Jeddah

Jeddah lies on the Red Sea coast in the Hijaz region of Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Mecca Province and the country's second-largest city after the capital Riyadh. The city is an important commercial center.

Jeddah's importance grew in 647 when the Caliph Uthman made it a travel hub for Muslim travelers going to Mecca for Islamic pilgrimage. Since then, it has welcomed millions of pilgrims.

Today, Jeddah has a population of about 3,751,722 people, making it the largest city in Hejaz and the ninth-largest in the Middle East. Jeddah Islamic Port is one of the world's biggest seaports.

The city is very close to Mecca Sharif, the holiest city in Islam, and also near Medina, the second-holiest city. Jeddah is working to grow in science and engineering.

Because of its location by the Red Sea, Jeddah's food culture features lots of fishing and seafood. In Arabic, the city motto is "Jeddah Ghair", meaning "Jeddah is different".

Etymology and spelling

There are different ideas about where the name Jeddah comes from. One common story says it comes from the Arabic word "Jaddah," meaning "grandmother." Some people believe this is because the Tomb of Eve is thought to be in Jeddah.

A traveler named Ibn Battuta visited Jeddah around the year 1330 and wrote its name as "Jiddah" in his diary. For a long time, some British groups used the spelling "Jedda," but in 2007, they changed it to "Jeddah." Today, "Jeddah" is the most commonly used spelling.

History

See also: Timeline of Jeddah

Pre-Islam

There are signs of people living in the area long ago, found in old writings on rocks near the city. The oldest special building in Jeddah goes back to a time before Islam.

Some think Jeddah was already a place where fishermen lived long before a famous leader named Alexander the Great visited the area. The city may have been a place for rest and starting journeys for many years. Records show Jeddah has been a home for over 2,500 years.

Old diggings in the city suggest it started as a small fishing place led by a group of people from Yemen. They left to live in Mecca after a big dam broke in Yemen in 115 BC.

Under the Caliphates

Jeddah became important around the year 647 when a leader named Uthman Ibn Affan made it a main port for Mecca.

Later, leaders from a place called Umayyads ruled the area. Pirates once tried to take over Jeddah, but the city stayed busy with fishermen and people traveling to Mecca for a special journey.

In 750, new leaders called Abbasids took control. Later, leaders from Egypt called Tulunids also tried to rule the area for some time.

In 930, other groups attacked nearby holy cities. It is possible Jeddah was attacked too, but we do not know for sure.

The Fatimids, Ayyubids, and Mamluks

In 969, leaders called Fatimids from Algeria took over and built strong trade links across many lands, including faraway China.

Later, a leader named Saladin started a new group called Ayyubids. Jeddah joined them in 1177. During this time, the city grew and learned from people coming from far away places.

In 1258, leaders called Mamluks took control after another big city fell.

A famous traveler named Vasco da Gama from Portugal came looking for new sea routes. Leaders in Jeddah built strong walls around the city to protect it.

Ottoman Empire

Main articles: Hejaz Vilayet and Attack on Jeddah (1541)

In 1517, leaders called Ottoman Turks took over the area. They built strong walls with watchtowers to keep the city safe.

Jeddah became very important to the Ottoman leaders. The Portuguese tried to attack again in 1541 but were stopped.

Some old parts of the city walls still exist today. Sadly, in 1858, a fight broke out where many people were hurt.

First Saudi State and Ottoman–Saudi War

Main article: Ottoman-Saudi War

In 1802, forces from a place called Nejd took over Mecca and Jeddah from the Ottomans. Later, leaders from Egypt helped the Ottomans take the city back.

World War I and the Hashemite Kingdom

Main articles: Arab Revolt and Kingdom of Hejaz

During World War I, a leader named Sharif Hussein bin Ali led a fight against the Ottoman Empire, hoping for an independent Arab country.

He made a new kingdom called Hejaz. Later, he fought with another leader named Ibn Saud. Hussein stepped down, and his son took over but lost the city soon after.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Ibn Saud took control of Jeddah in 1925. He added the title King of Hejaz to his other titles.

Old walls and doors of the city were taken down in 1947. A first airport opened in 1952. Some very old buildings were sadly destroyed by a fire in 1982, but many were saved.

The city grew quickly along the coast.

In 2021, leaders started a big project to renew part of Jeddah, which changed many neighborhoods. Some people had very little time to leave their homes. Leaders said they would help many of those affected.

Geography

Jeddah is a city in Saudi Arabia, sitting along the Red Sea coast in a place called the coastal plain. It is found in a region known as Hijazi Tihama, which lies at the bottom of the Hijaz mountains. Over time, Jeddah has been an important city in the history and culture of the area.

