Population density: 11/km² (30/mi²)

Main languages spoken: Arabic

The Saudis, who take their name from the ruling al-Sa'ud family, were united by conquest between 1902 and 1932 by King Abd al-Aziz al-Sa'ud. The vast majority are Sunni Muslims who follow a puritanical Wahhabi interpretation of Islam and embrace sharia (Islamic law). The politically dominant Nejdi tribes from the central plateau around Riyadh are Bedouin in origin. The Hejazi tribes, from the south and west, have a more cosmopolitan, mercantile background, but are largely displaced from politics. In the eastern Al-Hasa province there is a Shi'a minority of some 300,000, many of whom work in the oil fields. Women have to wear the veil, cannot hold a driving license, have little role in public life, and are effectively barred from the workplace except as teachers and nurses. In 2000, however, Saudi Arabia decided to sign the UN convention on women's rights – provided it did not contradict sharia – and in 2004 there were moves toward giving women the vote.

THE URBAN/RURAL POPULATION SPLIT

RELIGIOUS PERSUASION

ETHNIC MAKEUP

POPULATION AGE BREAKDOWN

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004