Jeddah

Overview

Jeddah (Arabic: جدة) is a city on the Red Sea coast of western Saudi Arabia and the second-largest city in the Kingdom. It is the principal port of the Red Sea and the main gateway for pilgrims travelling to Makkah.

History

Jeddah has been a port for over a millennium and was the historic entry point for pilgrims arriving by sea. Its old town, Al-Balad, with its distinctive coral-stone houses and wooden rawashin balconies, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Economy

Jeddah is the commercial capital of the Kingdom and the location of the Jeddah Islamic Port, the largest port on the Red Sea. It hosts the headquarters of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Landmarks

The city is known for the Jeddah Corniche and its open-air sculpture museum, the King Fahd Fountain, and the historic Al-Balad district.