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AlUla valley and sandstone escarpments

SAUDI ARABIA · A WORLD WITHIN A LAND

A history to tell.
A land to discover.

A window into Saudi Arabia’s history, diverse landscapes and human heritage. Your journey of discovery starts here.

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ALULA · WHERE HISTORY MEETS NATUREAlUla valley and sandstone escarpments · Sammy Six / CC BY 2.0
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THREE STATES, ONE NATIONAL JOURNEY

History of the Saudi States

Explore the history of the First Saudi State, then the Second, through to the Third Saudi State and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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Image credits
Image attribution: Diriyahpic — Petrovic-Njegos at English Wikipedia, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diriyahpic.jpg ; license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ . Renamed locally. CMS derivative: converted to WebP at quality 85; proportionally resized within 2400 × 2400 without enlargement where needed. Card/hero display may crop to fit; original composition is not retouched. / نسخة CMS: تحويل إلى WebP بجودة 85 وتصغير تناسبي عند الحاجة ضمن 2400 × 2400 دون تكبير؛ قد يقتطع العرض داخل البطاقات أو رأس المقال أطراف الصورة، دون تنقيح محتواها. · License: CC BY 2.5 Generic — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/
Stories of place01

The First Saudi State

A state centred on Diriyah under Imam Muhammad bin Saud, officially dated in Saudi chronology to 1727. It expanded across Najd and other regions before its capital fell in 1818.

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Image attribution: Deera Square and Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque (1) — Radosław Botev (https://www.forumviatoris.org.pl/); copyright holder/licensor Fundacja Nomos, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 Poland. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Deera_Square_and_Imam_Turki_bin_Abdullah_Mosque_(1).jpg ; license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/pl/deed.en . Photograph dated 27 July 2024; modern rebuilt mosque opened in 1993, contextual to the Second Saudi State. / صورة سياقية ملتقطة عام 2024 للجامع ببنائه الحديث المفتتح عام 1993، لا لمبنى عصر الدولة الثانية. CMS derivative: converted to WebP at quality 85; proportionally resized within 2400 × 2400 without enlargement where needed. Card/hero display may crop to fit; original composition is not retouched. / نسخة CMS: تحويل إلى WebP بجودة 85 وتصغير تناسبي عند الحاجة ضمن 2400 × 2400 دون تكبير؛ قد يقتطع العرض داخل البطاقات أو رأس المقال أطراف الصورة، دون تنقيح محتواها. · License: CC BY 3.0 Poland — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/pl/deed.en
Stories of place02

The Second Saudi State

Imam Turki bin Abdullah restored Saudi rule in 1824 with Riyadh as capital. The state extended across Najd and eastern Arabia before ending in 1891 with Al Rashid's ascendancy.

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Image credits
Image attribution: Masmak Castle from Thumairi — Dainomite, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Masmak_Castle_from_Thumairi.jpg ; license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ . Photograph dated 24 December 2010; contextual view, not a photograph of the 1902 recovery of Riyadh. / صورة سياقية للمصمك عام 2010، لا توثق أحداث استرداد الرياض عام 1902. CMS derivative: converted to WebP at quality 85; proportionally resized within 2400 × 2400 without enlargement where needed. Card/hero display may crop to fit; original composition is not retouched. / نسخة CMS: تحويل إلى WebP بجودة 85 وتصغير تناسبي عند الحاجة ضمن 2400 × 2400 دون تكبير؛ قد يقتطع العرض داخل البطاقات أو رأس المقال أطراف الصورة، دون تنقيح محتواها. · License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
Stories of place03

The Third Saudi State

The Third Saudi State began with Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud's recovery of Riyadh in 1902. Regional unification led to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia proclaimed in 1932 and continuing thereafter.

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23.8859° N · 45.0792° E
Hover over a region to see its data; click to open its page.Tap a region to open its page.Population: Saudi Census 2022, General Authority for Statistics · Simplified, unofficial boundaries made with Natural Earth

ONE LAND, MANY WORLDS

Every region has a story.

From southern mountains to the Red Sea coast, from eastern oases to northern deserts. Discover a remarkable diversity of place.

