Saudi+Arabia

1 AD Nabateans take root in Mecca. 570 AD Mohammad is born. 620's AD Mecca slowly starts to convert to Islam 632 AD Mohammad dies starting the era of the caliphs 1324 AD Mansa Musa makes his pilgrimage to Mecca 1824 AD Saudi dynasty is founded 1860 AD Saudis are exiled to Kuwait 1916 AD Lawrence of Arabia and King Faisal conquere much of Arabia. 1921 AD Saudis return to Riyadh. 1936 AD Oil is found in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has always been a center of trade, culture, and power. However, its people have not always achieved these in the same ways. Originally, the area was inhabited by the Nabateans who were pagans that ruled Petra, an important stop in the silk route. Their main activity was to harbor trade caravans. Today, Saudi Arabia is important in the economic world. After the discovery of oil prior to World War II, the country soon became one of the world's major producers of oil and natural gas, and therefore, is now a major economic power. Although the country has gone through many different political changes, it has always been a center of Islamic culture and tradition. The most holy city of Islam, Mecca, is where pilgrims make their Hajj, which is required pillar of the religion requiring a follower to visit the city once in a lifetime. This tradition has been prevalent ever since the creation of the religion. The modern Saudi Arabia faces many problems regarding the clash between traditional and modern values. It is constantly being targeted by Human Rights Groups and the international community. Some believe that the Wahhabi Islam sect, an extremist wing of Islam, should treat women as equals, and give more rights to the people. The Wahhabi, however, believe that these ancient ways are essential to preserving their religion. Some of these conflicts between the old and the new ways have been caused by the rise of university students who are learning more about Western values. All in all, Saudi Arabia has for centuries been a center of Islamic culture, wealth, and power.

Fun facts about Saudi Arabia..
 * alcohol is illegal
 * water costs more than oil
 * its citizens use a lunar calendar
 * more than half the land mass is uninhabitable desert
 * it is the largest oil producer in the world
 * 75% of the people in Saudi Arabia are under 35 years old
 * Theocratic Monarchy
 * High GDP of 24,000$
 * main export is Oil
 * almost 100% Arab and Islam
 * Uses the Koran as guidance for law

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