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WELCOME TO SAUDI ARABIA! (:

In this wikispace, we will be discussing the following in our virtual tour of Saudi Arabia:

-Environment

-Scope of Imperialism

-Human Rights

-Global Interdependence

I HOPE YOU'RE EXCITED!!!! ;D

Environment:



Day 1:

Today I learned that, Saudi Arabia covers most of the Arabian Peninsula. It is also bordered by the Red Sea on the western side, and by the Persian Gulf on its eastern side. The eastern side of Saudi Arabia is flat and sandy although, most of Saudi Arabia is desert. The central region consists of a plateau that is hot and arid in the summer and cold in the winter. The western region consists of mountain regions and also gets enough rainfall to preserve agriculture. The plants in the warm, desert climates have learned to adapt to the warm weather. (Ex: Tamarind Tree, Cacti, and acacias.) The country of Saudi Arabia has minor natural water resources. The country also suffers from the affects of oil spills and industrial development.

I also learned that, Saudi Arabia is also about the size of one fifth of the continental U.S. That is about 829, 995 sq. miles! Saudi Arabia has a population of 27 million and that throughout the entire country, there are many different environments ranging from forests, to grasslands, to deserts, and mountain ranges. Due to this, the temperature also fluctuates in regions. In some places, the temperature can reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and in others it can get to be below freezing! Saudi Arabia doesn't get that much rainfall (an average of 4 inches per year).



Scope Of Imperialism:

Day 2:

Saudi Arabia doesn't really have a very long history pertaining to imperialism. Besides being partially colonized by Turkey and the British Empire, throughout its history, no one was really interested in occupying a desert which consisted of scattered tribes. At the time no one had discovered that Saudi Arabia had oil. Also due to the scattered tribes, governing the country would be difficult. The only thing that Saudi Arabia is sought after for nowadays is oil.

In a current article about the relationship between America and Saudi Arabia, it is becoming increasingly apparent that America is imperializing. Not only is it using Saudi Arabian Military Bases, and establishing their own, but it is also using it for its oil strategy. America started its relations with Saudi Arabia in 1937, and when they discovered oil, it was a great victory. This was due to the fact, that Saudi Arabia was the first oil country that the U.S had occupied before the British. Because the U.S was establishing so many influential things in Saudi Arabia and making it's opposition to Islam more apparent (due to it's involvement in Arab Springs and other operations), this allowed some problems to form. Although it was simply a theory, some believe that the reason for 9/11 was due to some of the efforts of imperialization on Saudi Arabia because 15 of the 19 suicide bombers, were born in Saudi Arabia. This theory is based off current research that shows growing anti-americanism in some areas of Saudi Arabia.

Human Rights Issues:

Day 3:

Today, I learned about 3 events pertaining to Human Rights Issues in Saudi Arabia.

Issue 1- Saudi Arabia has cracked down on people protesting human rights violations. Because the Constitution gives all power to the King, it bans any political institutions outside of the government and not only does the government discriminate against political institutions and campaigns, it also discriminates against women who have been promised the right to run in elections for the Shura Council. []

Issue 2- Saudi Arabia uses its counter-terrorism campaign to detain those who oppose their government and who want a democratic government. When the court made rulings on cases, 289 Saudi Arabians, and 49 Foreigners received 30 year sentences for opposition. []

Issue 3- Detention of children and discrimination against women. Women cannot act on their own and have to have the consent of a male. Children can be sentenced to death and jailed for minor offenses. []

Government and Global Interdependence:

Day 4:

Economy and Global Interdependence:

I learned that America depends on Saudi Arabia for oil, while Saudi Arabia depends on the U.S to help provide higher education to its people. Saudi Arabian economy depends on its oil production. This is about 20 million barrels per day and is expected to increase to 28 million per day by 2025 because of the increase in demand. []

Considering that controlling the border of Yemen with Saudi Arabia is very hard to do and that extremists are becoming more apparent, this could cause oil production to be threatened in Saudi Arabia and oil would cost 150.00 per barrel, which is very bad for the economy due to the demand. This was stated in website describing the problems that small economies have. []

Saudi Arabian Government:

The Saudi Arabian Government consists of an Islam based monarchy. The King and the Council of Ministers handle all government related issues. The Crown Prince is appointed to take the place of the King when he passes. The King also gets advise from the Shura Council. The judicial system of the country is based on Islamic Law (Shariah Law). Shariah Courts hear most cases but the King is the highest court of appeals. []