Jeddah is the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh and the country’s main commercial center. Located in the Hejaz region along the Red Sea coast, it is the largest city in Mecca Province. The city’s metropolitan area is coterminous with Jeddah Governorate. With a population of 3,751,722, Jeddah is among the largest cities in the Middle East. The city extends for about 70 kilometers and is home to Jeddah Islamic Port, one of the busiest ports in the region. Its prominence grew in 647 CE when the Caliph Uthman designated it as the main port serving travelers to Mecca.