Hejaz

Hejaz is a province in the west of Saudi Arabia, stretching along the Red Sea (Sea of Hejaz). It extends from Taif, in the south, to Jordan, in the north. Hejaz has spiritual, cultural, economic and touristic importance, especially in connection with Islam. Hejaz was an independent kingdom from 1916 to 1926 when Saudi Arabia conquered it. The region has four important cities:

  • Jeddah is the largest city and is in the middle of the Red Sea coast. Jeddah is the economic and tourism capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Mecca is the holy city for Muslims because of Al-Haram Mosque and Al-Kaaba. Muslims face the city when they pray, and millions go there every year for the Hajj, the main Muslim pilgrimage.
  • Medina is the second most holy city and was the first capital of Islam. It has the Mosque of Prophet Muhammad, where the Prophet Muhammad lived. There are many monuments and historical places.
  • Taif is the youngest city. It is a tourist city in Saudi Arabia because the climate is cooler than the region's other cities.
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