Beyond the Headlines: Saudi Arabia from Bedouin culture to a leading power

As the kingdom celebrates its 90th anniversary this week, we reflect on the growth of one of the Middle East's most important countries from a tribal Bedouin culture to one of the leading forces in the region.

It is a history that charts the development of the modern world – where the rise of oil as the basis of the world economy tracks the rise of Saudi Arabia as the largest producer of crude.

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  Northern Borders Municipality is ready to welcome the 90th National Day with pride and joy. SPA

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  Northern Borders Municipality is ready to welcome the 90th National Day with pride and joy. SPA

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  Al Wajh prepares for the 90th National Day with images of joy and pride draped in the Kingdom's flag. SPA

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  Northern Borders Municipality is ready to welcome the 90th National Day with pride and joy. SPA

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  Northern Borders Municipality is ready to welcome the 90th National Day with pride and joy. SPA

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  The municipality of the Quorum Division is prepared for the celebration of the 90th Saudi National Day. SPA

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  Eastern Region is decorated in green on the occasion of the 90th Saudi National Day. SPA

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  Tabuk Municipality allows citizens and residents of the region to share their feelings on the 90th Saudi National Day. SPA

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  Rafha wears green and decorations in celebration of Saudi National Day. SPA

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  Tabuk Municipality allows citizens and residents of the region to share their feelings on the 90th Saudi National Day. SPA

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  Rafha wears green and decorations in celebration of Saudi National Day. SPA

In just a few short generations, the kingdom has gone from the harsh reality of life in largely hot and dusty deserts to glittering skyscrapers that rise in downtown Riyadh.

While many of the old ways have been swept aside, the kingdom has retained its traditional roots, preserved its heritage and – in recent years – opened up and begun to attract the outside world.

Under King Salman, women can now drive, tourists are welcomed and the country’s overwhelmingly young population has seen a cultural revolution unknown in its history.

This week, Balquees Basalom joins from the kingdom to chart that course, speaking with Marcel Kurpershoek, a Senior Humanities Research Fellow at NYU Abu Dhabi who has been researching oral narratives in Arab culture for over 3 decades. She is also joined by Nadia Abdulwahab is a Lecturer in English Literature at Umm Al Qura University, the oldest university in Saudi Arabia.