Mecca or Makkah is an Islamic holy city in Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Province, in the historic Hejaz region. It has a population of 1,294,167 (2004 census). The city is located 73 kilometres (45 miles) inland from Jeddah, in a narrow valley, 277 metres (910 ft) above sea level. It is located 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the Red Sea. Historically, the city has also been called Becca.

The city is revered by Muslims for containing the holiest site of Islam, the Masjid al-Haram (The Sacred Mosque) of Mecca. A pilgrimage to Mecca during the week of the Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a sacred duty that is required of all able-bodied Muslims who can afford to go, at least once in their lifetime. People of other faiths are forbidden from entering the city.

The English word mecca (uncapitalized), meaning “A place that is regarded as the center of an activity or interest” or “A goal to which adherents of a religious faith or practice fervently aspire.” is borrowed from Mecca.

From Flickr.com

and

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia