SAUDI ARABIA

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

What resources does Saudi Arabia

have?
What resources dont they have?
What happens if they dont have these
resources?
What is the land like in Saudi Arabia?
What is the main religion in Saudi
Arabia?

SAUDI ARABIA

Located in the Arabian Peninsula

Largest country in the area
Has the most influence in the area

Religion
Oil

ENVIRONMENT

Desert climate
Worlds largest
sand desert is
Rub al-Khali
means Empty
Quarter
It is located in
southern Saudi
Arabia

RELIGION

The major religion in Saudi Arabia is

Islam.
Monotheistic religion
Islam was found in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
by Muhammad.
There is two branches: Shia, and Sunni.

Shia believe that true interpretation of

Islamic teaching can only come from
certain religious and political leaders.
Sunni believe in the ability of the
majority of the community to interpret
Islamic teachings.
85% of Saudi Muslims are Sunni.

Muslims are
required to make
one pilgrimage to
Mecca in their
lifetime if they can.
Its is part of the
Five Pillars of
Islam.
People travel from
all over the world
to go to Mecca.
Includes: Africa,
Europe, North
America, and
Southern Asia.

MECCA

GOVERNMENT

Saudi Arabia is a monarchy.

Monarchy: Ruling by a king.
To be king you need to be the son of the
former king.
The Saud Family has ruled since 1932.
Most government officials are relatives.
The government is influenced by religion.
There is no elected legislature.
There are a few elected local officials.

RELATIONS WITH UNITED STATES

Saudi Arabia is the

closest ally to the United
States that is in the
Persian Gulf.
The United States
protects Saudi Arabia
from volatile area.
Trading goods is an
important part of the
countries relationship.
Includes oil, engineering
and construction
material.

RESOURCES

Oil is a large
resource
This resource is
nonrenewable.
Brought wealth to
the country
Belong to OPEC:
Organization of
Petroleum
Exporting
countries.

AGRICULTURE

Water is a scarce
resource
A large amount of
food needs to be
shipped from other
countries
Some fields are
being irrigated by
fossil water.
This water is non
renewable once it
gone its gone.