Mecca

Mecca (also spelled Makkah) is a city in the Hejazi region of Saudi Arabia. The city is located 70 km (43 mi) inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of 277 m (909 ft) above sea level. Its resident population in 2012 was roughly 2 million, although visitors more than triple this number every year during the Ḥajj ("Pilgrimage") period held in the twelfth Muslim lunar month of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Etymology and usage

The English term "Mecca" is derived from the Arabic language term Makkah, which is used in the Quran in reference to the city. The term is also used in other languages.

History

Mecca is the birthplace of Muhammad and the site of Muhammad's first revelation of the Quran (specifically, a cave 3 km (2 mi) from Mecca), and is thus regarded as the holiest city in the religion of Islam.

Geography

Mecca is at an elevation of 277 m (909 ft) above sea level, and approximately 80 km (50 mi) inland from the Red Sea. Central Mecca lies in a corridor between mountains, which is often called the "Hollow of Mecca."

Climate

Mecca features a hot desert climate. Like most Saudi Arabian cities, Mecca retains warm to hot temperatures even in winter, which can range from 18 °C (64 °F) at night to 30 °C (86 °F) in the afternoon. Summer temperatures are extremely hot and can reach up to 45 °C (113 °F).

Economy

Mecca's economy has been heavily dependent on the annual pilgrimage. As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, every adult Muslim who is capable must perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime.

Culture

Mecca is the capital of the Makkah Province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located in the western part of the country. It is the most sacred city in Islam and is closed to anyone who is not a Muslim.

See also

• Kaaba
• Masjid al-Haram
• Hajj
• Umrah
• Black Stone

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