Saudi Arabia: Birthplace of Islam and Oil Kingdom

Saudi Arabia, occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula, is Islam's birthplace and home to its two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. As the world's largest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia has wielded enormous influence over global energy markets and Middle Eastern politics.

Muslims worldwide face Mecca five times daily for prayers, and millions perform Hajj pilgrimage annually, one of Islam's five pillars. Saudi Arabia's oil reserves, among the world's largest, have funded rapid modernization while the kingdom maintained strict Islamic principles. Recent Vision 2030 reforms aim to diversify the economy and cautiously open society to tourism and entertainment.

Saudi society is deeply conservative, guided by Wahhabi Islam interpretation, though reforms have relaxed some restrictions including allowing women to drive. The country's vast deserts, including the Empty Quarter (largest continuous sand desert), contrast with modern cities like Riyadh. Saudi Arabia plays a leading role in Arab and Muslim worlds, wielding religious authority and economic power.