Climate

Jeddah has a very dry climate, with very hot summers and mild winters. While winters are still warm compared to other cities in Saudi Arabia, summers can get extremely hot, often going above 40 °C. Rain is rare but can happen in small amounts during November and December, and sometimes there are big storms in the winter. The city can also see dust storms, especially in the summer, which blow in from the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula or from North Africa.

Economy

Jeddah has always been a busy port city. Long before it became the port for Mecca, it was a key trading place for the area. In the 1800s, the city exported items like mother-of-pearl, tortoise shells, frankincense, and spices. Many goods arriving in Jeddah were sent on to places like the Suez, Africa, or Europe.

All the major cities in the Middle East and North Africa are just a short flight from Jeddah, making it the second most important business center in the Middle East after Dubai. The city's industrial area is also one of the largest in Saudi Arabia, coming after Riyadh, Jubail, and Yanbu.

King Abdullah Street

King Abdullah Street is one of Jeddah’s most important roads. It stretches from the waterfront in the west all the way to the eastern edge of the city. Many big companies and shops are located along this street. It will be close to the new train station that connects Jeddah to Makkah, Al-Madinah, and King Abdullah Economic City. The street is also home to the world’s second tallest flagpole, standing 170 meters (558 feet) tall.

Tahliyah Street

Main article: Tahliya Street

Tahliyah Street is a popular place for shopping and fashion in central Jeddah. It features many upscale stores and boutiques, along with plenty of fine dining spots. Although the government renamed it “Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz Road,” many people still call it Tahliyah Street.

Madinah Road

Madinah Road is a historic street in Jeddah that connects the southern and northern parts of the city. It houses main offices and showrooms for several companies. The road often has heavy traffic because its northern end links to the King Abdul Aziz Int'l Airport.

Culture

Religious significance

Most people in Jeddah follow Sunni Muslims. The city has many mosques, and laws help keep the community united in its beliefs. Some people also follow Shia Muslims, and many visitors come from around the world for important religious events like the Hajj.

Cuisine

Jeddah's food comes from many places. Local dishes include Saleeg and Hareira soup. Popular meals also come from other parts of Saudi Arabia and countries like Turkey, Yemen, and South Asia. One famous local restaurant, Al Baik, is known for its special chicken and seafood.

Open-air art

In the late 1970s and 1980s, Jeddah began adding art to public spaces. Today, the city has many sculptures in places like roundabouts. These artworks show items important to Saudi culture, such as coffee pots and palm trees.

Museums and collections

Jeddah has many museums, including the Jeddah Regional Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography and the Nasseef House. These places help people learn about the city's history and culture.

Events and festivals

Red Sea International Film Festival

Jeddah hosts the Red Sea International Film Festival, which started in 2020.

Jeddah International Book Fair

The Jeddah International Book Fair began in 2015 and happens every December. It is one of the largest book fairs in Saudi Arabia.

Jeddah Season

Jeddah Season is a big event that began in 2019. It includes many activities and shows to celebrate Saudi culture and history. Most events happen at places like King Abdullah Sports City and the Jeddah Waterfront.

Media

Jeddah has many newspapers, such as Asharq Al-Awsat, Al Madina, and Arab News. The city also has many television and radio stations, including Saudi TV2 and the Jeddah TV Tower. There are also many blogs and websites that share news and information.

Accent

Main article: Hejazi Arabic

People in Jeddah speak a special way of saying words called the Hejazi dialect. It is easy to recognize and is one of the most well-known accents in the Arabic language.

Cityscape

Old Jeddah

Main article: Al-Balad, Jeddah

The Old City, known as Al-Balad, has many traditional buildings and old homes. Even though newer buildings have replaced some of these, the Old City still helps people remember the history of Jeddah and the Hijaz area. In 2014, it was named a special place by UNESCO. Since then, many old buildings have been fixed up and opened for visitors. In 2019, an important leader in Saudi Arabia asked the culture department to restore 50 historical buildings in Jeddah. The Old City also has several old mosques and a museum called Bayt Naseef. This museum shows furniture and designs from homes built about 150 years ago.

Resorts and hotels

Jeddah has many lovely places to stay, such as Durrat Al-Arus, Al-Nawras Mövenpick resort, Crystal Resort, Radisson Blu, The Signature Al Murjan Beach Resort, Al Nakheel Village, Sands, and Sheraton Abhur. Many of these places are known for their beautiful Red Sea views and coral reefs nearby.

Consulates

Jeddah is home to one of the two consulates of the United States in Saudi Arabia. It also has consulates from 67 other countries. Some of these countries include Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, France, Germany, Greece, Turkey, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Italy, Russia and Mainland China. Other consulates belong to countries in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League.

