Mecca ( Arabic: مكة, Makkah), also transliterated as Makkah , is a city in theHejaz and the capital of Makkah Province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located 70 km (43 mi) inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of 277 m (909 ft) above sea level. Its resident population in 2012 was roughly 2 million, although visitors more than triple this number every year during the hajj ("pilgrimage") period held in the twelfth Muslim lunar month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Some Facts about Makkah :
Birthplace of Muhammad - Located in souther part of Hijaz
- Most loved place of Almighty Allah
- Founded by the prophet Ibrahim Al- Khalil
- Surrounded by dry hills and mountains
- Monuments are: Birthplace of the Holy Prophet (may the blessing and peace of Allah be upon him and his pure progeny), Sayyidatu Khadijah's house, Al-Ar'qam house, Graveyard of Al-Mu'ali, Birthplace of Sayyidatu Fatimah (peace be upon her), Imam Ali's birthplace (peace be upon him), Grave of Aaminah bintu Wahab, the Holy Prophet's mother (may the blessing and peace of Allah be upon him and his pure progeny) ـ Jabalu An-Nur, Ghar Hiraa, Dar Al-Khizraan.
A pilgramage to Mecca is required of all Muslims as one of the five pillars.
One of the most important cities in the region was Makkah. Makkah was located about 55 miles from the borders of the Red Sea. Its location along the Red Sea and also along important trade routes made it a good location for controlling trade in the region.
The importance of Mecca for Muslims is inestimable. All Muslims, wherever they are on the earth, are required to pray five times a day in the direction of the Ka'bah in Mecca. The direction of prayer is known as the qiblah.Muslims regard the al-Masjid al-Haram as the holiest place on Earth. Both the mosque and the city itself are strictly off-limits to non-Muslims.
The focal point of Mecca is the Ka'bah, the "House of God", believed by Muslims to have been built by Abraham and his son Ishmael, and is covered in a gold-embroidered black fabric. The Pilgrims circle the Ka'bah seven times and may also try to touch or kiss its cornerstone, the Black Stone. Pilgrims then drink from the well of Zamzam. The water of Zamzam is believed to have special properties and is alleged to have health benefits. Few pilgrims return from the Hajj without a large plastic bottle of the Zamzam water.
For Muslims, a pilgrimage to Mecca is required as one of the Five Pillars of Faith of the faith. In recent years, about two to three million have gathered for the major pilgrimage or Hajj, during the Muslim month of Dhu'l-Hijjah, and many more perform the minor pilgrimage or Umrah, which may be performed at any time of year.
Arabians would travel hundreds of miles in great pilgrimages to visit the Kaaba in the city of Makkah so that they could faithfully worship their gods. This brought additional wealth and prosperity to the city, and became an important part of their economy. 
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