail, the capital of Jabel-Shammar. With the defeat in the next year, Mohammed Ibn Talal, the last Rashdid Emir, Jabel-Shammar was joined to the possessions of Saudids. On August 22, 1921, Ibn Saud was proclaimed by Sultan Nedia and dependent territories. In the next two years, Ibn Saud Annexed El Jaouf and Wadi Sirhan, spreading its power to the entire North Arabia.
Encouraged by success, Ivwani continued to promote north, invading the border areas of Iraq, Kuwait and Transiordania. Not wanting the strengthening of Saudides, the United Kingdom supported the sons of Hussein - the king of Iraq Faisala and Emir Transodania Abdalla. Wahhabis suffered defeat, signing on May 5, 1922 in the dock of the so-called. "Muhammar's Agreement" on the demarcation of borders with Iraq and Kuwait; Neutral zones were created in the controversial areas. The conference on the settlement of controversial territorial issues convened next year by the British government with the participation of Iraq rulers, transice, and Hijaz ended to no avail. With the conquest of small principalities in the north and south, Saudi possessions doubled.
The adoption by King Hussein Titula Khalifa of all Muslims led in 1924 to a new conflict between the member and Hijazz. By accusing Hussein to retreat from the Islamic tradition, Ibn Saud in June 1924 turned to Muslims with a call not to recognize him by Caliph and convened a conference of the ultrasound, on which the decision was made about the war against Hijaz. In August of the same year, Ivvan invaded the hijaz and already seized Mecca in October. Hussein was forced to renounce the throne in favor of His Son Ali and flee to Cyprus. The onset of Wahhabis was continued next year. Territorial concessions of transice, as well as the aggravation of relations between King Hussein and England on the issue of belonging to Palestine gave the opportunity of Ibn Sauda relatively easy to achieve victory over Hijaz. In December 1925, Saudi troops took Jedda and Medina, after which Ali also renounced the throne. This event marked the fall of the Khistristian dynasty in Arabia.
As a result, the war Hijaz was joined by Nappy. January 8, 1926 In the Great Mecca Mosque Ibn Saud was proclaimed by the King of Hijaz and Sultan Nedia (Saudi State received the name "Kingdom of Hijaz, Sultanat of North and Attached Region"). On February 16, 1926, the Soviet Union was the first to recognize the new state and established diplomatic and trade relations with him. Hijaz, who was granted the Constitution (1926), received autonomy as part of the United States; His governor (Vice-King) was appointed Son Ibn Saud, in which the test meeting was created, appointed by him on the presentation of "famous citizens" of Mecca. The meeting was considered bills and other issues that the governor put in front of him, but all his decisions were advisory.
In October 1926, Saddi established their protectorate over the Lower Asium (finally conquering Asira was completed in November 1930). On January 29, 1927, Ibn Saud was proclaimed by the King of Hijaz, Nedia and the Attached regions (the state received the name "Kingdom of Hijaz and Nedia and the Attached Regions"). In May 1927, London was forced to recognize the independence of Hijaz - Neru; Ibn Saud, for its part, recognized the "special relationship" of Sheikh Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Neman with the United Kingdom (Treaty of Clayton).
With the conquest of the Hijaz and the introduction of a new tax on pilgrims, the main source of income in the treasury was Hajj (in the rest of the kingdom, except Hijaz, taxes were charged "in kind"). In order to promote the development of Hadja Ibn Saud, measures were taken to normalize relations with Western powers and their allies in Arab countries. However, on this path, Ibn Saud has encountered an inner opposition in the face of Ivvanov. The modernization of the country in the western pattern (the spread of such innovations, as phones, cars, telegraph, the premises of the son of Saud Feisala in the "country of unbelievers" - Egypt) they regarded as a betrayal of the basic principles of Islam. The crisis in camels, caused by the import of cars, has further strengthened discontent in the Bedouin Environment.
By 1926, the eggs became uncontrollable. Their raids on Iraq and Transiordania, declared as part of the struggle with "incorrect," became a serious diplomatic problem for Nedia and Hijaz. In response to the resumption of Iraq's border areas, Iraqi troops occupied a neutral zone, which led to a new war between the dynasties of Hashchitov and Saddov (1927). Only after the bomb strikes of British aviation for the troops of Ibn Saud, the fighting between the two states was discontinued. Iraq brought his troops from the neutral zone (1928). On February 22, 1930 ibn Saud signed the world with the king of Iraq Faisal (the son of the former Emir Hijaz Hussein), completing the Saudi-Hashemte dynastic enmity at the Arabian Peninsula (1919-1930).
