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Saudi Arabia is a nation of
tribes that can trace their roots back to the earliest
civilizations of the Arabian peninsula. The ancestors of
modern day Saudis lived on ancient and important trade
routes and much of their income was realized by raiding
parties. Divided into regions and ruled by independent
tribal chiefs, the various warring tribes were unified
under one religion, Islam, led by the Prophet Mohammed, in
the 7th century. Before the Prophet died at age 63, most
of Arabia was Muslim.
The ancestors of the present
rulers of Saudi Arabia reigned over much of Arabia during
the 19th century. After losing most of Saudi territory to
the Turks, they were driven from Riyadh and sought refuge
in Kuwait. King Abdul Aziz Al Saud, father of the present
day King, returned to Riyadh and fought to regain the
country. He succeeded and founded modern Saudi Arabia in
1932.
Oil was discovered in 1938 and
Saudi Arabia began a rapid climb as one of the world's
wealthiest and most influential nations.
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