01Riyadh Region02Makkah Region03Madinah Region04Qassim Region05Eastern Province06Asir Region07Tabuk Region08Hail Region09Northern Borders Region10Jazan Region11Najran Region12Bahah Region13Jawf Region
Earthen architecture in DiriyahEarthen architecture in Diriyah · Petrovic-Njegos / CC BY 2.5

A PLACE IN OUR MEMORY

Diriyah.
Where a story began.

Between earthen walls and the banks of Wadi Hanifah lies a founding chapter of Saudi history. Explore its beginnings and follow its legacy through time.

Discover the beginnings

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE HISTORY

Notable figures

Explore the kings of Saudi Arabia, their biographies and the milestones of their reigns.

All notable figures
011932–1953
An archival photograph of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud in 1945
Image credits
Image attribution: King Abdulaziz, 1945 — unknown photographer; Franklin D. Roosevelt Library & Museum, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ibn_Saud_1945.jpg . Public domain as a U.S. federal government work (PD-USGov). Archival portrait; no claim of an official modern portrait. Uploaded derivative: converted to WebP at quality 85 and proportionally resized within 1000 × 1200 without enlargement; CMS re-encodes to WebP at quality 85. Card and hero display may crop to fit; no retouching. / الصورة المرفوعة: تحويل إلى WebP وتصغير تناسبي ضمن 1000 × 1200 دون تكبير؛ يعيد CMS ترميزها إلى WebP. قد يقتطع عرض البطاقة أو رأس المقال أطراف الصورة، دون تنقيح. · License: Public domain — U.S. federal government work (PD-USGov) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ibn_Saud_1945.jpg#Licensing

King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud

Founder and first king of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz recovered Riyadh in 1902 and led the unification proclaimed in 1932. His reign saw the development of state institutions and the beginnings of the oil industry.

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021953–1964
An archival portrait of King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, dated 1960 in the Wikimedia record
Image credits
Image attribution: King Saud — unknown photographer; source credited by Wikimedia Commons as Saudi Press Agency; dated 1960 in the file record. Source and public-domain rationale: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saud_IV_of_Saudi_Arabia_portrait.jpg . PD-Saudi Arabia, including the pre-1979 publication criterion recorded by Commons. Uploaded derivative: converted to WebP at quality 85 and proportionally resized within 1000 × 1200 without enlargement; CMS re-encodes to WebP at quality 85. Card and hero display may crop to fit; no retouching. / الصورة المرفوعة: تحويل إلى WebP وتصغير تناسبي ضمن 1000 × 1200 دون تكبير؛ يعيد CMS ترميزها إلى WebP. قد يقتطع عرض البطاقة أو رأس المقال أطراف الصورة، دون تنقيح. · License: Public domain — PD-Saudi Arabia, image dated 1960 on Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saud_IV_of_Saudi_Arabia_portrait.jpg#Licensing

King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

The Kingdom’s second king and first crown prince after unification, Saud reigned from 1953 to 1964. His reign saw the Ministry of Education, King Saud University and expanding government services.

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031964–1975
Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz, later king, photographed by John Rous in 1943
Image credits
Image attribution: Prince Faisal, 1943 — John Rous, Office of War Information; Library of Congress, fsac.1a35390. Existing Commons crop from the photograph of Princes Faisal and Khalid. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Faisal_of_Saudi_Arabia_-_1943.jpg . Public domain (PD-USGov-FSA). Uploaded derivative: converted to WebP at quality 85 and proportionally resized within 1000 × 1200 without enlargement; CMS re-encodes to WebP at quality 85. Card and hero display may crop to fit; no retouching. / الصورة المرفوعة: تحويل إلى WebP وتصغير تناسبي ضمن 1000 × 1200 دون تكبير؛ يعيد CMS ترميزها إلى WebP. قد يقتطع عرض البطاقة أو رأس المقال أطراف الصورة، دون تنقيح. · License: Public domain — U.S. federal government work (PD-USGov-FSA) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Faisal_of_Saudi_Arabia_-_1943.jpg#Licensing

King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

The third Saudi king, Faisal brought extensive experience in foreign affairs and government. His reign included educational expansion, development planning and Saudi participation in the 1973 oil crisis.

