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Middle East and North Africa
Saudi Arabia |
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Last reviewed: 20 August 2009 |
Country information
HISTORY
Modern Saudi Arabia was formed in 1932 when Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud united different regions of the Arabian Peninsula into one nation. On 23 September 1932, Abdul Aziz was proclaimed King. All of Saudi Arabia's rulers since 1932 have been descendants of Ibn Saud. During his rule, King Abdul Aziz laid the foundations for the modernisation of his country. He began to build the country's infrastructure, first establishing roads and basic communications systems, and later introducing modern technology and improving education, health care and agriculture.
In November 1953, King Abdul Aziz died and was succeeded by his eldest son, Crown Prince Saud bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. The new King’s brother, Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, was named Crown Prince. King Saud established the Council of Ministers and the Ministries of Health, Education and Commerce. The Crown Prince became King Faisal in 1964. To deepen links between Islamic nations, he travelled throughout the Arab and Islamic world.
In 1975, King Faisal was assassinated by his nephew, Faisal bin Musa’id bin Abdul Aziz. He was succeeded by his brother, King Khalid bin Abdul Aziz, whose reign lasted until 1982, when he died of a heart attack. His brother, Fahd, who had been made Crown Prince on King Faisal’s death, succeeded him. In 1986, King Fahd stopped using the title ‘His Majesty’ and took the title ‘Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’. Since 1996, Crown Prince Abdullah increasingly took on more responsibility after King Fahd suffered a stroke and upon the death of King Fahd on 1 August 2005, Crown Prince Abdullah became King and Prince Sultan became Crown Prince.