In 1928, the leaders of the Ivvanov, accusing Ibn Saud in treason, for which they fought, threw an open challenge the power of the monarch. However, the majority of the population rods around the king, which gave him the opportunity to quickly suppress the uprising. In October 1928, a peaceful agreement was concluded between the king and leaders of the rebel. But the massacre of traders was forced Ibn Saud to take a new military operation against the Miavanov (1929). The Actions of Ibn Sauda were approved by the Council of the Ulemov, who considered that only the king had the right to declare the "sacred war" (jihad) and manage the state. After receiving a religious blessing from the ugnes, Ibn Saud formed a small army from the number of tribal and the urban population loyal and inflicted a series of defeats by the Bedouin rebel groups. The civil war, however, continued until 1930, when the rebels were surrounded by the British in Kuwaiti territory, and their leaders were transferred to Ibn Saud. With the defeat of Ivvanov, breeding associations lost their role in the main military support of Ibn Saud. During the civil war, rebellious sheikh and their squads were completely destroyed. This victory has become the final stage on the way of creating a single centralized state.
Saudi Arabia in 1932-1953.
September 22, 1932 ibn Saud changed the name of his state to the new - the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was assumed not only to strengthen the unity of the kingdom and to end with Hijaz separatism, but also to emphasize the central role of the Royal House in the creation of an Arabian centralized state. Throughout the subsequent period of the Board of IBN Saud, internal problems did not imagine special difficulties for him. At the same time, the external communications of the kingdom developed ambiguously. The policy of religious intolerance led to the alienation of Saudi Arabia from most Muslim governments, who considered Saudi regime hostile and outrageous full controls established by Wahhabi above the sacred cities and hajide.
In many places, especially in the south of the country, border problems continued. In 1932, with the support of Yemen, Emir Asira Hasan Idrisi, who refused in 1930 from his own sovereignty in favor of Ibn Saud, raised an uprising against Saudi Arabia. His speech was quickly suppressed. In early 1934, an armed clash between Yemen and Saudi Arabia occurred due to the disputed area. In just one and a half months, Yemen was crushed and almost completely occupied by Saudi troops. The final annexation of Yemen was prevented only the intervention of Great Britain and Italy, who seen in this threat to their colonial interests. Military actions were discontinued after the signing of the TAIFA Treaty (June 23, 1934), according to which Saudi Arabia made recognition by the Government of Yemen entering its composition Asira, Jizan and part of Nazran. The final demarcation of the border with Yemen was carried out in 1936.
Border Problems also took place in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula after Ibn Saud in 1933 provided the oil concession of the company "Standard Oil of California" (Sokal). Nobe the negotiations with the UK on the demarcation of borders with neighboring British protectorates and possessions - Qatar, negotiable Oman, Muscat and Oman and Eastern Protectorate of Aden.
Despite the mutual hostility, which existed between the dynasties of the Saddov and Hashchitov, in 1933, an agreement was signed with Transiordania, which had the end of the years intense hostility between the Sadidami and Hashchites. In 1936, Saudi Arabia made steps to normalize relations with a number of neighboring states. A non-aggression agreement was concluded with Iraq. In the same year, diplomatic relations with Egypt were restored, torn in 1926.
In May 1933, due to the reduction of the number of pilgrims in Mecca and tax revenues from Hajj, Ibn Saud was forced to provide a concession for oil exploration in Saudi Arabia "Standard Oil of California" (Sokal). In March 1938, California Arabien Standard Oil "(Cassack, a branch" Standard Oil of California ") discovered in El Hass oil. Under these conditions, CASS has achieved a concession for exploration and oil production in May 1939 on a large part of the country's territory (industrial production began in 1938).
The beginning of the Second World War prevented the full-scale development of El Hasya oil fields, but partly loss of income Ibn Saud was refunded at the expense of British and then American assistance. During the war, Saudi Arabia ruined diplomatic relations with fascist Germany (1941) and Italy (1942), but almost before it retained neutrality (officially declared war in Germany and Japan on February 28, 1945). At the end of the war, and especially after her, American influence increased in Saudi Arabia. In 1943, the United States established diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia and distributed a law on Land Liza to it. In early February 1944, American oil companies began to build a translate oil pipeline from Dakhran to the Lebanese port of Side. At the same time, the Government of Saudi Arabia allowed the construction of a large American military air base in Dakhran, which was necessary for the United States for the war against Japan. In February 1945 US President Franklin Roosevelt and the King of Saudi Arabia Ibn Saud signed an agreement on the US monopoly on the development of Saudi deposits.
Significantly increased oil production at the end of the war contributed to the formation of the working class. In 1945, the first strike was the first strike in 1945 at Arabien-American enterprises (Aramko, until 1944 - Kasak). The company's board was forced to satisfy the basic requirements of workers (wage increase, reduction of the working day and the provision of annual paid leave). As a result of new strikes in 1946-1947, the Government adopted the Labor Law (1947), according to which the 6-day working week was introduced at all enterprises of the country with an 8-hour working day.
The development of the oil industry has caused the formation of an administrative management system. In the late 1940s - early 1950s, the Ministry of Finance, Interior, Defense, Education, Agriculture, Communications, Foreign Affairs, etc. were created (1953).