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041975–1982
Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz, later king, photographed by John Rous in 1943
Image credits
Image attribution: Prince Khalid, 1943 — John Rous, Office of War Information; Library of Congress, fsac.1a35390. Existing Commons crop from the photograph of Princes Faisal and Khalid. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Khalid_of_Saudi_Arabia_-_1943.jpg . Public domain (PD-USGov-FSA). Uploaded derivative: converted to WebP at quality 85 and proportionally resized within 1000 × 1200 without enlargement; CMS re-encodes to WebP at quality 85. Card and hero display may crop to fit; no retouching. / الصورة المرفوعة: تحويل إلى WebP وتصغير تناسبي ضمن 1000 × 1200 دون تكبير؛ يعيد CMS ترميزها إلى WebP. قد يقتطع عرض البطاقة أو رأس المقال أطراف الصورة، دون تنقيح. · License: Public domain — U.S. federal government work (PD-USGov-FSA) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Khalid_of_Saudi_Arabia_-_1943.jpg#Licensing

King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

The fourth Saudi king, Khalid reigned during expanding infrastructure, education and healthcare funded by rising oil revenues. The Gulf Cooperation Council was founded during his reign in 1981.

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051982–2005
Official portrait of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, 1982
Image credits
Image attribution: Official portrait of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, 1982 — Saudi Press Agency; photographer not identified. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fahd_of_Saudi_Arabia_Portrait.jpg (Commons SHA-1 79698b237af540580b43ddbebb9fb4ebe16d02dc, 632 × 794). Public domain in Saudi Arabia under PD-Saudi Arabia (Articles 19–20, Royal Decree M/41). The Commons template treats such works as U.S. public domain only if published before 20 November 1979, so this 1982 portrait may remain protected in the United States. Selected by the site operator on 2026-09-27. Uploaded derivative: converted to WebP at quality 85 and proportionally resized within 1000 × 1200 without enlargement; CMS re-encodes to WebP at quality 85. Card and hero display may crop to fit; no retouching. / الصورة المرفوعة: تحويل إلى WebP وتصغير تناسبي ضمن 1000 × 1200 دون تكبير؛ يعيد CMS ترميزها إلى WebP. قد يقتطع عرض البطاقة أو رأس المقال أطراف الصورة، دون تنقيح. · License: Public domain in Saudi Arabia — PD-Saudi Arabia (photograph published 1982); U.S. public-domain status not established — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fahd_of_Saudi_Arabia_Portrait.jpg#Licensing

King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

The fifth Saudi king, Fahd acceded in 1982. His reign included the Basic Law of Governance, the Shura Council and provincial laws, expansions of the Two Holy Mosques and the Gulf War.

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062005–2015
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz photographed by Cherie A. Thurlby in January 2007
Image credits
Image attribution: King Abdullah, 17 January 2007 — Cherie A. Thurlby, U.S. Department of Defense. Existing portrait crop from the meeting photograph, ID 070117-D-7203T-016. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King_Abdullah_bin_Abdul_al-Saud_January_2007.jpg . Public domain (PD-USGov-Military). Uploaded derivative: converted to WebP at quality 85 and proportionally resized within 1000 × 1200 without enlargement; CMS re-encodes to WebP at quality 85. Card and hero display may crop to fit; no retouching. / الصورة المرفوعة: تحويل إلى WebP وتصغير تناسبي ضمن 1000 × 1200 دون تكبير؛ يعيد CMS ترميزها إلى WebP. قد يقتطع عرض البطاقة أو رأس المقال أطراف الصورة، دون تنقيح. · License: Public domain — U.S. Department of Defense work (PD-USGov-Military) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King_Abdullah_bin_Abdul_al-Saud_January_2007.jpg#Licensing

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

The sixth Saudi king, Abdullah reigned from 2005 to 2015. His reign saw expanding higher education and scholarships, dialogue initiatives and women’s participation in the Shura Council.