Historical Jeddah

Main article: Al-Balad, Jeddah

Historical Jeddah is found on the eastern side of the Red Sea. Starting in the 7th century AD, it became an important port for trade across the Indian Ocean, helping goods reach Mecca. It was also where many visitors arrived by sea to visit Mecca. Because of these roles, the city grew into a busy place with many different cultures. It has special buildings, like tall houses made in the late 1800s by rich families, mixing styles from the Red Sea coast with ideas from places far away.

The old part of Jeddah, called Al-Balad, was protected by walls built when the Ottomans ruled. Inside, the city had different areas for trading and markets called souks and khans.

Harrat Al-Mathloum (District of the Wronged)

In the northeast part of Jeddah, this area remembers Abdulkarim Al-Barzangi, a local leader. Some important places there are:

• Dar Al-Qabil
• Dar Al-Ba'ashin
• Dar Al-Sheikh
• The Al-Shafi'i mosque

The oldest mosque in the city, its minaret was built in the 1300s, and its pillars are from Ottoman times.

• Mosque of Uthman bin Affan

Also called the Ebony Mosque for its two dark pillars, it was written about by travelers Ibn Battuta and Ibn Jubayr.

• Al-Mia'mar Mosque

An old mosque from the 1600s.

• Souq Al-Jama

One of the oldest markets in the city.

Harrat Al-Sham (The Levantine District)

In the north, this area is named for where it faces. Some of its places are:

• Dar Al-Sadat
• Dar Al-Serti
• Dar Al-Zahid
• Dar Al-Banajah
• Al-Basha Mosque

Built by Bakr Basha, who governed Jeddah in 1735.

Harrat Al-Yemen (The Yemeni District)

In the south, this area is named for where it faces. Its important spots include:

• Bait Nasseef

The most famous building in the old town, built in 1881 for Omar Nasseef Efendi, who governed Jeddah at the time. It was later used as a home for King Abdulaziz after he took control of the city.

• Dar Al-Jamjoom
• Dar Al-Sha'araoui
• Dar Al-Abdulsamad
• Dar Al-Kayal
• Bait Al-Matbouli
• Bait Al-Joghadar

Harrat Al-Bahar (The Seafront District)

In the southwest, some places to see are:

• Dar Al-Nas
• Dar Al-Radwan
• Dar Al-Nimr

Main sights

Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum

The Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum opened in 1996. It shows the rich history of Jeddah, including items from long ago and from different cultures that lived in the area. The museum is located in the city center and has many interesting objects from past times.

King Fahd's Fountain

Main article: King Fahd's Fountain

King Fahd's Fountain was built in the 1980s and can be seen from far away. It shoots water very high—so high that it is the tallest fountain in the world. The fountain was a gift to Jeddah from King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz.

Al-Rahmah Mosque

Main article: Al-Rahmah Mosque

Al-Rahmah Mosque is sometimes called the floating mosque because it was built over water. It mixes old and new styles of building and is a favorite place for both visitors and locals to relax near the sea.

King Saud Mosque

Main article: King Saud Mosque

King Saud Mosque was built in 1987. It is the largest mosque in Jeddah and shows beautiful designs from Islamic architecture.

King Abdullah Sports City

Main article: King Abdullah Sports City

King Abdullah Sports City is a big stadium where people can watch football and other sports. It opened in 2014 and can hold over 60,000 people, making it the largest stadium in Jeddah.

NCB Tower

Main article: National Commercial Bank (Saudi Arabia)

NCB Tower was built in 1983 and was once the tallest building in Saudi Arabia. It was the country’s first bank.

IDB Tower

Main article: Islamic Development Bank

The IDB Tower is the home of the Islamic Development Bank. This bank helps countries work together and develop. It started in 1975 after leaders from many countries met to create it.

Jeddah Municipality Tower

Jeddah Municipality Tower is the main office for the city of Jeddah. Plans are for this tower to become the tallest building in the world. Building started in 2013, but there have been delays. Work is continuing, and the tower might be finished by 2029.

King Road Tower

Main article: King Road Tower

King Road Tower is a tall building used for offices and businesses. Its walls have large screens that show advertisements, and it even has a landing spot for helicopters on the roof.

Al Jawharah Tower

Main article: Al Jawharah Tower

Al Jawharah Tower is a tall residential building. It became the third-tallest building in Jeddah when it was finished in 2014.

Jeddah Flagpole

See also: Jeddah Flagpole

In King Abdullah Square, there is a very tall flagpole with the Saudi flag on top. It was the tallest flagpole in the world until a new, even taller one was built in Egypt.

Entrance of Mecca

Bab Makkah, also called Makkah Gate, is an old stone entrance to a historic part of Jeddah. There is also a special gate called the Makkah Gate outside the city that leads to Mecca, the birthplace of Muhammad. This gate looks like a book, showing respect for the Quran.

