Saudi Arabia is a unique country at least in three specific details. One it possesses more than a quarter of the global oil reserves has been the largest oil producer for over half a century and is the only producer with a spare production capacity today. Two the holiest Islamic shrines are located in Makkah and Medina placing the country in the epicentre of the Muslim sacred space. Three it is one of the last surviving ruling monarchies and the only one that has named the country after its own family name.