medina

Medina, officially al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah, is a city in the western part of Saudi Arabia. It is the capital of the Medina Province and a major religious and cultural center in the country. The city is one of Islam's two holiest sites, after Mecca.

Historically, Medina is central to the life of the Prophet Muhammad. It was the destination of his Hijra from Mecca in 622 CE, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar. The city is the site of the Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi), which houses Muhammad's tomb and is a focal point for Muslim pilgrimage alongside Mecca. Other significant sites include the Quba Mosque, traditionally regarded as the first mosque in Islam, and the Baqi Cemetery where early Muslims are buried.

Name and meaning: the city is known as al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah, meaning the Enlightened or Radiant City, a title reflecting its religious importance and the presence of the Prophet's Mosque.

Modern Medina is a bustling urban center with a population in the mid-mens around the 1.5 million range. Its economy relies on religious tourism, services, education, and government administration. The city contains educational institutions such as the Islamic University of Madinah and various research and healthcare facilities. The climate is hot desert, with very hot summers and mild, dry winters.

Medina can also refer to other places named Medina in different countries, and, in Arabic, medina is a generic term meaning “city” used in the names of historic town centers.