Saudi Arabia — an Arab and regional power with considerable economic and political weight — comprises a wide geographical area, covering about 80% of the Arabian Peninsula.
To put this into perspective, Saudi Arabia’s size is equivalent to one-third of the area of the United States.
Located at the junction of key global trade routes and positioned between three continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa, Saudi Arabia has a rich history and is home to some of the oldest human civilisations.
Among them are the civilisations of Thamud, who lived in Mada'in Salih, and of Midian, located in the northwest of Saudi Arabia. Their history goes back to the era before Prophet Issa, known as Jesus Christ to Christians.
Additionally, it was the homeland of the oldest Arab kingdoms in the 2nd century BC, such as Tasm, Jadees, the Kingdom of Dilmun, and the Kingdom of Kindah, to the south of the current capital, Riyadh.
Birthplace of Islam
Saudi Arabia is also the cradle of Arab civilisation and the birthplace of Islam.
This position has placed significant political burdens and responsibilities on the Kingdom. The stability of neighbouring Gulf and Arab countries is intrinsically linked the stability of Saudi Arabia.
To this end, the Kingdom has diligently worked to bridge existing gaps in the Arab and Islamic worlds. It has also coordinated joint Arab action, which helped to build the foundations of stability in those countries.
Saudi Arabia is one of the most prominent countries in the Arabian Gulf region due to its diverse set of strengths such as its historical and strategic importance, its human and material resources, its military and climatic and topographic diversity.
Interestingly enough, it is the only Arab country that has never been occupied by colonial powers, which kept the Arabic language pure and free from foreign linguistic influences, both in standard Arabic and spoken dialects.
Since its unification as a kingdom in 1932, Saudi Arabia's policy has been characterised by moderation, clarity, and independence of decision. It has never yielded to any party, being a sovereign state that acts based on its national interests without impairing the interests of others.
Quiet diplomacy
Islam, which is the official religion of the state and constitution, has significantly influenced its political activities and foreign relations. This can be seen in the stable nature of its relations with others, as the Kingdom expresses its positions calmly.
Saudi leaders opt to resolve differences through quiet dialogue and diplomatic means, adopting a policy of non-alignment, and establishing cooperative relations with all countries, with a realism that avoids slogans and political radicalism which are harmful to the security and stability of the Arab world.
