Je suis arrivé en Arabie saoudite | Riyad et les traces ottomanes 🇸🇦

Riyad, situated in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, has evolved from a tribal settlement in the Nejd region into a modern megacity. Its origins trace back to the 18th century when the alliance between Mohammed bin Saud and Mohammed bin Abdulwahhab laid the foundations of the Saudi state. The first Saudi state, the Emirate of Diriyah, rose to prominence before being destroyed by the Ottoman Empire in 1818. A second Emirate of Riyadh emerged, but internal conflicts and rival dynasties led to its fall in 1891. In 1902, Abdulaziz bin Saud seized the Masmak fort, unifying the Nejd tribes and eventually conquering Mecca and Medina, culminating in the proclamation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. The discovery of oil in 1938 transformed the nation from a desert kingdom into a global energy powerhouse, propelling Riyad into rapid urban development. Today, the city boasts a population of over seven million, towering skyscrapers such as the Kingdom Tower, and ambitious projects under Vision 2030 aimed at positioning Riyad as a world-class metropolis.