Third Saudi State

The Third Saudi state is the heir to the two earlier Saudi states: the first and the second, founded by Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman (also known as "Ibn Saud"), who managed to capture the city of Riyadh on January 13, 1902. A long series of conflicts and conquests ultimately led to the establishment of the modern and contemporary Saudi state, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This article describes the origins and historical development of the current Saudi state. For information on its organization and structure, see Politics of Saudi Arabia.

Third Saudi State الدولة السعودية الثالثة (Arabic)
Flag Emblem
Motto: لا إله إلا الله، محمد رسول الله Lā ilāha illa allāh, Muḥammadun rasūlu allāh "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of God"[1][a] (shahada)
Anthem: النشيد الوطني السعودي "an-Našīd al-Waṭaniyy as-Suʿūdiyy" "Chant of the Saudi Nation"
Map of the countries that established the third Saudi state:   Emirate of Riyadh (1902–1913)   Emirate of Nejd and Hasa (1913–1921)   Sultanate of Nejd (1921–1926)   Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd (1926–1932)   Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (1932–present)
Capital and largest city	Riyadh 24°39′N 46°46′E
Official languages	Arabic[5]
Common languages	Arabic
Religion	Sunni Islam (official)[6]
Demonym(s)	Saudi Saudi Arabian
Government	Absolute monarchy
Preceded by Emirate of Jabal Shammar Kingdom of Hejaz Idrisid Emirate of Asir

History

The third Saudi state was known at the beginning of its reign as "the Emirate of Riyadh" (1902–1913) and "the Emirate of Nejd and Hasa" (1913–1921). After the overthrow of the rival Emirate of Ha'il gave the Emirate of Najd and Al-Ahsa control of the entire Nejd region, it became known as the Sultanate of Nejd. Abdul Aziz conquered the Kingdom of Hejaz in 1925. He raised Nejd to a kingdom in 1927, and his dominions became known as the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd and its annexes. Abdul Aziz administered the two portions of his dual kingdom separately until the annexation of the Southern Territory and the announcement of the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.^[7]

See also

• History of Saudi Arabia
• Unification of Saudi Arabia
• Sheikhdom of Diriyah
• Emirate of Diriyah
• Emirate of Nejd
• Emirate of Nejd and Hasa
• Emirate of Jabal Shammar
• Sultanate of Nejd
• Kingdom of Hejaz
• Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd

Notes

1. The Shahādah (Statement of faith) is sometimes translated into English as 'There is no god but Allah', using the romanization of the Arabic word Allāh instead of its translation. The word Allāh (Arabic: اللَّٰه) literally translates as God.^[2][3][4]