The Dry Facts

Saudi Arabia's current royal family's rule began in 1902, when ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud over took Riyadh and over the next 30 years strived to unify the Arabian Peninsula. As the country's Basic Law states, the throne shall be passed on to the sons and grandsons of the original Al Saud.

King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd Al-Aziz Al Saud is now in command, surrounded by a cabinet called the Council of Ministers. This cabinet is appointed by the monarch and includes many royal family members. As of 2003, the Council of Ministers announced that it would allow elections for some appointments on the Consultative Council, which acts as the legislative branch. In 2004, Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs was also approved nationwide voter registration for partial municipal council elections. The judicial branch of the government is called the Supreme Council of Justice. There are no political leaders, parties, or pressure groups.

The government has strong control of the country's oil-based economy. 25% of the world's petroleum reserves come from Saudi Arabia which has a frontline role in OPEC. Roughly 75% of the country's budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of it's export income is directly linked to oil. Top export partners are the US 19.3%, Japan 16.4%, South Korea 8.7%, China 5.8, Singapore 4.5% (2004). Source: CIA-The World Factbook