Travel in Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia - Culture

Al Madinah city lies north of Mecca. The tomb of Mohammed is in the mosque at Medina, the second most holy Muslim city after Mecca. The Prophet's Mosque dominates the Madinah skyline. King Fahd, who oversaw the latest expansion of the mosque, wrote an inscription on the base of the last of the 23-foot brass crescents that top its six new minarets. Prophet Muhammad spent the last years of his life in this city, in Madinah he and many of his companions are buried.

The Islamic University was founded in 1961. Population (1991 est): 400 000. Saudia, the Kingdom's national airline, operates non-stop flights between Madinah and many other Saudi cities. There are also international non-stop flights between Madinah and Cairo, Damascus, and Istanbul. During the season of hajj and the vacation periods of the academic year, many additional flights are provided.

Madinah's altitude of 1,958 feet / 597m above sea level gives it a somewhat extreme climate - very hot in summer, moderate in autumn and cold in winter. Its generally fertile soil is given a boost in more rocky and arid areas, by the addition of clay-bearing soil, which is brought in from nearby to assist in landscaping. This is later mixed with crushed sand, peat moss, dried manure, and compost to balance the mineral content of the soil, thus increasing its fertile qualities. This prepared soil mixture is used particularly in the planting of the date palm.

Date palms line Madinah's streets and highways in profusion, and the city authorities are constantly planting even more, together with many multi-coloured shrubs. It is almost impossible to find a park or garden in the city without at least one palm tree.

The date palm (botanical name phoenix dactylifera) belongs to the class Monocotyledons and the family Palmae. It has provided mankind with food (pictured) and building materials since the dawn of time and can be found from the Canary Islands across northern Africa to the Middle East; from India and Pakistan to southwest Asia.

Horticultural experts believe that the date palm has been cultivated since about 6000BC, and every part of the tree has its uses.

Saudi Arabia's dress is one of its strongest ties to the past and reflects the challenging environment, faith and value of its people. The practicality of loose, flowing garments in a hot wind-swept climate was reinforced by the Islamic ideals of propriety dress and conduct.

Local food is often strongly flavoured and spicy. The staple diet is pitta bread (flat, unleavened bread) that accompanies every dish. Rice, lentils, chick peas (hummus) and cracked wheat (burghul) are also common. The most common meats are lamb and chicken. Arabic coffee and fruit drinks are popular alternatives.