Named after the ruling Al Sa'ud family, who first came to power in the 18th century, the country includes the Hijaz region - the birthplace of Muhammad and the cradle of Islam. This fact, combined with the Al Sa'uds' espousal of a strict interpretation of Sunni Islam known as Wahhabism, has led it to develop a strongly religious self-identity.

Internal stability has meant successive leaders have been able to concentrate on modernisation and developing the country's role as a regional power. In 1990 King Fahd invited US-led troops to enter the country following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. Saudi Arabia served as the base from which Kuwait was eventually liberated.

FACTS

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SAUDI FACTS

Population: 21m

Capital: Riyadh

Major language: Arabic

Major religion: Islam

Form of government: Monarchy

Monetary unit: 1 Riyal = 100 halalah

Main exports: Oil, gas, cereals

Internet domain: .sa

Time zone: gmt +3hrs

International dialling code: +966

LEADERS

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King Fahd

Head of State: King Fahd Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Sa'ud

Son of the kingdom's founder, Fahd became king after the death of his brother, King Khalid in June 1982. He was already experienced in politics when he became king. In 1986, he added the title "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques" to his name to affirm his commitment to Islam. He has shown support for all Muslims, encouraging donations and assistance from Saudi people to Muslims wordwide, including Kosovo. A supporter of the Palestinian cause, he is committed to helping restore stability to the region. In spite of his traditional values, he has supported modernisation and his rule has seen many improvements in education, healthcare and the economy.

First deputy prime minister, crown prince: Prince Abdallah Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Sa'ud

Second deputy prime minister: Prince Sultan Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Sa'ud

Foreign minister: Prince Sa'ud al-Faysal Bin-Abd al-Aziz Al Sa'ud

Interior minister: Prince Nayif Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Sa'ud

MEDIA

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Saudi Arabia has one of the most sophisticated and yet restricted media scenes in the Middle East.

The state Broadcasting Service of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (BSKSA) is responsible for all broadcasting in the Kingdom and is directly controlled by the Ministry of Information.

Satellite dishes are banned but more than half of Saudi households are believed to have them. People in the country's east have a wide choice of programming as they can pick up signals from more liberal Gulf neighbours.

Press
All Saudi newspapers are created by Royal decree. Pan-Arab papers, subject to censorship, are available.

The government owns the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and newspapers tend to follow SPA's lead on whether or not to publish news on sensitive subjects.

Television
Official steps to counter potentially damaging content on satellite TV include encouraging the development of Saudi-owned television stations such as Iqra'a TV; banning satellite dishes and developing a wireless cable system which gives the government control over which channels can be viewed.

Saudi TV is available on the internet.

Radio
Private radio stations are not permitted apart from MBC FM, owned by Sheikh Walid Al Ibrahim, brother-in-law of King Fahd.