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072015–
Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, then crown prince, photographed by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo in 2013
Image credits
Image attribution: Salman bin Abdulaziz, then crown prince, 9 December 2013 — Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo, U.S. Department of Defense, image 131209-D-BW835-554. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King_Salman_bin_Abdulaziz_Al_Saud_in_2013.jpg . Public domain (PD-USGov-Defense). Archival photograph, not a current official portrait. Uploaded derivative: converted to WebP at quality 85 and proportionally resized within 1000 × 1200 without enlargement; CMS re-encodes to WebP at quality 85. Card and hero display may crop to fit; no retouching. / الصورة المرفوعة: تحويل إلى WebP وتصغير تناسبي ضمن 1000 × 1200 دون تكبير؛ يعيد CMS ترميزها إلى WebP. قد يقتطع عرض البطاقة أو رأس المقال أطراف الصورة، دون تنقيح. · License: Public domain — U.S. Department of Defense work (PD-USGov-Defense) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King_Salman_bin_Abdulaziz_Al_Saud_in_2013.jpg#Licensing

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

The seventh Saudi king, Salman acceded in 2015 after serving in Riyadh, defence and the crown princeship. His reign has included Vision 2030 and administrative, economic and social changes.

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WHAT WE INHERIT. WHAT WE CARRY FORWARD.

Heritage that tells our story

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Image credits
Image attribution: Saudi Ardha (Najdi Sword Dance) in At-Turaif district, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia — Ahad.F, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saudi_Ardha_(Najdi_Sword_Dance)_in_At-Turaif_district,_Diriyah,_Saudi_Arabia.jpg ; license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ . CMS derivative: converted to WebP at quality 85; proportionally resized within 2400 × 2400 without enlargement where needed. Card/hero display may crop to fit; original composition is not retouched. / نسخة CMS: تحويل إلى WebP بجودة 85 وتصغير تناسبي عند الحاجة ضمن 2400 × 2400 دون تكبير؛ قد يقتطع العرض داخل البطاقات أو رأس المقال أطراف الصورة، دون تنقيح محتواها. · License: CC BY-SA 4.0 International — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Stories of place

Saudi Ardah

A collective performing tradition, also known as Najdi ardah, combining chanted poetry, drumming and movement at social and national occasions.

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Image credits
Image attribution: Gold dates — LifeGorgise, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gold_dates.jpg ; license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ . CMS derivative: converted to WebP at quality 85; proportionally resized within 2400 × 2400 without enlargement where needed. Card/hero display may crop to fit; original composition is not retouched. / نسخة CMS: تحويل إلى WebP بجودة 85 وتصغير تناسبي عند الحاجة ضمن 2400 × 2400 دون تكبير؛ قد يقتطع العرض داخل البطاقات أو رأس المقال أطراف الصورة، دون تنقيح محتواها. · License: CC BY-SA 4.0 International — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Stories of place

Date Palm Cultivation in Saudi Arabia

Date palm cultivation in Saudi Arabia combines food production with knowledge of irrigation, pollination and fruit care. Al-Ahsa illustrates its links to farming heritage.

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Image credits
Image attribution: Finjan Arabic coffee — أدوّن وأوثق أيامي بالصور (rainsong), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Finjan_Arabic_coffee.jpg ; license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ . Proportionally resized by Wikimedia. CMS derivative: converted to WebP at quality 85; proportionally resized within 2400 × 2400 without enlargement where needed. Card/hero display may crop to fit; original composition is not retouched. / نسخة CMS: تحويل إلى WebP بجودة 85 وتصغير تناسبي عند الحاجة ضمن 2400 × 2400 دون تكبير؛ قد يقتطع العرض داخل البطاقات أو رأس المقال أطراف الصورة، دون تنقيح محتواها. · License: CC BY 2.0 Generic — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Stories of place

Arabic Coffee in Saudi Arabia

Arabic coffee in Saudi Arabia brings together preparation and hospitality, with roast levels, flavourings and customs varying among regions and households.

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Connected knowledge

History, place and people, brought together.

Two languages, one story

Saudi Arabia, for Arabic readers and the world.

Evidence before publication

An editorial process that puts sources first.