MAKKAH

MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMA ARABIC

Mecca , also spelled Makkah Arabic Makka (in full: Makka al-Mukarrama arabic)‎, literally: Honored Mecca) is a city in Saudi Aeabia. Home to the Masjid al-Haram, it is the holiest city Islam and plays important role in the faith. As of 2008 the Haji pilgrimage attracts two to three million pilgrims to the city, and presents both opportunities for the city's economy, and challenges for its infrastructure. Culturally, the city is modern, cosmopolitan and ethnically diverse. Islamic tradition attributes the beginning of Mecca to Ishmael's descendants. In the 7th century, the Islamic prophet Muhammad proclaimed Islam in the city, by then an important trading center, and the city played an important role in the early history of Islam. After 966, Mecca was led by local sharifs, until 1924, when it came under the rule of the Saudis. In its modern period, Mecca has seen a great expansion in size and infrastructure. The modern day city is located in and is the capital of Saudi Arabias Makkah Province, in the historic Hejaz region. With a population of 1.7 million (2008), the city is located 73 km (45 mi) inland from Jeddah, in a narrow valley, and 277 m (910 ft) above sea level.