Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Jeddah (جدة) is a major port city located on the Red Sea coastal plain in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia. It is a key cultural, transportation, business, and economic hub, and the largest city in Mecca Province. The city is home to one of the largest ports in the Middle East and serves as an important center for commerce, logistics, and emerging technology sectors.

Jeddah holds great importance for the Muslim world due to its proximity to Mecca. Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014, highlights the city’s historic role as the main gateway for pilgrims traveling to Mecca and Medina, and features distinctive Hijazi architecture shaped by the Red Sea trade routes.

Modern Jeddah is an open and cosmopolitan city, strongly connected to the global economy through trade, tourism, and international travel. Major tourist attractions include Al-Rahmah Mosque, Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum, the Jeddah Regional Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography, Jeddah Municipality Tower, Jeddah Flagpole, Al Jawharah Tower, King Fahd’s Fountain, and the Nassif House Museum. The city is served by King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah Islamic Port, the Haramain High-Speed Railway, and Highway 40.

Jeddah also hosts prominent events such as the Red Sea International Film Festival and the Jeddah International Book Fair. The city and its surrounding area are home to several major universities as well, including King Abdulaziz University, the University of Jeddah, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.