Nejd

Nejd (nejd) [key]or Najd (näjd) [key], region, central Saudi Arabia. Riyadh, the country's capital and major city, is located there. The Nejd is a vast plateau from 2,500 to 5,000 ft (762–1,524 m) high. There is a chain of oasis settlements in the eastern section; elsewhere the area is roamed by nomadic Bedouins. The Nejd, the stronghold of the Wahhabi movement, was gradually conquered (1899–1912) from Turkey by the Wahhabi leader, Ibn Saud. From there he completed his conquest of the Hejaz and Al Hasa. In 1932 the Nejd became part of his newly constituted domain, Saudi Arabia.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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