Mecca, also known as Makkah, is a city located in the western region of Saudi Arabia, specifically in the Hejaz area. It lies inland from the Red Sea coast, about 70 to 73 kilometers (43 to 45 miles) east of the city of Jeddah, situated in a narrow valley approximately 277 meters (909 feet) above sea level
. The precise geographic coordinates of Mecca are approximately 21.4225°N latitude and 39.8233°E longitude
. Mecca is the capital of the Mecca Province and is the holiest city in Islam, being the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba within the Masjid al-Haram mosque, toward which Muslims direct their prayers
. It is located in the Ṣirāt Mountains and has a metropolitan population of around 2.4 million as of 2022, which significantly increases during the annual Hajj pilgrimage when millions of Muslims visit the city
. In summary, Mecca is in western Saudi Arabia, inland from the Red Sea, in the Hejaz region, near Jeddah, at coordinates roughly 21.42°N, 39.82°E
