Mecca (also written Makkah) is a city in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia, about 70 km (around 43 miles) inland from the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah.

Where is Mecca exactly?

  • Country: Saudi Arabia, in the Middle East on the Arabian Peninsula.
  • Region: The Hejaz (a mountain-strip region along Saudi Arabia’s western side).
  • Nearby major city: Jeddah, on the Red Sea coast, lies roughly to the west of Mecca.
  • Coordinates: Approximately 21.4° N latitude and 39.8° E longitude.
  • Terrain: Located in a narrow valley about 277 m (909 ft) above sea level, surrounded by the broader Arabian Desert.

Why is Mecca important?

  • It is considered the holiest city in Islam and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad.
  • It contains the Kaaba within the Great Mosque (Masjid al-Haram), the focal point toward which Muslims face in daily prayer.
  • Each year, millions of Muslims travel there for the Hajj pilgrimage, which is a religious duty for those who are able.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.