Mecca, also known as Makkah, is a city in Saudi Arabiaia. It is the holiest city in Islam and is located in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabiaia. Mecca lies inland from the Red Sea, east of the coastal city of Jeddah.
Mecca Location on the Map
About Map: The map shows the location of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, highlighting its geographic position within the Middle East region.
About Mecca
Mecca, also known as Makkah in Arabic and Bakkah in ancient times, is a city in western Saudi Arabiaia that is situated inland from the Red Sea coast in the Ṣirat Mountains. Mecca is the most sacred city in Islam and the capital city of Saudi Arabiaia's Mecca Province. Mecca is located in the Hejaz region, a strip of mountains 200 km broad that divides the Nafud desert from the Red Sea. Mecca, which is situated at an elevation of 277 m (909 feet) above sea level at latitudes of 21º23' north and 39º51' east, is one of the lowest cities in the Hejaz region in terms of elevation. The modern Mecca covers an area of over 1,200 km2 (460 sq mi)
Islam is often seen as having its origins in Mecca. Most people agree that Mecca is "the fountainhead and cradle of Islam." Islam honors Mecca as the birthplace of its prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe Prophet Muhammad received the Quran for the first time in the Hira cave on top of Jabal al-Nur, also known as the "Mountain of Light," just outside the city. At least once in their lives, every committed and capable Muslim attempts to do the hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca. Only Muslims are permitted entry into the city due to its religious nature.
Mecca city underwent substantial renovations in the 20th and 21st centuries. The space around the holy sites was cleared, the mosque was increased, living conditions and hygienic conditions were improved, and transportation options were improved. Mecca can accommodate the growing number of pilgrims, or hajjis, as a result.
Mecca has a high population density. The majority of people live in the old city, while the densities in the city's modern residential areas are the lowest. During the month of pilgrimage, the city is overrun with one to two million worshippers from all over Saudi Arabiaia and other Muslim countries.
12 Best Places to Visit in Mecca
- Masjid Al-Haram – The largest mosque in the world and home to the Kaaba
- Kaaba – The holiest site in Islam where Muslims perform Tawaf
- Zamzam Well – Sacred well believed to have healing and spiritual benefits
- Abraj Al Bait (Clock Tower) – Iconic tower complex with hotels, shopping mall, and Islamic museum
- Jabal Al-Nour (Hira Cave) – Famous mountain where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received the first revelation
- Mount Arafat (Jabal Arafat) – Known as the Mount of Mercy and key location during Hajj
- Mina – Tent city area used during Hajj for major rituals
- Muzdalifah – A stop between Arafat and Mina where pilgrims collect stones for rituals
- Masjid Al-Jinn – Historic mosque where a group of jinn pledged allegiance to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
- Masjid Aisha (Taneem Mosque) – Popular Miqat for pilgrims performing multiple Umrah
- Makkah Museum – Cultural museum featuring Islamic artifacts and historical exhibits
- Jabal Thawr – Mountain where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Abu Bakr (RA) took refuge during Hijrah
Mecca City Facts
| Official Name | Makkah al-Mukarramah |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Region | Hejaz (Western Saudi Arabia) |
| Province | Makkah Province |
| Location | Western Saudi Arabia in the Hejaz region, about 70 km (43 miles) inland from the Red Sea |
| Coordinates | 21.3891° N, 39.8579° E |
| Elevation | Approximately 277 m (909 ft) above sea level |
| Founded | Ancient city with origins tracing back to antiquity; important Islamic center since the 7th century CE |
| Population (2024 Estimate) | Approximately 2.2–2.4 million |
| Religion | Islam (Holiest city in Islam; non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the central city area) |
| Language | Arabic (Official) |
| Time Zone | UTC +03:00 (Arabia Standard Time – AST) |
| Country Calling Code | +966 |
| Area Code | 12 |
| Nearest Major Airport | King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah) |
| Major Highways | Route 15, Route 40, Mecca–Jeddah Expressway |
| Climate Type | Hot desert climate (BWh – Koppen classification) |
| Annual Pilgrimage | Hosts millions of Muslims annually for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages |
| Key Landmark | Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) and the Kaaba |
| Currency | Saudi Riyal (SAR) |
| Official Website | https://www.mm.gov.sa/ |
Distance from World Cities to Mecca
- Medina, Saudi Arabiaia – 450 km (280 mi)
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabiaia – 85 km (53 mi)
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabiaia – 870 km (540 mi)
- Cairo, Egypt – 1,300 km (808 mi)
- Alexandria, Egypt – 1,650 km (1,025 mi)
- Istanbul, Türkiye – 2,200 km (1,367 mi)
- Ankara, Türkiye – 2,450 km (1,522 mi)
- Amman, Jordan – 1,200 km (746 mi)
- Jerusalem, Palestine – 1,250 km (777 mi)
- Damascus, Syria – 1,450 km (901 mi)
- Baghdad, Iraq – 1,400 km (870 mi)
- Basra, Iraq – 1,200 km (746 mi)
- Tehran, Iran – 1,950 km (1,212 mi)
- Mashhad, Iran – 2,650 km (1,646 mi)
- Muscat, Oman – 2,000 km (1,243 mi)
- Doha, Qatar – 1,260 km (783 mi)
- Kuwait City, Kuwait – 1,200 km (746 mi)
- Dubai, UAE – 1,600 km (995 mi)
- Abu Dhabi, UAE – 1,700 km (1,056 mi)
- Sana’a, Yemen – 1,020 km (634 mi)
- Aden, Yemen – 1,250 km (777 mi)
- Khartoum, Sudan – 1,200 km (746 mi)
- Tunis, Tunisia – 3,100 km (1,926 mi)
- Algiers, Algeria – 3,600 km (2,237 mi)
- Casablanca, Morocco – 4,800 km (2,983 mi)
- Rabat, Morocco – 4,750 km (2,952 mi)
- Dakar, Senegal – 6,300 km (3,915 mi)
- Islamabad, Pakistan – 3,200 km (1,988 mi)
- Lahore, Pakistan – 3,600 km (2,236 mi)
- Karachi, Pakistan – 2,900 km (1,801 mi)
- Kabul, Afghanistan – 2,900 km (1,801 mi)
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – 3,500 km (2,174 mi)
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan – 3,700 km (2,299 mi)
- Jakarta, Indonesia – 7,300 km (4,536 mi)
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 6,600 km (4,101 mi)
- Dhaka, Bangladesh – 5,100 km (3,169 mi)
- Colombo, Sri Lanka – 4,000 km (2,485 mi)
- Delhi, India – 3,400 km (2,113 mi)
- Mumbai, India – 3,100 km (1,926 mi)
- Hyderabad, India – 3,500 km (2,175 mi)
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