Hejaz Facts for Kids

Al-Masjid Al-Haram, which surrounds the Ka‘bah (middle), in Mecca, a very important city for Muslims, 2010.

The Hejaz is a special region in the western part of Saudi Arabia. It stretches along the coast of the Red Sea, which is sometimes called the Sea of Hejaz. This area goes from the city of Taif in the south all the way up to Khyber in the north. The Hejaz is important for many reasons, including its spiritual history, rich culture, and busy economy. It's also a popular place for tourists to visit.

Exploring Hejaz's Key Cities
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Exploring Hejaz's Key Cities

The Hejaz region is home to four very important cities. Each city has its own unique story and role.

Jeddah: The Coastal Hub

Jeddah is the biggest city in the Hejaz. It sits right in the middle of the Red Sea coast. Jeddah is like the main center for business and tourism in Saudi Arabia. It's a busy port city where many goods come in and out, and it's also a popular spot for visitors to enjoy the coast.

Mecca: The Holy City

Mecca is known as the holiest city for Muslims around the world. This is because it's home to the Al-Haram Mosque and the Kaaba, a very important building inside the mosque. Muslims pray five times a day, and they always face towards Mecca. Millions of Muslims visit Mecca every year for a special journey called the Hajj.

Medina: The Prophet's City

Medina is the second most holy city in Islam. It was the very first capital of Islam a long time ago. This is where the Mosque of Prophet Muhammad is located, and it's also where Prophet Muhammad lived. Medina has many old buildings and historical places that tell stories of early Islamic history.

Taif: The Cool Mountain Escape

Taif is the newest of these important cities. It's a popular tourist city in Saudi Arabia. People love to visit Taif because it has a much cooler climate compared to the other cities in the region. This makes it a great place to escape the heat and enjoy the mountains.

Images for kids

The city of Al-'Ula in 2012. You can see old buildings in the front and the Hijaz Mountains behind them.
The amazing rock-carved Qaṣr Al-Farīd at Al-Ḥijr (Hegra), also known as Madāʾin Ṣāliḥ.
Prophet Muhammad's Mosque in Medina, where he lived after moving from Mecca, 2010.
Harrat Khaybar, a volcanic field, as seen from the International Space Station.
Workers building tracks for the Hejaz Railway near Tabuk in 1906.
The flag of the Umayyad Caliphate, an early Islamic empire (661–750 AD).
Beautiful mountains near Ta'if in 2012.
The camp of Mina near Mecca, where Muslim pilgrims gather for the Ḥajj.
Pilgrims gathering at the plain of Mount Arafat.
Mount Uhud in the area of Madinah.
The old city area of Jeddah.
The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) campus at night.
A beach promenade in Al-Wajh.
Al-Bahah City, located high up in the mountains, about 2,155 meters (7,070 feet) above sea level.
Dhi 'ain village, located in Al Bahah Province.

Hejaz facts for kids

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