Makkah is the holiest city for Muslims, with the Holy Mosque and the Kaaba, which is considered the qibla of Muslims in their prayers. It is located in the west of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, about 400 kilometers from Medina in the southwestern direction, about 75 kilometers from the city of Taif in the western direction, and 72 kilometers from the city of Jeddah and the Red Sea coast, and the nearest ports to it is the Jeddah Islamic Port, and the nearest international airports to it is King Abdulaziz International Airport. Makkah is located at the intersection of latitude 25/21 north and longitude 49/39 east, and this location is considered one of the most difficult geological formations, as most of its rocks are very hard granite. The area of the city of Makkah is about 850 km², of which 88 km² is inhabited, the area of the central area surrounding the Grand Mosque is about 6 km², and the height of Makkah above sea level is about 277 meters.