924 



ARABIA. 



to the well of Zemzen , situated in the same temple, where they take large draughts, and un- 

 dergo a thorough ablution in its holy waters. Another ceremony, considered as of equal vir- 

 tue, is the pilgrimage to Mount Arafat, situated about 30 miles to the south of the city. The 

 population of Mecca, formerly estimated at 100,000, is now reduced to 60,000, the resort of 

 pilgrims within a few years having been greatly interrupted. Jidda, on the Red Sea, serves as 

 the port of Mecca. It is the principal place on that sea, and is strongly fortified and occupied 



'.dina is also a sacred city of the Mahome- 

 tans. One of the mosques contains the 

 tomb of the prophet, and another is vene- 

 rated as having been erected by him. The 

 inhabitants live by the gifts sent from pious 

 Mussulmans in all quarters, to obtain their 

 prayers, and by the concourse of pilgrims. 

 Population, 8,000. The ancient Edom, 

 or Idumtea, contains some well-watered 

 valleys, and presents monuments of the 

 power and commerce for which it was an- 

 ciently celeb.-ated. The ruins of its cap- 

 ital, Petra, have lately been discovered, 

 which display great magnificence ; many 

 of the edifices were cut out of the sohd 

 rock. 



On the northern part of the Red Sea, 

 stands Jlkaha, a little village, near the site 

 of which is the port of Esiongeber, from 

 wTiich the ships of Solomon sailed to Ophir, and by which the Phoenicians carried on their 

 commerce with India. To the west are Mount Horeb, upon which God appeared to Moses, 



and commanded him to deliver his 

 countrymen ; and Mount Sinai, 

 upon which he gave the law. Here 

 is a monaster)', armed with cannon, 

 and accessible only by means of a 

 rope. 



The Imamat of Yemen is a 

 powerful State in the southwest. 

 The capital and residence of the 

 Imam is Sana, built in the midst 

 of a fertile plain, and surroimded 

 witli high brick walls and towers. 

 Population, about 30,000. Mocha, 

 situated near the southern extremi- 

 ty of Arabia, is the principal port 



on the Red Sea, and the channel 



Mount Sinai through which almost all the inter- 



course of Europe with this part of 

 the world is carried on. The great article of export is coffee, which is celebrated as the finest 

 in the world ; the population is estimated at 5,000. 



The Imamat of Mascat on the eastern coast, is likewise an important State. The Imam re- 

 sides at Mascat or Muscat, a large city, surrounded with gardens and groves of date trees. It 

 is the centre of an active commerce with India, and a great market for pearls. The govern- 

 ment of the Imam is the most tranquil and beneficent of any in the maritime parts of Persia or 

 Arabia. All the ports upon this coast are tributary to him, and he has subjected Socotra, 

 Brava, Zeu, Zibar, and other important points on the African coast. He also holds the 

 islands of Kishma and Ormuz, in the Persian Gulf, and a considerable extent of the Persian 

 coast around Gombroon. This capital has a spacious and secure harbor, though difficult of 

 access, and is become a general depot for the merchandise of Persia, India, and Arabia. 



The kingdom of the Wahabites, who a few years since had reduced a great part of the pe- 

 ninsula, but were overthrown by the arms of the Egyptians, is in the region of Nedshed. The 

 eapital, Derriah, was destroyed in 181S. 



by an Egyptian garrison. Population, 40,000. 



Pilgrims on their way to titc Tornb of Mahomet. 



