Mecca

Mecca (Arabic: مكة, romanized: Makkah; also spelled Makkah or Mekkah) is a city in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia and the plain of Tihamah in particular, and the capital of the Makkah Province. Its status as the holiest of Muslim cities is reflected in the fact that it is a pilgrimage site for the religion of Islam. It is one of the Two Holy Cities along with Medina, and the birthplace of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The Greater Holy Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) is located in Mecca and is the only mosque where the five daily prayers can be performed any time, unlike other mosques. It is also the place where the Kaaba and the Multazam are located. Mecca is a major hub for the worldwide Muslim community and the center of the Islamic world, and contains the greatest number of pilgrims during the Hajj. In 2020, the population was 2 million (1.7 million of which were foreigners), making it the sixth largest city in Saudi Arabia. Mecca is one of the most cosmopolitan and diverse cities of the Muslim world, despite having a population that is 95% Muslim. It is considered the holiest city in Islam, and the most visited place in the world. The city is served by the King Abdulaziz International Airport.