In 1951, an agreement "On Mutual Defense and Mutual Assistance" was signed between the United States and Saudi Arabia. The United States received the right to further build a military air base in Dakhran (in El Hash), where the headquarters of Aramko was located. In the same 1951, a new concession agreement was signed with Aramko, according to which the company switched to the principle of "equal distribution of profits", deducting the kingdom of half of all its income from oil.
Based on significantly increased resources, Ibn Saud again put forward territorial claims against the English Protectors of Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Muscat. At the controversial territories, the search parties Aramko began to conduct survey work. After unsuccessful negotiations with the United Kingdom, the military forces of Saudi Arabia occupied the Oasis El-Buramimi, who belonged to Abu Dhabi (1952).
Saudi Arabia at Safe.
In a complete scale, the change caused by huge income from the export of oil was already manifested during the reign of the receiver of Ibn Saud, his second son of Saud Ibn Abdel Aziz, who climbed into the throne in November 1953. In October 1953, the Council of Ministers led by Saud was established. In the same month, the government suppressed the largest strike in which 20 thousand oilmen of Aramko participated. The new king was published laws that prohibited strikes and demonstrations and providing for the most cruel punishment (up to the death penalty) for performances against the royal regime.
In 1954, an agreement was reached between Saud and Otssis on the creation of an independent oil transport company, but Aramko with the help of the US Department of State formed a deal.
Relations with neighboring states during this period remained uneven. In the late 1940s - early 1950s, the relations of Saudi Arabia with a number of neighboring states improved, which was the consequence of the formation of the state of Israel and a hostile attitude towards him by the Arab countries. In foreign policy, Saud followed the covenants of his father and together with President Egypt Nasser supported the slogan of Arabic unity. Saudi Arabia opposed the creation of the "Organization of Middle East Cooperation" (METO) formed by Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Great Britain (1955). October 27, 1955 Saudi Arabia concluded an agreement on the defensive union with Egypt and Syria. In the same month, British forces from Abu Dhabi and Muscat restored their control over the oasis of El Buraimi, captured by the Police of Saudi Arabia in 1952. Attempt by Saudi Arabia to find support in the UN did not give results. In 1956, an additional agreement was signed in Jedda with Egypt and Yemen on the military union for 5 years. During the Suez crisis (1956), Saudi Arabia spoke on the side of Egypt, providing a loan in the amount of $ 10 million, and sent his troops to Jordan. November 6, 1956 Saud announced a break of diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom and France and the introduction of oil embargo.
In 1956, the strike of the Arab workers at the Arabic enterprises and student unrest were brutally depressed. Saud released the Royal Decree in June 1956, which forbidden strikes under the threat of dismissal.
Rotate in Saudi foreign policy outlined in 1957 after the visit of the Saud in the United States. Having made a sharply negative position to Panharabism and the Social Reform Program of the Nasser, Saud in March 1957 reached an agreement with the Hashemite rulers of Jordan and Iraq. The Islamists who emigrated from Egypt under pressure from Egypt were found in the country. In February 1958 Saudi Arabia opposed the formation of Egypt and Syria of the new State - the United Arab Republic (OAR). A month later, the official Damascus accused King of the Saud in involvement in a conspiracy in order to overthrow the Government of Syria and to prepare an attempt for President of Egypt. In the same 1958, relations with Iraq practically interrupted.
The huge costs of the Saud on personal needs, the maintenance of the courtyard, bribing the breeding leaders significantly undermined the Saudi economy. Despite the annual income from oil, the country's debt to 1958 rose to $ 300 million, Saudi Riyal devalued by 80%. Ineffective financial management of the kingdom and inconsistent internal and foreign policy, the systematic intervention of Saud in the internal affairs of other Arab countries led to the 1958 to the public administration crisis. Under the pressure of the members of the Royal Family, Saud in March 1958 was forced to transfer the entire completeness of the executive and legislative power to the Prime Minister, who was appointed his younger brother Faisal. In May 1958, the reform of the state apparatus was launched. The permanent council of ministers was formed, the composition of which was appointed head of government. The office was responsible for the prime minister, the king retained only the right to sign decrees and apply veto. In parallel, the financial control of the government behind all the incomes of the kingdom was established, and the costs of the royal yard were substantially cut. As a result of the measures taken, the government managed to balance the budget, stabilize the course of the national currency and to reduce the domestic duty of the state. However, the struggle inside the ruling house continued.
Relying on the tribal aristocracy and a group of liberal members of the royal family headed by Prince Talal Ibn Abdel Aziz, Saud in December 1960 returned direct control over the government and again took the post of prime minister. Along with the sons of the Saud, Talal and his supporters who spent political reforms, universal parliamentary elections and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy were included in the New Cabinet.
