Short answers, pulled from the story.
The fossilized primate named Saadanius was discovered in the year 2010 in the valley that would become known as Mecca. This discovery revealed that 28 million years ago the arid landscape was once a damp forest teeming with life. The ancient ecosystem was located near the Red Sea and served as a stark contrast to the dry, rocky terrain that defines the city today.
Abraha, the Christian ruler of Yemen, marched upon Mecca in approximately 570 with the intent to destroy the Kaaba. His forces included war elephants, one of which, named Mahmud, famously refused to enter the city. This event, known as the Year of the Elephant, is also believed to be the year of Muhammad's birth.
Muhammad began receiving divine revelations in the Cave of Hira in 610. These revelations were delivered by the archangel Gabriel and marked the beginning of Islam. Muhammad and his followers faced persecution from the Quraysh for 13 years before emigrating to Yathrib in 622.
The city was sacked by the Qarmatians in 930, and they stole the Black Stone to eastern Arabia. The Black Stone was not returned until 952, an event that highlighted the city's vulnerability to external threats. This incident occurred during the medieval period when Mecca remained a city of devotion rather than political power.
Mecca received over 10.8 million international visitors in 2023. The city's population has grown to 2.4 million, with pilgrims tripling the number of residents during the Hajj season. These developments have made Mecca one of the most visited cities in the world.
The Hajj attracted nearly 2.5 million pilgrims in 2019. The city's population swells to over 2 million during the pilgrimage, creating a unique cosmopolitan atmosphere. The Masjid al-Haram serves as the focal point of the pilgrimage, housing the Kaaba and the Zamzam Well.