Al-Hejaz, also
Hijaz ( , literally "the barrier"), is a region in the west of present-day
Saudi Arabia. It is bordered on the west by the
Red Sea, on the north by
Jordan, on the east by
Najd, and on the south by
Asir. Its main city is
Jeddah, but it is probably better known for the Islamic holy cities of
Mecca and
Medina. As the site of Islam's holy places, the Hejaz has significance in the
Arab and Islamic historical and political landscape.