During this period, political associations arise, who advocate for the democratization of public life, the creation of a responsible government, the development of the national industry and the use of the country's wealth in the interests of the entire population: "The movement of freedom in Saudi Arabia", "Liberal Party", "Reform Party", "National Front reforms. " However, no real steps in the path of reforming the government could not undertake. In protest against the continuation of the conservative traditionalist politics, the Prince of Talal resigned and in May 1962, together with the group of his supporters, fled to Lebanon, and then to Egypt. In the same year, in Cairo, it was formed by the "front of the national liberation of Saudi Arabia", which was for conducting radical socialist transformations in the country and the establishment of the republic. The flight of Talal, as well as the overthrow of the monarchy in neighboring Yemen and the proclamation in September 1962 of the Yemen Arab Republic (YAR) led to the rupture of the diplomatic relations of Saudi Arabia with the United Arab Republic (OAR).
Over the next five years, Saudi Arabia was actually in a state of war in Egypt and Yar, providing direct military assistance to an overthrown Imam Yemen. His climax of war in Yemen reached in 1963, when Saudi Arabia, in connection with the threat of an Egyptian attack, announced the beginning of universal mobilization. By the same period, the deterioration of the relationship between Saudi Arabia with Syria, after in March 1963, the Party of Arab Socialist Renaissance (BAAS) came to power in this country.
Saudi Arabia with Faisale.
In October 1962, in connection with the deterioration of the economic situation in the country, the Cabinet of Ministers was headed by Prince Faisal. It was conducted a number of reforms in the economy, the social sphere and the field of education, on which the liberals insisted. The government has canceled slavery and slave trade (1962), nationalized Port Jidda, issued laws that protect the positions of Saudi industrialists from foreign competition provided them with loans, freed from taxes and duties to import industrial equipment. In 1962, PetroMin's state-owned company was established in order to control the activities of foreign companies, the extraction, transportation and marketing of all minerals, as well as the development of the oil refining industry. Other large-scale reforms in the field of public administration were assumed: the adoption of the Constitution, the creation of local authorities and the formation of an independent judiciary headed by the Supreme Judicial Council, including representatives of secular and religious circles. Attempts by the opposition to influence the situation in the country were severely stopped. In 1963-1964 anti-government performances in Haile and Nuzhda were suppressed. In 1964, conspiracies were revealed in the Saudi army, which caused new repressions against the "unreliable elements". Faisala projects and funds necessary to modernize the armed forces leading war in North Yemen, mean the need to reduce the personal expenses of the king. On March 28, 1964, on the decree of the Royal Council and the Council of the Urals, the powers of the king and his personal budget were cut off (Crown Prince Faisal was declared regent, and Saud nominee ruler). Saud, regarding this as an act of arbitrariness, tried to support the support of influential circles to return the powerful powers, but unsuccessfully. On November 2, 1964, Saud was shifted by the royal family members, the decision of which was confirmed by Festiva (religious decree) of the Council of Ulemov. November 4, 1964 Saud has signed a renunciation of the throne and in January 1965 went to exile in Europe. This decision put an end to the decade of inner and external instability and even more consolidated conservative forces within the country. The new king was proclaimed Faceal Ibn Al-Aziz Al-Faisal As-Saud, who retained the post of Prime Minister. In March 1965, he appointed a new heir to his consolidated brother, Prince Halida Ibn Abdel Aziza As-Saud.
With his primary task, Faisal announced the modernization of the kingdom. His first decrees were aimed at protecting the state and nation from potential internal and external threats that can prevent the development of the kingdom. Carefully, but decisively Faisal went on the path of introducing Western technologies in industry and the social sphere. With it, the development of the reform of the education system and health care was developed, national television appeared. After the death of the Great Mufti in 1969, the reform of religious institutions was carried out, a system of controlled by the king of religious bodies was created (Council of the Assembly of leading uglies, the Supreme Council of Cadi, the Administration of Scientific (Religious) Research, decision-making (FETV), propaganda and management, etc.).
In foreign policy, Faisal achieved great progress in resolving border disputes. In August 1965, a final agreement was reached on the demarcation of borders between Saudi Arabia and Jordan. In the same year, Saudi Arabia agreed on future contours of the border with Qatar. In December 1965, an agreement was signed on the demarcation of the continental shelf between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on joint rights to the Abu-Saaf Sea field. In October 1968, a similar agreement was signed on the continental shelf with Iran.
In 1965, Saudi Arabia and Egypt organized a meeting of representatives of the Yemen 'opposing Parties, at which there was an agreement between President Egypt, and the King of Saudi Arabia Faisal, an agreement was reached on the termination of foreign military intervention in the affairs of the Yar. However, hostilities soon resumed with a new force. Egypt accused Saudi Arabia in that she continues to provide military assistance to supporters of overthrown Imam Yemen, and announced the suspension of the withdrawal of his troops from the country. Egyptian aviation defeated the databases of Yemen monarchists in the south of Saudi Arabia. The Faisal government responded to this by the closure of several Egyptian banks, after which Egypt began to confiscate the entire property belonging to Saudi Arabia in Egypt. In the Saudi Arabia itself, a number of terrorist attacks were committed against the Royal Family and Citizens of the United States and the UK. On the charges in sabotage, 17 Yemenians were publicly executed. The number of political prisoners in the country in 1967 reached 30 thousand people.
