Saudi Arabia: information, information, general characteristics. Saudi Arabia: a form of government

"Country of two mosques" (Mecca and Medina) - so in another way is often called Saudi Arabia. The form of government of this state is an absolute monarchy. Geographical information, a brief history and information on the political structure of Saudi Arabia will help to form a general picture of this country.

General information

Saudi Arabia is the largest state on the Arabian Peninsula. In the north, it borders Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan, in the east - with the UAE and Qatar, in the southeast - with Oman, and in the south - with Yemen. She owns more than 80 percent of the peninsula, as well as several islands in the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.

More than half of the country's territory is occupied by the Rub-el-Khali desert. In addition, in the north is part of the Syrian desert, and in the south is An-Nafud - another great desert. Plateau in the center of the country is crossed by several rivers, usually dry out during a hot period.

Saudi Arabia is exceptionally rich in oil. Profit from the sale of "black gold" the government partially invests in the development of the country, partially invests in industrialized countries and uses to provide loans to other Arab powers.

The form of government of Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy. Islam is recognized as the state religion. Arabic is the official language.

The name of the country was given by the ruling dynasty - Saudi Arabia. Its capital is the city of Riyadh. The population of the country is 22.7 million people, mostly Arabs.

Early history of Arabia

In the first millennium BC on the shores of the Red Sea was the Mineya Kingdom. On the east coast was located Dilmun, considered a political and cultural federation in the region.

In 570, an event occurred that determined the fate of the Arabian Peninsula - Mukhammed, the future prophet, was born in Mecca. His teaching literally turned the history of these lands, later influenced the peculiarities of the form of government of Saudi Arabia and the culture of the country.

The followers of the prophet, known as caliphs (caliphs), conquered almost all the territories of the Middle East, carrying Islam. However, with the advent of the caliphate, whose capital was first Damascus, later - Baghdad, the significance of the homeland of the prophet was gradually losing importance. At the end of the XIII century, the territory of Saudi Arabia was almost entirely under the rule of Egypt, and after another two and a half centuries these lands moved to the Ottoman Port.

The emergence of Saudi Arabia

In the middle of the XVII century the state of Nazh appeared, which managed to achieve independence from the Port. In the middle of the XIX century, Riyadh became its capital. But the civil war, which broke out after a few years, led to the fact that the weakened country was divided among themselves by neighboring powers.

In 1902, the son of Shaykh Oasis Dirrayah, Abdul-Aziz ibn Saud, managed to take Riyadh. Four years later, under his control, was almost the whole of the Chief. In 1932, emphasizing the special significance of the royal house in history, he officially gave the country the name of Saudi Arabia. The form of government of the state allowed the Saudis to achieve absolute power in its territory.

Since the middle of the last century, this state has become the main ally and strategic partner of the United States in the Middle East region.

Saudi Arabia: a form of government

The Constitution of this state officially proclaimed the Koran and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. However, the state structure of Saudi Arabia, the form of government and the general principles of power are determined by the Basic Nizam (law), which came into force in 1992.

This act contains the provision that Saudi Arabia is a sovereign Islamic state, the system of power in which is monarchical. The state structure of the country is based on Sharia.

The king of the ruling clan of the Saudis is also a religious leader and supreme authority for all types of power. At the same time, he holds the post of supreme commander-in-chief of the army, has the right to make appointments to all important civil and military posts, declare war and a state of emergency in the country. He also watches to ensure that the overall political direction meets the norms of Islam and controls the implementation of the principles of Sharia.

Government departments

Executive power in the state is exercised by the Council of Ministers. The king holds the post of its chairman, it is he who is responsible for its formation and reorganization. The Nizamas, approved by the Council of Ministers, enact royal decrees. Ministers are headed by relevant ministries and departments, for whose activities they are responsible to the king.

Legislative power is also exercised by the king, in which the Advisory Council operates with advisory rights. Members of this council express their opinion on the projects of the Nizam adopted by the ministers. The Chairman of the Advisory Council and sixty members are also appointed by the King (four years).

The Supreme Judicial Council is at the head of the judiciary. On the recommendation of this council, the king appoints and dismisses judges.

Saudi Arabia, whose form of government and state structure is based on the almost absolute power of the king and the worship of the Islamic religion, officially has neither trade unions nor political parties. Service of a different religion, except Islam, is also prohibited here.