A Little History And Background
Although the land encompassing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a long history, until recently most inhabitants' loyalty was primarily tribal rather than national. In most times past, the land was divided and under the control of invaders. Nevertheless, the inhabitants have shared a common language (Arabic) and religion (Islam), while being the birthplace of islam and location of its two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. Beginning in 1745, the wahabi movement swept across and united most of the peninsula by calling for the purification of Islam through a literal view of the Koran. King Ibn Saud (1882-1953), a descendant of Wahabi leader, took power in 1901, merged independent areas, created an entity that was both political and legitimized his monarchy and succession by being the defender of Islamic holy areas, beliefs, and values.
the growing importance of oil revenue of Saudi Arabia, particularly since the 1970s, has led to rapid urbanization