Jeddah Waterfront

See also: Jeddah Corniche

The Jeddah Waterfront opened in 2017. It covers a big area along the Red Sea and includes beaches, places to sit, restaurants, parks, fountains, playgrounds, and even Wi-fi.

Education

Schools, colleges and universities

See also: List of universities and colleges in Saudi Arabia

Jeddah has many schools and universities. As of 2005, there were 849 schools for boys and 1,179 schools for girls. Most schools teach in Arabic, with English as a second language. Some private schools, especially those run by other countries, teach in English.

Jeddah is home to many universities and colleges, including King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, among others.

The city also has many international schools, such as the American International School of Jeddah and the British International School of Jeddah.

Libraries

King Abdulaziz University has a big central library with many books in Arabic and English. It is open to the public.

There is also the King Abdul Aziz Public Library, which focuses on Islamic and Arabic history. It has sections for men, women, and children.

A new public library, the King Fahd Public Library, opened in 2014. It is very large and has books and materials for people of all ages, including special spaces for children and young people.

Sports

Jeddah is home to two famous football clubs, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli. They play their games at King Abdullah Stadium, located in the north part of the city near the airport. The city also hosted the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.

Jeddah has a basketball team, Al-Ittihad, which plays in the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Basketball Arena. The city will host car races on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit along the Red Sea until 2030. In 2022, a driver from Mexico named Sergio Pérez achieved an important racing milestone after many races.

Transport

Airport

Main article: King Abdulaziz International Airport

Jeddah is served by King Abdulaziz International Airport. The airport has four passenger terminals. One is the Hajj Terminal, a special outdoor terminal covered by large white tents, which was built to handle the more than two million pilgrims who pass through the airport during the Hajj season. The Southern Terminal is used by Saudia and Flynas, both based in Saudi Arabia, while the Northern Terminal serves foreign airlines. The Royal Terminal is a special terminal reserved for VIPs, foreign kings and presidents, and the Saudi royal family. A plan for the extension of the airport is being developed.

Before King Abdulaziz Airport opened in 1981, Kandara Airport served Jeddah. It was located in a neighborhood very near the town center. However, the old Jeddah airport experienced heavy congestion, especially during Hajj seasons. After the airport became defunct, the area was redeveloped for housing.

Seaport

Jeddah Seaport is the 40th busiest seaport in the world as of 2022^[update]. It handles the majority of Saudi Arabia's commercial movement.

Jeddah is part of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road that runs from the Chinese coast to the Upper Adriatic region with its rail connections to Central and Eastern Europe.

Road and rail

Highway 40, which begins in Jeddah, connects the city to Mecca, Riyadh and Dammam on the east coast. Jeddah does not have any rapid transit system, but the Haramain High Speed Railway provides a connection to Mecca and Medina.

There is a contracted plan to build an extensive light metro system known as the Jeddah Metro, throughout the city, originally by 2020. Jeddah's main highways run parallel to each other.

Issues and challenges

Jeddah faces several challenges that affect its residents and visitors. The city struggles with pollution, including air pollution on hot days and pollution from industrial areas and the seaport. Efforts are being made to improve the environment, but challenges remain.

Traffic is a big issue in Jeddah, with crowded roads and not enough public transportation. Plans are in place to build new roads and bridges to help ease traffic jams. The city also has problems with its sewage system, which sometimes leads to untreated water being released into the sea.

Jeddah has experienced serious flooding in the past. Heavy rains have caused streets to flood, damaging cars and homes. These floods have sometimes led to unfortunate accidents, and the city continues to work on improving its drainage systems to prevent future flooding.

Districts

Jeddah, a big city in Saudi Arabia, has many different parts called districts. These districts each have their own names, like Al-Murjan, which means "The Coral," and Al-Basateen, meaning "The Orchards." There are 141 districts in total, making Jeddah a lively and varied place to live or visit. Some districts are known for special features, such as being near the beach or close to important universities.

Twin towns – sister cities

Jeddah has many sister cities around the world. These cities are connected to Jeddah, showing friendship and cooperation. Some of these cities include:

• Adana, Turkey
• Alexandria, Egypt
• Almaty, Kazakhstan
• Amman, Jordan
• Baku, Azerbaijan
• Chittagong, Bangladesh
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Istanbul, Turkey
• Jakarta, Indonesia
• Karachi, Pakistan
• Kuching, Malaysia
• Marbella, Spain
• Mary, Turkmenistan
• Oran, Algeria
• Osh, Kyrgyzstan
• Plovdiv, Bulgaria
• Surabaya, Indonesia
• Taipei, Taiwan
• Tunis, Tunisia