Contest #39 Answer

Lots of people got this one right. The answer is of course the Masjid al-Haram, the Sacred Mosque, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is the focal point of Islam and the direction to which all Muslims pray five times each day. The large black cube in the middle is the Kaaba. Inside the Kaaba is the Black Stone.

I have often wondered what place on Earth has been view in person by the most living human beings. The Eiffel Tower? Time Square? St. Peter’s Basilica? A good candidate would have to be the Masjid al-Haram. About 4m people per year make the Haji to Mecca to visit.

Most people can’t visit however, as Mecca is closed to all non-Muslims.

Looking at the satellite photo, I’m fascinated by the buildings across the street. Are they offices or hotel? How much does it cost to have a view of the Mosque? Who owns the property there? Who owns the Mosque? (the Saudi Royal Family I assume)

A note, that the leaderboard will reset after contest #40, so everyone new will have a shot at climbing to the top. I’m going to let the winner pick the locations for the next set of contests.

Getting this one right:

  • Brian
  • Ewen
  • Antha
  • Enrique S
  • Wolfpackman92
  • Matt S
  • Charlie My Boy
  • Andy McConnell
  • Dr. Ben Bayer
  • Chad G.
  • Jordi H
  • Jasen
  • PK
  • ACG
  • Bas
  • Nathan D
  • Karel
  • Devin
  • Skip from Austin

Mecca
Image by the Madesen Collection, 1910


Image by Ammar abd Rabbo