|
MiddleEast > SaudiArabia> Jeddah > Introduction
| J E
D D A H |
Jeddah began as a
modest port for pilgrim traffic and trade from Islamic times and is now one of the most
important commercial centres of Saudi Arabia. From about one sq km in size, it has
expanded to about 1000 times the original size. For the Muslims, Jeddah, known as the Hijaz,
is the most important city of Saudi Arabia's western region. Jeddah is by far the most
cosmopolitan city in the Kingdom. Thousands of pilgrims to Mecca travel to Jeddah seaport
annually as the first step of their pilgrimage to Mecca and Madinah.
Jeddah came under nominal Turkish control in the 16th century, though local rulers
still held a great deal of power and influence. The first foreign consuls arrived in
Jeddah in the first half of the nineteenth century. King Abdul Aziz and his troops took
control of the city in 1925 and afterwards, foreign representatives to his court lived in
Jeddah rather than Riyadh. The embassies remained in Jeddah until the mid-1980s when they
were all transferred to the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh. There are still a large number
of foreign consulates in Jeddah and the city has retained its importance as the commercial
capital of the nation, as well as the main port of entry for the millions of pilgrims who
visit the Holy Cities each year.
For detailed Country Information, click on Saudi Arabia. |
|
|
|