The sympathies that Faisal could have been tested to the king Jordan Hussein as his colleague-monarch, as well as the enemy of any revolutions, Marxism and republican sentiments, were overshadowed by traditional rivalry between the Sadidami and Hashchitov. Nevertheless, in August 1965, a 40-year dispute was allowed between Saudi Arabia and Jordan on the border: Saudi Arabia recognized Jordan's claim to the port city of Aqaba.
Egyptian and Saudi disagreements were not solved before the Kartum Conference of the Heads of the Arab States in August 1967. This was preceded by the Third Arab-Israeli War ("Six-day War", 1967), during which the Government of Saudi Arabia declared his support for Egypt and sent his own to Jordan Military parts (20 thousand soldiers, who, however, did not participate in hostilities). Along with this, the Faisal government resorted to economic leverage: an embargo on oil exports in the United States and the UK was announced. However, the embargo continued not long. At the Khartoma conference of the head of the governments of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Libya decided to annually deduct "States-victims of aggression" (OAR, Jordan) 135 million f. Art. To restore their economy. At the same time, the embargo on oil exports was canceled. In exchange for economic assistance, Egypt agreed to bring his troops from North Yemen. The Civil War in Yar lasted until 1970, when Saudi Arabia recognized the republican government, brought all his troops from the country and stopped military assistance to monarchists.
With the cessation of the Civil War in Yar Saudi Arabia faced a new external threat - a revolutionary regime in the People's Republic of South Yemen (Nryuy). The king Faisal supported the groupings of the South Heather Opposition, fled after 1967 in Yar and Saudi Arabia. At the end of 1969, armed clashes for Oasis al-Vadya broke out between Nryui and Saudi Arabia. The reason for the exacerbation of the crisis was the estimated oil and water reserves in this region.
In the same year, the authorities were prevented by an attempt by the state coup, which was preparing the officers of the Air Force; About 300 people were arrested and sentenced to various prison terms. High wages and privileges weakened discontent in the officer corps.
In 1970, Shiite unrest, which were so serious that the city was blocked during the month once again occurred.
The agreement on friendship and cooperation, concluded between the USSR and Iraq in 1972, strengthened the fears of Faisal and pushed him into attempts to combine neighboring countries to the coalition to combat the "communist threat".
New disputes with neighbors caused education in 1971 of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). By putting his confession to the decision of the issue on El Buramy, Saudi Arabia refused to recognize a new state. Only in August 1974 after a long negotiations managed to remove most of the issues on the oasis of El Buraimi. As a result of the agreement, Saudi Arabia recognized the rights of Abu Dhabi and Oman on the oasis, and in turn received the territory of Sabha bits in the southern part of Abu Dhabi, two small island and the right to build the road and oil pipeline through Abu Dhabi to the Bay coast.
During the Arab-Israeli War, 1973 Saudi Arabia sent small military units to participate in hostilities in the Syrian and Egyptian fronts. At the end of the war, the country provided Egypt and Syria of China's financial assistance reduced in October - December oil production and its supply to countries supported Israel, established (temporarily) an embargo for oil exports to the United States and the Netherlands, in order to force them to change their policies in Arabia- Israeli conflict. The oil embargo and the rise in oil prices 4 times contributed to strengthening the economy of Arab oil-producing states. With the signing of the Armistice Affairs in 1974 between Israel, Egypt and Syria (both through the mediation of US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger) and the visit to Saudi Arabia (June 1974) of the US President Richard M. Nikson, the relations of Saudi Arabia with the United States were normalized. The country has made efforts to reduce global oil prices.
Saudi Arabia at Chalade (1975-1982).
March 25, 1975 King Faceal was killed by one of his nephews, Prince Faisal Ibn Musayid, who returned to the country after studying at the American University. The murderer was arrested, declared the mentally ill and sentenced to death through decapitation. The brother of King's brother - Cold Ibn Abdel Aziz As-Saud (1913-1982). Because of the weak health of the Khalida, in fact, the entire executive was transferred to the Crown Prince Fahdu Ibn Abdel Aziz As-Saud. The new government continued the conservative policy of Faisal, increasing the cost of development of transport, industry and education. Thanks to enormous income from oil and their military-strategic position, the role of the Kingdom in regional politics and international economic and financial issues has increased. The contract concluded in 1977 between the King Helt and President of the USA facilitated the contract to further strengthen the US-Saudi relations. At the same time, the Saudi government condemned peace agreements between Israel and Egypt, concluded in 1978-1979, and interrupted diplomatic relations with Egypt (restored in 1987).
