The history of Saudi Arabia prior to the 7th century is not well-documented. However, it is known that the region was home to nomadic tribes and that the people were primarily involved in hunting and herding.

In the 7th century, the Islamic prophet Muhammad united the tribes of Arabia under Islam, and the region became known as the Arabian Peninsula. The first Islamic state in the region was established in Medina in 622.

In the early years of Islam, the Arabian Peninsula was ruled by various caliphs or leaders of the Muslim community. However, in the 18th century, the Al Saud family established a state in the central region of the Arabian Peninsula, which would eventually become known as Saudi Arabia.

In the late 19th century, the Al Saud family formed an alliance with the religious leader Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, which helped to solidify their control over the region and spread their particular interpretation of Islam, known as Wahhabism.

In 1902, Abdul Aziz Al Saud, also known as Ibn Saud, captured Riyadh and began to consolidate control over the Arabian Peninsula. In 1932, he declared the area the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

During the 20th century, Saudi Arabia experienced significant economic growth due to the discovery and exploitation of oil reserves. The country also played a major role in regional and international politics, particularly in relation to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Gulf War.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has undergone significant social and economic changes, including increased modernization and the opening of the country to foreign investment. However, the country has also been criticized for its human rights record and for its role in the ongoing conflict in Yemen.

In the early 20th century, Saudi Arabia was a relatively poor and underdeveloped country, with a largely nomadic population. However, in 1938, oil was discovered in the country, and this brought significant economic growth and modernization. The oil industry quickly became the backbone of the Saudi economy, and the country's wealth and influence grew rapidly.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Saudi Arabia played a key role in the formation of OPEC (the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), and the country's oil wealth was used to finance development and modernization projects throughout the country.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Saudi Arabia's oil wealth allowed the country to exert significant influence in the Middle East and beyond. Saudi Arabia was a key supporter of Egypt after the Yom Kippur War in 1973, and the country played a major role in the negotiations that led to the Camp David Accords in 1978.

In the 1990s, Saudi Arabia was a key player in the Gulf War, and the country played a major role in the coalition that forced Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait. Since then, the country has played a significant role in the fight against terrorism, particularly after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

However, in recent years, Saudi Arabia has been criticized for its human rights record, particularly in relation to the treatment of women and political dissidents. Additionally, the country's involvement in the ongoing conflict in Yemen has also been criticized.

In recent years, the Saudi government has made efforts to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on oil. This has included the development of new industries such as tourism and the establishment of a number of economic free zones. Additionally, in 2017, the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, announced a major initiative called Vision 2030 which aimed to modernize and diversify the country's economy, and also reduce the role of the state in various sectors.

Despite these efforts, however, many challenges remain, including high youth unemployment and a lack of affordable housing. Additionally, the ongoing conflict in Yemen continues to put a strain on the country's resources and its international relations.