Jeddah
Jeddah is a major Saudi port city on the Red Sea, serving as a commercial hub and a gateway for pilgrims traveling to Mecca.
Port of Jeddah: Saudi Arabia’s principal Red Sea port, located in Jeddah. The port anchors Jeddah’s role in maritime trade and supplies much of the country’s imports.
Historic Jeddah: Jeddah’s historic district, known for coral-stone architecture and traditional merchant houses. Its preserved buildings trace the old city’s growth through trade and pilgrimage.
Sharif of Mecca: A title held by descendants of Muhammad who governed Mecca and, at times, the surrounding Hejaz. Sharifs governed the region that included Jeddah before Saudi rule.
Hejaz: A region of western Arabia that includes Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah. Jeddah is the Hejaz’s principal port and largest urban center.
Roshan: A projecting wooden window or balcony feature found on traditional houses in western Arabia. Historic Jeddah’s roshan façades reflect local craftsmanship and adaptations to heat and privacy.
King Abdulaziz International Airport: An international airport in Jeddah and a major gateway for pilgrims visiting Mecca and Medina. Its Hajj Terminal handles large seasonal flows of pilgrims arriving by air.
Al-Balad: The historic center of Jeddah, with traditional houses, markets, and narrow streets. This old quarter preserves the urban core from which modern Jeddah expanded.
Ottoman Empire: A multi-ethnic empire that ruled parts of southeastern Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa from the late thirteenth century to 1922. Ottoman authorities governed Jeddah for centuries and fortified its coastal position.
Mecca Province: A province in western Saudi Arabia that includes Jeddah, Mecca, and Taif. The province links Jeddah’s coastal economy with inland cities and pilgrimage routes.
Coral-stone architecture: A building tradition using blocks made from coastal coral limestone, found in parts of the Red Sea region. Coral stone gives many historic Jeddah buildings their distinctive material character.