Saudi Arabia was influenced by the rising wave of Islamic fundamentalism that followed the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1978-1979. In 1978, large anti-government performances accompanied by arrests and executions again occurred in Katif. The voltage in Saudi society was openly manifested in November 1979, when armed Muslim oppositionists led by Jucheim Al-Obey captured Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, one of the Muslim shrines. The rebels supported a part of the local population, as well as hired workers and students of some religious educational institutions. The rebels accused the ruling regime in corruption, in the retreat from the initial principles of Islam and the spread of the Western lifestyle. The mosque was liberated by Saudi troops after two-week fights in which more than 300 people died. The seizure of the Great Mosque and the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran provoked new speeches of Shiite dissidents, also suppressed by the troops and the national guard. In response to these speeches, the Hereditary Prince Fahd announced in the early 1980s on the plans for the creation of the Advisory Council, which, however, was formed only in 1993, and the modernization of management in the Eastern Province.
To ensure the external protection of its allies, the United States in 1981 agreed to sell Saudi Arabia to several on-board tracking systems of Avax, which caused a negative response in Israel, who feared the violation of military equilibrium in the Middle East. In the same year, Saudi Arabia took part in the creation of the Council of Cooperation of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf (SSAGPZ), the Group of Six Arabian Gulf countries.
On the other hand, seeking to withstand internal threats by religious extremists, the Government of Saudi Arabia began to provide active assistance to Islamist movements in various regions of the world, and above all in Afghanistan. This political course coincided with a sharp increase in the income from oil exports - in the period from 1973 to 1978, the annual profit of Saudi Arabia increased from 4.3 to 34.5 billion dollars.
Modern Saudi Arabia.
In June 1982, King Chalad died, the King and Prime Minister became Fahd. Another brother, Prince Abdullah, commander of Saudi National Guard, was named the Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister. Brother King Fakhda, Prince Sultan Ben Abdel Aziz Al-Saud (R. 1928), Minister of Defense and Aviation, became the second deputy prime minister. At the king, Fahde Saudi economy faced serious problems. The decline in world demand and oil prices that began in 1981 led to a reduction in the production of Saudi oil from 9 million barrels per day in 1980 to 2.3 million barrels in 1985; Revenues from oil exports decreased from 101 billion dollars to $ 22 billion. The balance of payments deficit in 1985 amounted to $ 20 billion, and currency reserves were reduced. All this led to the exacerbation of many internal political, social and religious contradictions, fueled by the intense foreign policy situation in the region.
Throughout the Iran-Iraq war, during which Saudi Arabia economically and politically supported the government of Iraq, followers of Homeney Ayatollah repeatedly organized riots, trying to disrupt the annual hajj in Mecca. With the help of severe security measures, Saudi Arabia usually managed to prevent large incidents. In response to the excitement of the Iranian pilgrims, which occurred in March 1987 in Mecca, the government of the country decided to reduce their number up to 45 thousand people per year. This caused an extremely negative reaction from the Iranian leadership. In July 1987, about 25 thousand Iranian pilgrims tried to block the entrance to the Haram Mosque (Beit-Ullach), enhancing the fight with the forces of order protection. As a result of the riots, more than 400 people died. Homney called for the overthrow of Saudi Royal House to take revenge on the death of pilgrims. Saudi government accused Iran in organizing insurrection in support of its requirement of the extraterritoriality of Mecca and Medina. This incident, along with the raids of Iranian aviation at Saudi oil tankers in the Persian Gulf in 1984, forced Saudi Arabia to interrupt diplomatic relations with Iran. Many terrorist attacks were committed at Saudi agencies abroad - primarily at the offices of the National Airlines "Saudia". Responsibility for the murder of Saudi diplomats took over the Shiite groupings of the party of God in Hijaz, "Orthodox soldiers" and "Generation of Arabic Wrath". Several Saudi Shiites were convicted and executed for the organization of bomb explosions at Saudi oil facilities in 1988. In 1989, Saudi Arabia accused Iran in involvement in two terrorist attacks during Hadja 1989. In 1990, 16 Kuwaiti Shiites were executed for the commitment of terrorist attacks. During 1988-1991, Iranians did not participate in Hajj. The normalization of relations with Iran was occurred after the death of Homeney in 1989. In 1991, the quota was approved by the quota of 115 thousand Iranian pilgrims and allowed political demonstrations in Mecca. During the Hajj in 1990, they were flooded to death or suffocated in an underground tunnel, which connects Mecca with one of the sanctuations, more than 1400 pilgrims. The incident, however, was not associated with Iran.
The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 had significant military, political and economic consequences for Saudi Arabia. After completing the occupation of Kuwait, the Iraqi troops began a concentration on the border with Saudi Arabia. To resist the Iraqi military threat, Saudi Arabia declared mobilization and asked for military assistance to the United States. The Fahd government allowed temporary deployment at the Saudi territory of thousands of American and Union Military Force. At the same time, the country accepted OK. 400 thousand refugees from Kuwait. During this period, to compensate for the loss of petroleum supplies from Iraq and Kuwait, Saudi Arabia has repeatedly increased its own oil production. A huge role during the war in the Persian Gulf played personally, the king of Fahd, by his influence convinced many Arab States to join the Anti-Arab coalition. During the war in the Persian Gulf (1991), the territory of Saudi Arabia was repeatedly subjected to shelling from Iraq. In late January 1991, the Iraqi parts were captured by the Saudi city of Wafer and Hafji. The battles for these cities were named the largest in the history of the country by the battle with the forces of the enemy. Saudi forces participated in other combat operations, including in the liberation of Kuwait.
