Riyadh

Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia.

It is located in the Najd region, on a high plateau. It was chosen as the capital of the Saud dynasty in 1824, and it was their capital until 1881, when the Rashid family acquired dominance of the Najd area. However, in 1902 Ibn Saud regained control of the area. When he proclaimed himself king of the new Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, he chose Riyadh as his capital, considering that Mecca and Medina were too holy for that purpose.

The country's oil wealth amassed since the 1930s has transformed Riyadh from a collection of mud-brick dwellings to a city with modern buildings, paved highways, new hotels, hospitals, and schools. The population has become relatively cosmopolitan. As well as its administrative role as the capital, Riyadh is the centre of commerce, education and transport. There are an oil refinery, chemical and plastics factories and international airport. There are good road and rail links to the coast.

The city has two universities: Riyadh University, founded in 1957, and the Islamic University of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud, founded in 1974.

The population is 4.5 million (2008) having grown from only 1.8 million in 1991.