Medina also is known by its official name Al-Madinah is one of the three holiest cities mentioned in Islam. Chronologically speaking, Al-Madinah is the second most pious city in Islam, after Mecca and the third holiest city in Islam is Jerusalem. Its name also has an underlying meaning that translates into "the Radiant City, or "The city of Prophet" in English.

Al-Madinah is situated about 340 km north of the holy city "Makkah". The story of how the city got the attention is a distinct story of its own. Prophet Muhammad and his followers relocated from Mecca to the city of Medina after a plot to kill him were unveiled. The whole migration of the religious leader along with his followers is also known as "Hijra". This is also the same time when the Islamic calendar or the "Hijri Year" started the exact date of which is around 622 AD.

Since then the town of Al-Madina then known as Yathrib became famous. Al-Madinah is also known as the very same place from where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) started the Muslim community. It is also the same place where his body is buried, and the tomb lies in the chief mosque of the city. The tomb where the Prophet is entombed is marked by a bright green coloured dome.
 

• The city of Al-Madinah lies about 2,050 feet above sea level and on an oasis.
• The city is located geographically in the Hejaz location towards the western side of Saudi Arabia.
• The overall distance of the city from the Red Sea is 100 miles and about 270 km from Mecca by road.
• As the city is considered very religious by the Islamic community, the entry of non-Muslims into its premises is strictly prohibited.
• Non-Muslims who wish to see the city can, however, get a grand view of the city from the plane before landing at the airport.
• The very first mosque in Islamic history, the mosque of Quba is also present in the city. It is the first-ever place of worship for Muslims and the Prophet himself laid the first stone of foundation.
   

Al-Madinah is a municipality that is governed by Madinah Regional Municipality. The current mayor of the city is Khalid Taher, and the Provincial Governor is Prince Faisal Bin Salman.

Al-Madinah

The city has a total area of 589 sq.km in which the urban area comprises 293 sq km, and the rural area is 296 sq km.
 

The city of Medina is famous for its date palms and other fruits which are processed and exported to other parts of the world. Medinah's major economy is driven by the cultivation of cereals, vegetables, and fruits.

Jewellery, armoury, and metalworking are some of the other small-scale business which operates in the city of Medinah. Although other occupations like tile making, automobile, carpentry are there in the city, Agriculture technology is the prime amongst them all.

In the early 1900's Medina was connected with the city of Damascus by the Hejaz Railway station. The station was however demolished in World War 1, and since then the reconstruction of the railway station has never taken place.

A railway that connects Medina with Jiddah has been constructed and works effectively till today. There are other roadways that connect the different cities like Mecca, Jidda, and Yanbu and link them to Medina.

Another roadway that stretches from the north of Hejaz connects Medina to Jordan. The other modes of transportation in the city is through buses, taxis, car rentals, and ride with locals. Buses are the most inexpensive way of moving from the airport to the city of Al-Madinah.

Taxis might be slightly more expensive for the wallet but will easily drop you to the city centre. The third option is to rent a car, and the last option is to travel with the locals. Al-Madinah is also popularly known for its airport, Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International airport.