After the war in the Persian Gulf, the Government of Saudi Arabia was subjected to powerful pressure from Islamic radicals demanding to conduct political reforms, strict follow-up to the provisions of Sharia, the withdrawal of the troops of Western countries, especially American, from the sacred land of Arabia. The king of Fahdu was sent to petitions, called for the expansion of government powers, wider public participation in political life and greater economic justice. Following these promotions, the creation in May 1993 "Committee on the Protection of Legal Rights" followed. However, soon the government banned this organization, the dozens of its members were arrested, and the King of Fahd demanded that Islamists cease to stop anti-government agitation.
The pressure of the liberals and the conservatives forced the King of Fahd to proceed with political reforms. On February 29, 1992, three royal decret were adopted at the official meeting of the government ("Basics of Power System", "Regulations on the Consultative Council" and "System of the Territorial Device"), which secured the general principles of the State Device and the Office of the country. In addition to them in September 1993, the King was adopted by the "Act of the Advisory Council", according to which the members of the Advisory Council were appointed and the authority clarified. In December 1993, the first meeting of the Advisory Council was held. In the same year, the reform of the Council of Ministers and Administrative Reform was announced. According to the Royal Decree, the country was divided into 13 provinces, at the head of which the emirs appointed by the king were delivered. In the same 1993, members of 13 provincial councils and the principles of their activities were announced. In 1994, the provinces, in turn, were divided into 103 districts.
In October 1994, as a counterweight, the Council of the Ulemov, the Consultative body of the extreme conservative theologians, was formed by the Supreme Council on Islamic Affairs, consisting of members of the royal family and members appointed by the king (led by the Sultan Defense Minister), as well as the Council on Islamic Inquaries and Management (led by the Minister of Islamic Affairs Abdalla Al-Turkis).
War and Iraq seriously affected the country's economy. Economic problems have become apparent in 1993, when the United States insisted that Saudi Arabia paid American spending during the war in the Persian Gulf. According to experts, this war was worth $ 70 billion. Low oil prices did not allow Saudi Arabia to compensate for financial losses. Budget deficit and decline in oil prices in the 1980s forced the Saudi government to cut social spending and reduce the overseas investments of the Kingdom. Despite its own economic difficulties, Saudi Arabia prevented the Iranian plans to artificially raise oil prices in March 1994.
War against terrorism.
However, the attempts of structural reforms could not solve contradictions that were crowded in Saudi society. Coalition troops were derived from Saudi Arabia at the end of 1991; About 6 thousand American military remained in the country. Their stay at the Saudi land was in the blatant contradiction with the dogmas of Wahhabism. In November 1995, the first terrorist attack against American citizens occurred in Er-Riyadh - a bomb was exploded in a car parked at the management of the programs of the National Guard of Saudi Arabia programs; 7 people were killed and 42 injured. In June 1996, after the execution of 4 Islamists who organized an explosion, a new attack followed. On June 25, 1996, a mined fuel truck was blown up in Dakhran near the US military base. In the explosion, 19 American servicemen and 515 people were injured, incl. 240 US citizens. Responsibility for attacks took over the "Movement for Islamic changes in the Arab Peninsula - Wing of Jihad", as well as two previously unknown groups "Tigers of the Bay" and "Fighting Defenders of Allah". Although the government of the country condemned these attacks, many well-known Saudi and religious groups declared their disagreement with the US military presence in Saudi Arabia. In November 1996, 40 Saudis, who were imprisoned within a few months were charged in compulsion in the terrorist act. In December of the same year, the Government was approved by additional measures for the security of American facilities in the country.
The relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States worsened even more after the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 on New York and Washington. This was caused by the fact that the majority of the participants of the attack (15 out of 19) were subjects of the Saudi Kingdom. In September 2001 Saudi Arabia ruined diplomatic relations with the Taliban "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan". At the same time, the Government of Saudi Arabia refused the United States in the right to use American military bases on its territory to carry out operations against terrorists. In the Saudi Arabia itself, the debate on the role of religious clergy, individual representatives of which were open from openly anti-American and anti-evasive positions. In society, the voices began to be distributed in favor of revising some concepts of the religious doctrine underlying the Wahhabi movement. In December 2001, the Fahd king called for the eradication of terrorism as a phenomenon that does not correspond to Islam standards. The government froze the accounts of a number of individuals and legal entities, including some Saudi charitable funds. The information provided by Saudi intelligence helped eliminate 50 companies in 25 countries through which the Al-Qaida International Terrorist Network was financed.
