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The sacred city of the Muslims, Mecca – not a lost little place in the wilderness, but a huge city, the world center of Islam, a center and point of attraction for all Muslim pilgrims. The multitudinous Mekka lies in the midst of the mountain valley, surrounded by the heights and treetops of Tihama. It is very hot and extremely dry, but it is also one of the most popular tourist cities on the planet. However, Mecca may be visited by one who believes in Allah.
Mecca is mentioned in the works of ancient writers, in particular those of Ptolemy, who called it Maccoraba. This settlement was a major Arabian nomadic settlement of the Arabian Peninsula and a major trading center. In 571, Mohammed, the prophet of Islam, was born in Mecca. In 630 he returned to Mecca as a warrior of Allah, but the city surrendered without a fight, and Mohammed called upon the Mohammedans to make a palaver to Mecca. Since then, Mecca has always been under the protection of the Near Eastern Sultans, but in different states. The city did not suffer from destruction and destruction after its Islamic center. Only the nominal rulers of the territory around Mekka changed. Mecca has been part of Saudi Arabia since its declaration of sovereignty in 1932 under the rule of the Saudis.
Mecca is visited every year by several million pallbearers from every continent. All of them are directed toward the Al-Haram (Western Church). It was built in 638 and is considered the most important temple in Islam since the first stone was laid. It is also, at the same time, the greatest mystery of the planet. Capable of accommodating nearly a million people (during the Hajj & ndash; five million), it keeps the legendary shrine of Kaba within its walls. A huge black cube-shaped structure with an 11-meter border – the first place on the planet where anyone has ever worshipped Allah. One of the faces of the Kaaba has been embedded in it, or the Black Stone, which, according to legend, has been in the sea for some time. The kaba was built by the first king Adam.
The largest sky-scraping complex on the planet, complete with a 601-meter tower, the «Clock Royal Tower (2012) – both a residential complex and the business core of Mecca, will rise near Al-Haram. The fields of the paddies in the Menin Valley look fascinating. It is the largest palaver city on Earth, housing many thousands of pilgrims. The city and its environs are imbued with the spirit of Islam, every place is sacred and has its own history.
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- Tap water: No, not drinkable
- Religious government: Religious
- Population: 1,500,000 people
- GDP: $19,817 / year
- Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
- Power outlets: 115V230V60Hz
- Internet: 10 Mbps
- Best wireless: STC
- Tipping: Tipping is expected to be between 10% and 15% for good service, unless there is a service charge added to the bill. If there is a service charge there is no need to tip, unless the service was exceptional. If your food is delivered you should tip between 1 and 3 SAR.
- Apartment listings: La Mudi
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best taxi: Careem
- Best short-haul air carrier: Qatar
- Best intl air carrier: Emirates
- Monthly costs for expat: $500
- Monthly costs for family: $1000
- Monthly costs for local: $290
- Meal: $8
- Small Cola: $1.3
- Beer 1 Pint: $4
- Coffee: $1.3
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