Location and area
Makkah al-Mukarramah Region is one of the thirteen administrative regions of Saudi Arabia. Its administrative capital and the seat of its emirate is the city of Makkah. It borders Riyadh Region to the east, al-Madinah al-Munawwarah Region to the north, Asir and al-Baha regions to the south, and the Red Sea to the west.
It covers about 137,000 km², roughly 7% of the Kingdom, making it the fourth-largest region after the Eastern Province (540,000 km²), Riyadh (380,000 km²) and al-Madinah (150,000 km²). The region lies on the Arabian Shield, whose deep layers hold little groundwater, but its surface water is renewable.
Climate and water
The climate is transitional between Mediterranean and monsoon influences, with tropical fronts reaching the region in summer. The average annual temperature is about 31°C and average humidity about 46%. Makkah is hotter year-round than Jeddah and Taif, and rainfall ranges from its lowest in Jeddah Governorate to its highest in Taif Governorate.
The region has about 57 dams with a combined capacity of around 86 million m³, and about 61,000 agricultural holdings as of 2019.
Population
The 2022 Saudi Census counted 8,021,463 people, about 24.9% of the Kingdom's population. That makes it the second most populous region after Riyadh, and the second most densely populated, at about 58 people per km².
Jeddah Governorate has 3,751,722 residents, 46.7% of the region, making it the Kingdom's second most populous city after Riyadh. The city of Makkah has 2,427,924, or 42.7% of the region. Taif Governorate counted 913,374 people in 2022, up from about 580,000 in 2010.
Emirate and administration
The region has 16 governorates and 128 centers. The nine Category A governorates are Jeddah, Taif, al-Qunfudhah, al-Lith, Rabigh, Khulais, al-Khurmah, Ranyah and Turabah; the seven Category B governorates are al-Jumum, al-Kamil, Maysan, al-Muwayh, Adham, al-Ardiyat and Bahrah. Four governorates lie on the Red Sea coast. Taif is the largest governorate in the region by area and the seventh largest in the Kingdom.
After the founding of the Kingdom, the region was under royal administration for 34 years, run by Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as deputy to the founder, King Abdulaziz, and later as Crown Prince under King Saud. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal has been governor since 1436 AH (2015). A royal order on 28 Jumada al-Ula 1445 AH (12 December 2023) appointed Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz deputy governor at the excellent rank.
The Holy City and its pilgrims
Makkah holds the Grand Mosque and, within it, the Holy Kaaba, which Muslims everywhere face in prayer. The region also contains the holy sites where the rites of Hajj and Umrah are performed, among them Mina and Arafat. The boundaries of the Haram are marked by 1,104 markers surrounding Makkah on all four sides.
In 2023 Makkah received about 13.5 million Umrah performers, and 1,845,045 pilgrims performed Hajj. The region hosts the headquarters of the Muslim World League and of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the second-largest international organization by membership after the United Nations.
Heritage and culture
Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2014. It grew into a major port from the 7th century AD, channelling goods to Makkah, and Caliph Uthman ibn Affan made it the city's official port. The inscribed property covers 17.92 ha, about a third of the old walled city, and is known for its tower houses with ornate wooden roshan balconies, built by merchant families in the late 19th century, along with lower coral-stone houses, mosques, ribats, souqs and small squares. Jeddah is also known for its waterfronts.
Taif sits in the centre of the region on the eastern slopes of the Sarawat Mountains, about 1,800 m above sea level, and is the Kingdom's most popular summer destination. About 650 million roses are produced there each year, processed by more than 70 distilleries and workshops; planting begins in December, pruning is done by mid-January and harvest starts at the end of March. Its landmarks include Shubra Palace (1905) and the Mosque of Abdullah ibn Abbas, and the al-Hada road over Aqabat al-Kurr links it with Makkah over 87 km.
North of Taif city lies Souq Okaz, the pre-Islamic market where Arabs gathered for twenty days from the start of Dhu al-Qa'dah to trade and recite poetry. It was revived in 2007 after a break of about 1,300 years.
Economy and ports
The region contributes about 13% of the Kingdom's GDP and ranks second after Riyadh in its share of economically active people (22%) and of family businesses (28%).
King Abdullah Economic City was established on the coast of Rabigh Governorate in 2005 and covers 181 km². Its King Abdullah Port ranks first in the region for growth in container handling, and Alphaliner listed it among the world's fastest-growing ports in 2018.
Transport
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is the main air gateway for most Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Taif International Airport, about 27 km north of the city, serves Taif and its surroundings.
King Salman inaugurated the Haramain High-Speed Railway on 25 September 2018. It links Makkah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, King Abdullah Economic City and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, and is described as the sixth-largest transport project in the world.