American pressure on Saudi Arabia increased in August 2002, when about 3 thousand relatives of victims of terrorist acts on September 11, 2001 filed a lawsuit against 186 respondents, incl. Foreign banks, Islamic funds and members of the Royal Family of Saudi Arabia. All of them were suspected of involvement in the help of Islamic extremists. At the same time, it was approved for the existence of Corporation Saudi Arabia with terrorists. All the accusations of the American side were rejected by Saudi authorities; In protest against prosecution, some Saudi investors threatened to bring their money assets from the United States. In November 2002, the US CIA extended a list of 12 Saudi entrepreneurs among the bankers around the world, whom Washington suspects in financing the Al-Qaida International Terrorist Network. This happened against the background of the requirements of a number of US Congressmen to conduct a deep investigation of reports that Saudi Arabia provided financial resources to 19 terrorists who have committed the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11. Meanwhile, in the US administration itself, it seems that there was no consensus on how strong pressure should be rendered to Saudi Arabia. Speaking in Mexico City, US Secretary of State, Colin Powell stressed that the United States should be careful to prevent "breaking relationships with the country for many years that has been a good US partner and still remaining a strategic partner of America."
Saudi Arabia in the 21st century
In the very Saudi Arabia, the voices of supporters of reform sounded louder. In 2003, the King Fahdu was sent to petitions with the requirements of the democratization of political life, freedom of speech, the independence of the court, the revision of the Constitution, the conduct of economic reforms, the elections to the Advisory Council and the creation of civil institutions. Against the background of deterioration of relations with the United States, the Government of Saudi Arabia adopted unprecedented steps to reform the system. In 2003, elections were announced in local authorities, on the creation of two human rights organizations (one - under the patronage of the government, the second - independent). An identity cards for women were introduced. In the same year, a conference on human rights conference was held in Er-Riyadh, which considered the issue of human rights in the context of Islamic legislation.
War in Iraq (2003) caused a deep split in the Arab world. Initially, the position of Saudi Arabia regarding US plans to overthrow the regime of Saddam Hussein was irreconcilable. In August 2002, the authorities of the country stated that the use of American facilities located on the territory of the Kingdom would not allow the use of strikes on Iraq, even if these strikes were authorized by the UN. Moreover, in October 2002 Saudi Arabia (for the first time since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait), the border was opened with Iraq. In the preparation for war, the Government of Saudi Arabia has repeatedly made attempts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. However, in early 2003, the position of Er-Riyadh changed dramatically. Already during the war in Iraq, the Government of Saudi Arabia expressed its support to the United States, allowing the coalition forces to use American runways and military bases located in the country. At the end of the hostilities, Saudi Arabia participated in the conference on the restoration of Iraq (October 2003, Madrid), which announced that he would allocate $ 1 billion to restore the neighboring state (500 million will be represented by project financing, and another 500 million - commodity export).
In April 2003, the United States announced that they would bring most of their troops from Saudi Arabia, since the need for their presence disappeared with the fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein. Finding a foreign army in an extremely conservative Islamic country was a strong annoying factor playing the hand of Islamic radicalism. One of the main reasons for the attack on September 11, 2001, according to Saudi Terrorist Osame Bin Laden, was the presence of American troops in the homeland, Shrine Islam, Medina and Mecca. The new war in Iraq (2003) contributed to the further activation of radical Islamists. May 12, 2003 In Er-Riyadh, the suicide terrorists committed four attacks on the complex of buildings in which foreigners lived; 34 people were killed and 160 were injured. On the night of November 8-19, 2003, the group of suicide bombers organized a new attack. In the course of him, more than 130 people were killed and wounded, mostly foreign workers from the Middle East countries. It is assumed that Al-Qaida stood for all attacks. The United States and other countries once again doubted the readiness of Saudi Arabia to fight terrorism. In July 2003, the US Congress spoke with a tight statement on the financing of Saudi Arabia of terrorist organizations and the hindrance of government officials related to attacks on September 11, 2001. Although the Saudi government arrested a large number of suspects in terrorist activities in 2002, according to international experts, -Schell remains a stronghold of Islamic radicalism.
On August 1, 2005, the King of Saudi Arabia Fahd died. The king was the Crown Prince Abdullah, the Fakhda Brother, who died in January 2015.
Abdalla held a number of reforms in the country, in particular, created the Supreme Court - the Garant of the Constitution of Saudi Arabia; increased the composition of the Majlis (Advisory Council) from 81 to 150 deputies, where for the first time a woman took a high national post of Deputy Minister of Education for Women;
he opened the University of Science and Technology with Joint Learning of Boys and Girls; forbade members of the numerous royal family to use the state lawcone; implemented the state program scholarships for teaching young people in Western universities; He became the first Saudi monarch, who visited the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
He was inherited by the twenty fifth son of the first monarch of the country of King Abdel-Azizi Prince Salman Ben Abdel-Aziz As-Saud.
Kirill Limanov
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